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Diaghilev died
Diaghilev died which left his dancers without work. They needed to develop a plan. -
resurrection of the the Ballet Russe
Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum wanted to keep the Ballet Russe alive, They renamed their new company Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. -
Baby Ballerinas
All three Baby Ballirenas were discovered by George Balanchine Tamara Toumanova – was found at age 12
Tania Riabouchinska – was found at age 14
Irina Boranova – was found at age 13 -
"Ballet Rise Again"
George Balanchine became the Dance Master and principal choreographer. After their first performance in 1932 critics said “Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo was the authentic air to Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe." This made the company have a name and advance! -
George Balanchine out Massine in!
After the first season ended Basil and Blum secretly push out Balanchine and replaced him with Leonide Massine. He added a new flair to the company by adding a symphonic orchestra to ballet and the public loved it. He started creating stronger lead roles for male dancers. -
Travel to America!!
In 1934 Ballet Russse de Monte-Carlo decided to tour in America Sol Hurok booked their first American Tour. Sol Hurok was the most powerful theatrical promoter in the States. They were soon known and loved by many and by 1935 they had performed for 3 million people. -
Not seeing eye to eye
Blum and Basil did not see eye to eye and Blum resigned from the company. After Blum left, Basil’s ego was too much for Massine. Soon left the company to start his own. A war erupted between Massine and Basil over everything connected to the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo, company name, and choreography. Massine won the rights to the company name, so Basil renamed his company The Original Ballet Russe.The each fought over dancers, making dancers take the side of one or the other. -
Time to Travel
Sol Hurok needed another American tour he chose Massine’s Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo for the American tour. Basil took his company to Australia for a whole 7 months the theater was packed!. Australia loved ballet. The set the stage for new training facilities to be opened in this part of the world. By 1939 both companies were back in London. -
Who's Better?
-In 1938 each company was ready to make their debut. But Massine has lost all the rights to his choreography and found himself having to create 3 new ballets. Basil’s had a problem replacing Massine as principle choreographer, so he hired David Lichine. Lichine and Massine instantly became rivals, trying to steal dancers from the other to prove which one was better Both companies started their season in London, performing blocks from each other. -
Together Again!
Britain and France declare war on Germany in World War II. both companies were able to get on a boat headed to America. The crazy part was Both companies traveled on the same boat. Sol Hurok decided to take on the responsibility of providing work for both stranded companies. They spent 9 months touring by train to small towns that had never seen ballet before. -
Its All in Who You Know
Both companies had worked for 2 straight jam-packed years! Horok and Basil started having conflicts Hurok was tired of him and severed his ties with Basil, publically declaring him as one of the most difficult people to work with. Because Sol Hurok had such connections around America, Basil and The Original Ballet Russe found themselves without work. After trying one more time to work with Horok and failing the company resigned and disappeared forever -
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo success
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo has a very different experience during the war-time years. They were the toast of the town in Hollywood glamor. They crossed over into dance for film. However, Massine loving the money and attention seemed to lose his choreographic touch. Ballet Russes de Monte-Carlo took a chance and hired and American choreographer, Agnes de Mille. And so began the beginning of “true American ballet.
