Mikhail Baryshnikov is considered by many experts to be the finest male ballet dancer in the world. He is famous for his brilliant, daring style. Since July, 1974, he has been famous for something else. That was when he defected from his native Soviet Union. In his homeland, he was showered with honors and awards. He earned a huge salary. He lived in a luxurious apartment.

What Baryshnikov did not have was artistic freedom. The government told him when and where to dance and what to perform. Eventually, his attachment to his homeland yielded to the dream to dance as he wanted.

MOVE TO THE U.S.

Baryshnikov came to the United States, where he joined the American Ballet Theatre and, later, the New York City Ballet. In...