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Ballet Russe
Arrives in Paris
An All Star Cast of Russian Dancers
Twentieth century ballet began when a Russian theater director and entrepreneur named Serge Diaghilev brought his company, Ballet Russe, to Paris in 1909. He hand selected the cast of all star Russian dancers from the Russian Imperial Theatres to present new choreography in his company's premier Paris performance. For the next two decades, Diaghilev's company traveled throughout Europe, the United States, and South America presenting abstract, avant-garde works that shocked audiences. The dancer's technical virtuosity and artistry would astound the world and usher in a new era of ballet.
zoom_out_map
Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929)
Diaghilev was an impresario, first presenting art exhibits in Paris, then a series of concerts in Russian, and finally connecting with Russian dance. In 1909, he made a contract for a summer season of Russian ballet in Paris. He gathered an outstanding cast of dancers to present a diverse repertoire. The result was so successful that in 1911, he established the company as Diaghilev's Ballet Russe.
The framework of his vision was a stroke of brilliance. He drew on the talents of the greatest artist of the period, bringing to his company extraordinary groups of dancers, composers, choreographers, and painters.
Meet
The
Choreographers
zoom_out_map
Michel Fokine (1880-1942)
A Russian native, Fokine trained and performed in Russia before joining Ballet Russe as a dancer and choreographer. These are his best known works:
Les Sylphides (1909): This abstract ballet captures the essence of romantic style ballets.
Petrouchka (1911): The story of a sad clown puppet at a 19th century Russian carnival.
Firebird (1910):
A fairy tale in which a prince meets a magical firebird.
zoom_out_map
Leonide Massine (1896-1979)
Massine's ballets were often witty, sophisticated and filled with quirky gestures. His history with the Ballet Russe is extensive. However, in his later years he created an epic dance for film, The Red Shoes. He choreographed and danced the lead role, as the shoemaker in this film.
zoom_out_map
Vaslav Nijinsky (1890-1950)
Another Russian born dancer, Vaslav first joined Ballet Russe as a dancers, and then later emerged as a choreographer. He choreographed cutting edge ballets that sometimes shock audiences. His work as a dancer raised the bar for male dancers. His major choreographic contributions include the following:
Le Apres-mid-d un faune (Afternoon of the Faun, 1912): In this controversial ballet, Nijinsky used the music of French composer Claude Debussy and Greek sculpture as inspiration.
Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring, 1913): This avante-garde ballet used rhythm and movement to re-create and ancient ritual to music by Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky.
Dancers of the Ballet Russe
The company included the best young dancers and choreographers of the time period. A leading and famous Russian ballerina known for her beauty, and her tole in The Firebird was Tamara Karsavina. Serge Lifar debuted with the Ballet Russe in 1923, and is known as one of the greatest male dancers of the 20th century. Lifar later became the ballet master of the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the best ballet companies in the world. Anna Pavlova, regarded as one of the finest classical ballerinas in history was a star in this company, most recognized for her role in Fokine's ballet solo, The Dying Swan.
Ballet Russe
Arrives in Paris
An All Star Cast of Russian Dancers
Twentieth century ballet began when a Russian theater director and entrepreneur named Serge Diaghilev brought his company, Ballet Russe, to Paris in 1909. He hand selected the cast of all star Russian dancers from the Russian Imperial Theatres to present new choreography in his company's premier Paris performance. For the next two decades, Diaghilev's company traveled throughout Europe, the United States, and South America presenting abstract, avant-garde works that shocked audiences. The dancer's technical virtuosity and artistry would astound the world and usher in a new era of ballet.
zoom_out_map
Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929)
Diaghilev was an impresario, first presenting art exhibits in Paris, then a series of concerts in Russian, and finally connecting with Russian dance. In 1909, he made a contract for a summer season of Russian ballet in Paris. He gathered an outstanding cast of dancers to present a diverse repertoire. The result was so successful that in 1911, he established the company as Diaghilev's Ballet Russe.
The framework of his vision was a stroke of brilliance. He drew on the talents of the greatest artist of the period, bringing to his company extraordinary groups of dancers, composers, choreographers, and painters.
Meet
The
Choreographers
zoom_out_map
Michel Fokine (1880-1942)
A Russian native, Fokine trained and performed in Russia before joining Ballet Russe as a dancer and choreographer. These are his best known works:
Les Sylphides (1909): This abstract ballet captures the essence of romantic style ballets.
Petrouchka (1911): The story of a sad clown puppet at a 19th century Russian carnival.
Firebird (1910):
A fairy tale in which a prince meets a magical firebird.
zoom_out_map
Leonide Massine (1896-1979)
Massine's ballets were often witty, sophisticated and filled with quirky gestures. His history with the Ballet Russe is extensive. However, in his later years he created an epic dance for film, The Red Shoes. He choreographed and danced the lead role, as the shoemaker in this film.
zoom_out_map
Vaslav Nijinsky (1890-1950)
Another Russian born dancer, Vaslav first joined Ballet Russe as a dancers, and then later emerged as a choreographer. He choreographed cutting edge ballets that sometimes shock audiences. His work as a dancer raised the bar for male dancers. His major choreographic contributions include the following:
Le Apres-mid-d un faune (Afternoon of the Faun, 1912): In this controversial ballet, Nijinsky used the music of French composer Claude Debussy and Greek sculpture as inspiration.
Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring, 1913): This avante-garde ballet used rhythm and movement to re-create and ancient ritual to music by Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky.
Dancers of the Ballet Russe
The company included the best young dancers and choreographers of the time period. A leading and famous Russian ballerina known for her beauty, and her tole in The Firebird was Tamara Karsavina. Serge Lifar debuted with the Ballet Russe in 1923, and is known as one of the greatest male dancers of the 20th century. Lifar later became the ballet master of the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the best ballet companies in the world. Anna Pavlova, regarded as one of the finest classical ballerinas in history was a star in this company, most recognized for her role in Fokine's ballet solo, The Dying Swan.
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### Notes on Ballet Russe
**Introduction**
- **Ballet Russe** established in **1909** by **Serge Diaghilev** in Paris, marking the beginning of 20th-century ballet.
- Diaghilev gathered an all-star cast of Russian dancers from the **Russian Imperial Theatres**.
- The company presented **avant-garde** and **abstract works**, influencing ballet's evolution over two decades across Europe, the U.S., and South America.
**Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929)**
- He was an **impresario** who initially presented art exhibits and concerts before focusing on Russian dance.
- Secured a contract for a summer season of Russian ballet in Paris in **1909**.
- Established **Diaghilev's Ballet Russe** in **1911**, featuring a diverse repertoire and talented individuals from various artistic disciplines.
**Key Choreographers**
1. **Michel Fokine (1880-1942)**
- A former dancer and choreographer with Ballet Russe.
- Notable works:
- **Les Sylphides (1909)**: Romantic-style abstract ballet.
- **Petrouchka (1911)**: Tale of a sad clown puppet.
- **Firebird (1910)**: A prince's encounter with a magical firebird.
2. **Leonide Massine (1896-1979)**
- Choreographer known for witty and sophisticated ballets.
- Later created an epic dance for the film **The Red Shoes**, choreographed and danced as the shoemaker.
3. **Vaslav Nijinsky (1890-1950)**
- Initially a dancer before becoming a groundbreaking choreographer.
- Known for shockingly innovative works:
- **Afternoon of the Faun (1912)**: Inspired by Debussy's music and Greek sculpture.
- **The Rite of Spring (1913)**: Avant-garde ballet depicting an ancient ritual with Stravinsky's music.
**Notable Dancers of Ballet Russe**
- **Tamara Karsavina**: Celebrated Russian ballerina known for her beauty and role in *Firebird*.
- **Serge Lifar**: Debuted in **1923**, regarded as one of the greatest male dancers; later became ballet master at Paris Opera Ballet.
- **Anna Pavlova**: Renowned classical ballerina known for *The Dying Swan*, a solo piece choreographed by Fokine.
**Conclusion**
- Ballet Russe played a crucial role in transforming ballet through its innovative choreography and exceptional talent, setting the stage for modern dance.
**Introduction**
- **Ballet Russe** established in **1909** by **Serge Diaghilev** in Paris, marking the beginning of 20th-century ballet.
- Diaghilev gathered an all-star cast of Russian dancers from the **Russian Imperial Theatres**.
- The company presented **avant-garde** and **abstract works**, influencing ballet's evolution over two decades across Europe, the U.S., and South America.
**Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929)**
- He was an **impresario** who initially presented art exhibits and concerts before focusing on Russian dance.
- Secured a contract for a summer season of Russian ballet in Paris in **1909**.
- Established **Diaghilev's Ballet Russe** in **1911**, featuring a diverse repertoire and talented individuals from various artistic disciplines.
**Key Choreographers**
1. **Michel Fokine (1880-1942)**
- A former dancer and choreographer with Ballet Russe.
- Notable works:
- **Les Sylphides (1909)**: Romantic-style abstract ballet.
- **Petrouchka (1911)**: Tale of a sad clown puppet.
- **Firebird (1910)**: A prince's encounter with a magical firebird.
2. **Leonide Massine (1896-1979)**
- Choreographer known for witty and sophisticated ballets.
- Later created an epic dance for the film **The Red Shoes**, choreographed and danced as the shoemaker.
3. **Vaslav Nijinsky (1890-1950)**
- Initially a dancer before becoming a groundbreaking choreographer.
- Known for shockingly innovative works:
- **Afternoon of the Faun (1912)**: Inspired by Debussy's music and Greek sculpture.
- **The Rite of Spring (1913)**: Avant-garde ballet depicting an ancient ritual with Stravinsky's music.
**Notable Dancers of Ballet Russe**
- **Tamara Karsavina**: Celebrated Russian ballerina known for her beauty and role in *Firebird*.
- **Serge Lifar**: Debuted in **1923**, regarded as one of the greatest male dancers; later became ballet master at Paris Opera Ballet.
- **Anna Pavlova**: Renowned classical ballerina known for *The Dying Swan*, a solo piece choreographed by Fokine.
**Conclusion**
- Ballet Russe played a crucial role in transforming ballet through its innovative choreography and exceptional talent, setting the stage for modern dance.