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Sergei Daighilev
Diaghilev died in 1929, leaving his dancers without work. -
The Resurrection
1931 is when the resurrection began. Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum named their new company Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. -
George Balanchine and the Baby Ballerinas
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 – dramatic
Tania Riabouchinska – feather light, with lots of personality
Irina Boranova – Girlish, passionate, flirty -
Leonide Massine
In 1932 critics said “Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo was the authentic air to Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe.” 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 and the public loved it. He started creating stronger lead roles for male dancers. -
Ballet Russe in America
In 1934 Ballet Russse de Monte-Carlo set sails for America where Sol Hurok (an impresario) booked their first American Tour. By 1935 they had performed for 3 million people and they began to hire American dancers, but made their names sound Russian. -
The Split of the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo
Blum and Basil did not 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.The each fought over dancers, making dancers take the side of one or the other. -
The Tours of Both Companies
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. -
The End of the Original Ballet Russe
Horok and Basil (The Original Ballet Russe) started having conflicts and in 1941 Hurok severed his ties with Basil. Finally Hurok and Basil started talking again to arrange for the company to return to America, but it was a disaster. Hurok once again abandoned the company and the dancers begin to leave for better opportunities. In return, Basil hired dancers not as qualified or technically proficient, leaving the company in bad shape. Nov 1948 was the company’s last performance. -
The Beginning of the True American Ballet
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo has a very different experience. 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 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.” Agnes de Mille choreographed “Rodeo,” a good old fashion American tradition. -
The Crossover
In 1944 Ballet crossed over into Broadway, choreographed by George Balachine. (12 years ago he left the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and has been bouncing around ballet, Broadway, and film).
