Iván Markó

Markó was born in Balassagyarmat.[1][4] He studied dancing at the Hungarian State Ballet Institute in Budapest.[1] After having graduated in 1967, Markó joined the Hungarian State Opera, where he became a principal dancer in 1971.[1]

Markó in 1979

In 1972 dancer, choreographer and opera director Maurice Béjart invited Markó to his Ballet of the 20th Century.[1][4] One of his best known roles was in Béjart's production of Stravinsky's Firebird.[1]

In 1974 he was ranked as one of the top ten ballet dancers worldwide.[1][4]

In 1979 Markó established the Győr Ballet in Győr, Hungary. He was director of the ensemble until 1991.[1]

Markó was a choreographer for the Bayreuth Festival from 1985.[1] He also worked at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance,[1] and as a guest choreographer for other companies.[1]

In 1996, he established the Hungarian Ballet Festival.[1]

Markó died in April 2022, at the age of 75.[1]

Markó was a recipient of the Kossuth Prize in 1983, and was also a recipient of the Meritorious Artist Prize and SZOT Prize,[1] and a member of the Society of Immortals from 2005.[1] In 2007, Markó was awarded the Hungarian Order of Merit.[1] He was also made an honorary citizen of his birthplace, Balassagyarmat.[1] Markó was a recipient of the Prima Primissima Prize in 2008.[1]

• Iván Markó at IMDb