People: Jul. 21, 1986

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No sooner had the last sparkle of the Liberty celebration faded than another French-American spectacle lighted up the night. Last week, as part of a ten-day France Salutes New York festival, the Paris Opera Ballet, making its first U.S. visit in 38 years, shared a stage with the American Ballet Theatre before a benefit audience brimming with celebrities, including Nancy Reagan. One highlight of the festivities was provided by Rudolf Nureyev, 48, the Paris troupe's artistic director, and Mikhail Baryshnikov, 38, his counterpart at A.B.T. The two Soviet-exile superstars joined French-born Actress Leslie Caron in a nostalgic recreation of dances from her movie musicals. The evening's host was another symbol of Franco-American cooperation, Gene Kelly, who starred in An American in Paris with Caron 35 years ago. Vive l'ensemble!