Carla Fracci, frequent partner of the American ballet star Richard Cragun, who died yesterday at 67, remembers the dancer with the words of English poet W H Auden:

Dear Richard,

I honour your passing with these great words by Auden:

“The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.”

Goodbye, with love,

Carla Fracci
Rome, Italy