We have been saddened to hear of the death of Andris Toppe, who passed away in Melbourne on 20 February, 2016, aged 71.
Toppe's was a varied and full career that spanned many facets of the life of a dancer.
He was a dancer with the Australian Ballet (1964 – 1969) and Ballet Guild (later Ballet Victoria). However he is probably best known for his association with Sydney Dance Company and the former artistic directors, Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon. Toppe was a dancer with the company from its very beginnings, as well as a choreographer.
On receiving a study grant, he went to New York to study at the Juilliard School. He returned to Australia and freelanced as a choreographer for dance companies, musical theatre and commercial productions. For many years he was personal coach and rehearsal director to the superstar British ice skaters Torvill and Dean, working on all their world tours and shows between 1985 and 1998, choreographing and directing a number of these shows and assisting with their TV and video specials.
He continued his association with SDC throughout his life, as a performer and, from 2000 to 2008, as company manager. He continued to reveal his prowess as a performer in character roles, such as in Murphy's Nutcracker, the story of Clara for the Australian Ballet (most recently in 2009), the role of the photographer (Andy Warhol) in Shades of Gray, and in 2006 as one of the two Victorian ladies in Glimpses during seasons at the Sydney Opera House and on tour. In recent years he performed and choreographed for the Young Dancers of Central Queensland.
Off the stage, he held the position of company manager for the Australian visits of the Paris Opera Ballet, Hamburg Opera Ballet and the National Ballet of Cuba.
Early in January he was diagnosed with advanced cancer. He chose not to go through the ravages of chemotherapy and instead to spend the remaining time as comfortable as possible under palliative care.
Tributes from his friends and colleagues on his death are unanimous in their description of him as a gentle, kind and beautiful man. He will be sorely missed.
For his full biography, go to http://www.andristoppe.com.