French choreographer Roland Petit dies at 87

[July 11, 2011]  PARIS (AP) -- Acclaimed choreographer Roland Petit, whose creations dazzled stages from Paris to Hollywood and inspired dancers, writers and designers has died in Geneva, aged 87.

The Paris National Opera announced Petit's death Sunday after getting word from his wife, Zizi Jeanmaire, a ballerina turned music hall performer who collaborated with her husband.

French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand , paying tribute to Petit, said that some of his works brought together designers like Yves Saint-Laurent for costumes, Picasso for decor and writer and poet Jacques Prevert.

He created 11 works for the Paris Opera, including "Notre Dame de Paris," and choreographed for Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn as well as for works like "Daddy Long Legs" with Fred Astaire in Hollywood.

[Associated Press]

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