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20th Century Ballet
20th century ballet began when Russian dancer and entrepreneur named Serge Diaghilev brought his company,Ballet Russe, to Paris in 1909.He hand selected the dancers from the Russian Imperial Theaters and for the next two decades, his company traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and South America -
Diaghilev's Ballet Russe and Passing
Serge Diaghilev was an impresario (which is a person who organizes and typically finances concerts, operas, or plays.),who in 1911,established the company known as Diaghilev's Ballet Russe. Unfortunately Diaghilev died in Venice, Italy on August 19th,1929 at 9:00 pm leaving his company without work. -
The Resurrection
After Diaghilev's death in 1929 resurrection did not start until 1931. This happened Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum named their new company Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo, where George Balanchine was the dance master and principle choreographer. -
George Balanchine & The Replacement
Mr.Balanchine was a former choreographer for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe who focused on the younger ballerinas near 12-13 years and made sure they had a different style than the others, these were known as the baby ballerinas. Although after the first performance critic review in 1932 quoted,"Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo was the authentic air to Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe", Basil and Blum replaced Balanchine with Leonide Massine after the first season. -
Leonide Massine & The Tour
Mr. Massine is well known for choreographing Red Shoes. His ballets were known being witty,and filled with quirky gestures, but after replacing Balanchine the Massine Era of ballet at the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo didn't start till 1933.Shortly after,in 1934 Ballet Russse de Monte-Carlo booked their first American Tour and set sails to for America thanks to the most powerful theatrical promoter in the States,Sol Hurok. -
The Disagreement
By 1935 the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo had performed for 3 million people and began to hire American dancers. But, Blum and Basil didn't agree anymore so Blum left from the company.Shortly after Blum's departure Massine left the company & started his own. Massine & Basil fought over dancers and who keeps the company's name. But,after all legal rights both companies was ready to make their debut in 1938 one as Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and the other as The Original Ballet Russe. -
War Strikes
On Sep. 3 1939 Britain & France declared war on Germany in World War II. Most Russians panicked because they did not have the right papers to leave the country,but both companies were able to get on a boat head to America. With months of no rehearsals or ballet class,Massine has Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo perform the evening they arrived in America.Sol Hurok provided work for both stranded companies& they spent 9 months touring by train to small towns that have never seen ballet. -
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo During War Time
The Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo had a very different experience during the war-time than he Orig Ballet Russe. They were in Hollywood glamour and crossed over into dance for film. But since Massine loved the money and fame he seemed to lose his choreographic touch resulting in him producing flops. -
Without Work
After two years of touring with both companies Mr.Hurok and Basil started having conflicts which affected the Original Ballet Russe. In 1941 Hurok publically stated how difficult it is to work with Basil leaving the Orig. Ballet Russe stranded without work. -
True American Ballet
After Massine got caught up in the fame & fortune the Ballet Russes de Monte-Carlo took a chance and hired an American choreographer, Agnes de Mille. And so began the beginning of “true American ballet. While working with the company Agnes de Mille choreographed and performed “Rodeo," at the Metropolitan Opera House, October 16, 1942. -
Ballet Crossed Into Broadway
In 1944 Ballet crossed over into Broadway due to the choreography by George Balachine whose has been bouncing around ballet, Broadway, and film. -
The Last Performance
Eventually Hurok & Basil worked through their differences and discussed his company returning back to America. Unfortunately, the dances of the Original Ballet Russe was exhausted causing Hurok to leave the company again. The dancers started to leave for better opportunities and Basil tried to replace them with dancers who weren't as qualified. It was a disaster. The company's last performance was in Nov. 1948.
