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The Romantic Era
The Romantic era of ballet started during the 19th century. Female dancers took the lead roles, while men served the supporting role. Romantic ballet most often told stories about a love triangle through intense action and pantomime. The ballet form was performed in two acts. In Act I the female dancers were usually portrayed as a villager but in Act II the dancers are transformed into spirits or ethereal beings. -
Marie Taglioni in La Sylphide
Marie Taglioni was an Italian dancer trained by her father. "La Sylphide" became her signature role, and she first premiered it in Paris in 1832. -
Carlotta Grisi's (1819-1899) performance in Giselle
Carlotta Grisi was an Italian dancer who studied with and became the partner of Jules Perrot. She performed her role as the lead in the ballet "Giselle" with Perrot's choreography in 1841. She retired in 1854 at the height of her career and settled in Paris. -
Fanny Cerito(1817-1909) in Pas de Quatre
In London, she was paired with other ballerinas in a unique ballet called "Pas de Quatre," choreographed by Jules Perrot.
Cerito and Saint-Léon made their last and final appearance together on tour in 1851. After that, Cerito moved to Russian while Saint-Leon continued his career in Paris. Cerito left for England in 1857 to retire. -
Coppélia the Ballet First's Performance
Coppélia premiered on 25 May 1870 at the Théâtre Impérial l'Opéra, with the 16-year-old Giuseppina Bozzacchi in the principal role of Swanhilde. -
The Fall Down before the Ballet Russe
Diaghilev died in 1929 leaving his company without any work to do. -
The Uprise of the Ballet Russe
Easily de Basil and Rene Blum began a new company named Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo with a former choreographer of Diaghilev,s ballet, George Balanchine, as the new choreographer and dance master. -
After the first performance...
In 1932 after the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo performance, critics said "Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo was the authentic to Diaghilev's Ballet Russe" causing choreographers from Diaghilev's ballet to return to work with Basil and Blum. -
Massine Era
After the first season with Balanchine choreographing they secretly kicked him out and brought in Leonide Massine. In 1933 it started the Massine era of ballet in London. -
The Trip to America...
In 1934 Ballet Russse de Monte-Carlo set sail for America where Sol Hurok (an impresario) booked their first American Tour. Sol Hurok was the most powerful theatrical promoter in the United States. By 1935 they had performed for 3 million people. -
The Split of Basil and Blum
Blum and Basil didn't see eye to eye and Blum resigned from the company. 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.They each fought over dancers, making dancers take the side of one or the other. In 1938 both companies were ready to make their debut -
Massine's Take on the split.
After Blum left, Basil’s ego was too much for Massine and he too soon left the company to start his own. A war came upon them and they made Basil create a new name for his company. In 1938 Massine had lost all rights to choreography and for his debut he had to create three new ballets. -
Companies Back in London.
Sol Hurok decided he needed another American tour for Massine’s Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. At the same time Basil took his company to Australia. For 7 months Basil filled the theaters because Australia loved ballet. The set the stage for new training facilities to be opened in that area of the world. By 1939 both companies were back in London. -
World War II
War was declared by Britain and France on Germany so both ballet companies went on a boat to america. Once arrived to America both companies went without rehearsals for months but Massine still had Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo perform the evening they arrived. -
Sol Hurok takes on Responsibility
Sol Hurok decided to take on the responsibly of providing training for both stranded companies. They spent 9 months touring by train to small towns that had never experienced ballet before. After lots of tours, for 2 years both companies continued to work, but Horok and Basil (The Original Ballet Russe) started having conflicts. -
Hurok and Basil Split Up
In 1941 Hurok cut his ties with Basil, publicly sating he is one of the most difficult people to work with. Because Sol Hurok had so many connections around America, Basil and The Original Ballet Russe found themselves with no work. Not being able to return to London yet, Basil took his company on a Latin American tour. -
New Ballet "Rodeo"
Ballet Russes de Monte-Carlo took a chance and hired and American choreographer, Agnes de Mille. And that action began the beginning of “true American ballet.” Agnes de Mille choreographed “Rodeo,” a good old fashion American tradition in -
Ballet to Broadway
In 1944 Ballet crossed over into Broadway, choreographed by George Balachine. He had returned to the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and has been bouncing around ballet, Broadway, and film. -
The Hollywood Experience
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo has a very different experience during the war-time years. They were popular and new for the town of Hollywood filled with glamour. They crossed over into dance for film -
Companies Last Performance
Huron, again, abandoned the company and the dancers begin to leave for better opportunities. In return, Basil hired new dancers, not as qualified or technically proficient, leaving the company in worse shape. Nov 1948 was the company’s last performance.
