OUR Lyn Saymourrenowned Canadian dancer and director of her ballet National Opera artistic season 2006/2007, died on Tuesday at the age of 84.

Simur led the ballet at the invitation of ELS Artistic Director Stefanos Lazaridis.

The entire announcement of the National Opera:

On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, renowned Canadian dancer and choreographer Lyn Cymour, who served as Director of the National Opera Ballet for the 2006/07 artistic season, passed away at the age of 84. Simur led the ballet at the invitation of the late artistic director of ELS Stefanos Lazaridis.

She was born on March 8, 1939 and took her first dance lessons in Vancouver. She completed her dance studies in London, where she soon became a member of the Royal Ballet’s touring company. Her rare talent, unique expressiveness, theatrical mind, combined with impeccable technique, soon led to a great career outside the country.

She inspired two of Britain’s most prominent choreographers, Frederick Aston and Kenneth Macmillan, who found her to be the perfect performer for many of their famous pieces. No less important than her performances in contemporary plays were her performances in 19th-century ballets. She has worked with leading ballet figures such as Rudolf Nureyev and Léonide Massine, while other choreographers such as Roland Petit and Alvin Ailey have inspired pieces especially for her. Her choreographies have been presented by the world’s leading dance groups. In recent years, she devotedly taught the works of her favorites Frederick Aston and Kenneth Macmillan.

Charismatic, uniquely gifted, her art has touched and inspired choreographers, dancers and audiences all over the world.