TODAY 72 YEARS AGO, former Artistic Director of the Stuttgart Ballet Reid Anderson was born in New Westminster, Canada. Happy birthday Reid! In January 1969, he joined the Stuttgart Ballet at the invitation of John Cranko and became an integral part of the “Stuttgart Ballet miracle”. Under the direction of Marcia Haydée, he advanced to Principal Dancer, became Ballet Master - and ended his career to become a director himself in his native Canada. After leading the Ballet British Columbia and the National Ballet of Canada, he returned to Stuttgart after ten years and succeeded Haydée as Artistic Director in 1996. Until 2018, he successfully led the Stuttgart Ballet with a diversely conceived repertoire consisting of Cranko's works, 19th and 20th century masterpieces and numerous world premieres. With his unerring sense for talent and great art, he discovered and fostered many choreographers, mentored fledgling directors, commissioned over 120 world premieres and expanded the Stuttgart Ballet’s repertoire with over 100 company premieres.

Photo: Reid Anderson at his farewell gala with the Stuttgart Ballet, © Stuttgart Ballet