Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo

By emmakate1

  • Death of Diaghilev

    Death of Diaghilev
    Diaghilev died in 1929, leaving his dancers without work.

  • Resurrection

    1931 is when the resurrection began.

  • Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo

    Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
    Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum named their new company Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo.

  • First Performance

    First Performance
    After their first performance in 1932 critics said “Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo was the authentic air to Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe.”

  • Massine Era Begins

    Massine Era Begins
    1933 started the Massine Era of ballet at the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo (in London).

  • First American Tour

    First American Tour
    In 1934 Ballet Russse de Monte-Carlo set sails for America where Sol Hurok (an impresario) booked their first American Tour. Sol Hurok was the most powerful theatrical promoter in the States.

  • Hitting the 3 Million Mark

    By 1935 the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo had performed for 3 million people.

  • Massine Loses his Choreography

    Massine Loses his Choreography
    1938 (London) 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 enormous ballets.

  • World War II Begins

    World War II Begins
    September 3, 1939 War was declared. Britain and France declare war on Germany in World War II. Panic struck and most Russians did not have the right papers to leave the country. They were able to get on a boat headed to American. Both companies traveled on this boat.

  • Conflict in the Original Ballet Russe

    Conflict in the Original Ballet Russe
    In 1941 Hurok severed his ties with Basil, publically declaring him as one of the most difficult people to work with.

  • Ballet to Broadway

    Ballet to Broadway
    In 1944 Ballet crossed over into Broadway, choreographed by George Balachine. (Yes, the return; 12 years ago he left the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and has been bouncing around ballet, Broadway, and film.)

  • The Last Performance

    The Last Performance
    Finally Hurok and Basil started talking again to arrange for the company to return to America. Yet, the company was exhausted and not ready for the demands of touring again. It was a disaster. Hurok once 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.