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Sergei Diaghilev
Diaghilev was a Russian art critic, and founder of the Ballets Russes, from which many famous dancers and choreographers would arise from. In 1929 he died leaving his dancers without work. -
The Resurrection
In 1931 is when the resurrection began. Wasily de basil and Rene Blum (dancers that danced for Diaghilev) started a new company and named it The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. -
The Start of the Ballet Russe
-George Balanchine (a former choreographer for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe) became the Dance Master and principle choreographer.
-Balanchine has an idea to make very young dancers the stars of the ballet. At 12-13 years old, and each having a different style from one another, they became known as the “baby ballerinas.” Tamara Toumanova – Tania Riabouchinska ,and Irina Boranova – -
The Massine Era
After the first season, Basil and Blum secretly push out Balanchine and replaced him with Leonide Massine.
-1933 started the Massine Era of ballet at the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo (in London). Massine introduced the symphonic orchestra to ballet . In 1934 Ballet Russse de Monte-Carlo set sails for America where Sol Hurok (an impresario) booked their first American Tour. They had performed for 3 million people.
- They began to hire American dancers, but made their names sound Russian. -
The Dance War
- 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 and he too 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, including legal fights over the company name and choreography. Massine won the rights to the company name, Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo so Basil renamed his company The Original Ballet Russe.
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Sol Hurok
Both companies started their season in London, performing blocks from each other. The public love each company, go from one show to another. Sol Hurok needed another American tour. Hurok chose Massine’s Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. At the same time Basil took his company to Australia. For 7 months the filled the theaters. 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. -
No more Ballet Classes for Now
September 3, 1939 War was declared. Britain and France declare war on Germany in World War II. Panic struck and most Russian could not leave the country. They were able to get on a boat headed to America. Both companies traveled on this boat. Months of no rehearsals and Massine has Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo perform the evening they arrived in America. Sol Hurok decided to take on the responsibly of providing work for both stranded companies. -
Sol Hurok Continued
-Sol Hurok decided to take on the responsibly of providing work for both stranded companies. They spent 9 months touring by train to small towns that had never seen ballet before. Tour after tour, for 2 years both companies continued to work, but Hurok and Basil (The Original Ballet Russe) started having conflicts. In 1941 Hurok severed his ties with Basil, publically declaring him as one of the most difficult people to work with. -
Last Performance
Nov 1948 was the company’s last performance.
- Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo has a very different experience during the war-time years. They were the toast of the town in Hollywood glamour. They crossed over into dance for film. However, Massine loving the money and attention seemed to lose his choreographic touch and started producing flops.
- 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.” -
The Start Of Something New
- 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.” -Agnes de Mille choreographed “Rodeo,” a good old fashion American tradition.
