Ballet legend celebrated at gala

Stars from the Bolshoi, Berlin State Ballet, the Royal Ballet and Cuba's National Ballet performed Don Quixote.

Plisetskaya herself took to the stage for a tribute piece choreographed by France's Maurice Bejart.

The dancer, who won international fame in the 1960s in classics like Swan Lake, was a member of the Bolshoi for five decades.

Flamenco star Joaquin Cortes and China's Sao Lin monks also entertained the audience and breakdancers put their own interpretation on Ludwig Minkus' music from Don Quixote.

Congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who described Plisetskaya as "a great ballerina of modernity, celebrated on all continents", were read out.

Events to celebrate the birthday are to be held in London and Paris in February.