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The Russian School of Theatrical Dance
The Russian School of Theatrical Dance was founded in St.Petersburg, Russia. The school became known as the Imperial Theater. The Russian School of Imperial ballet produced many famous dancers such as Anna Pavlova and George Balanchine. -
Marie Taglioni is born
During her lifetime, she was an Italian dancer trained by her father. She became famous for her role in "La Sylphide." She was also known for "Pas de Quatre." -
carlotta Grisi is born
During her lifetime, she was an Italian dancer who partnered with Jules Perrot. She performed her greatest leading role in "Giselle" with Jules Perrot's choreography. -
Marie Taglioni's premier
Marie Taglioni premiered her role in "La Sylphides" in Paris. She wore the romantic style tutu which was a long white tutu with a tight bodice that later inspired female fashion of that time period. Marie stitched the around the toes of her ballet slippers to give her support as she rose up on pointe. -
Fanny Cerito in "Pas de Quatre"
Fanny Cerito moved to London where she met and married Arthur Saint Léon. While she was in London, Cerito was paired with other leading ballerinas in "Pas de Quatre." -
Marie Taglioni retires
Marie retired from her dance company but she continued to teach dance at her own school that she later opened. -
Marius Petipa in St.Petersburg
Marius Petipa arrives in St.Petersburg from France. He started out as a dancer and later became the ballet master at the Imperial Theater. -
Cerito and Léon
Fanny Cerito and Arthur saint Léon made their last appearance together on tour. Afterwards, Fanny Cerito moved to Russia while Saint léon stayed in paris to continue his career. -
Carlotta Grisi retires
Carlotta Grisi traveled throughout Europe with Jules Perrot creating many new works. She retired from her successful career and settled in Paris. -
Lucille Grahn in "Pas de Quatre"
Lucille Grahn moved to England and performed as the youngest dancer in the famous four in "Pas de Quatre." -
Fanny Cerito retires
Fanny Cerito was discouraged by the fact that the Russians were non-accepting of things foreign so she moved to England and later retired. -
Marius Petipa as ballet master
Marius Petipa becomes the ballet master of the Imperial Theater. He created over 50 new ballets. Some of his most famous works include The Nutcracker, Swan Lake,and Sleeping Beauty. -
Serge Diaghilev is born
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Michel Fokine is born
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Marie Taglioni dies
Marie Taglioni is possibly considered to be one of the greatest ballerina in the Romantic era. Her level of technique contributed to her grace. -
Vaslav Nijinsky is born
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Leonide Massine is born
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Carlotta Grisi dies
Carlotta Grisi was a strong dancer. She performed many leading roles in romantic ballets. She was also one of the four ballerinas starred in the "Pas de Quatre." -
Lucille Grahn is born
Lucille Grahn was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. During her lifetime, she studied dance at the Royal danish Ballet. Her talent was noticed and later studied dance in Paris. -
Lucille Grahn dies
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The Ballet Russe
Serge Diaghilev brought his company called the Ballet Russe to paris. He hand selected all star Russian dancers from the Imperial Theater to be in his company. Diaghilev traveled throughout Europe, the United States, and South America presenting his abstract and avant-garde works. -
Creation of "Les Sylphides"
Michel Fokine creates "Les Sylphides." It is an abstract ballet that captures the essence of romantic style ballets. -
creation of "Firebird"
Michel Fokine creates a dance called "Firebird." "Firebird" is a fairy tale about a prince who meets a magical Firebird. -
Diaghilev's Ballet Russe
Serge Diaghilev was successful with presenting his new choreography so he establishes his company as Diaghilev's Ballet Russe instead of just The Ballet Russe. -
"Petrouchka" is created
"petrouchka" was created by Michel Fokine. "Petrouchka" is a story of a sad clown puppet at a 19th century Russian carnival. -
"Le Apres- mid-d un Faune"
"Le Apres- mid- d un Faune" was created by Vaslav Nijinsky. It is a controversial ballet that used the French composer Claude Debussy and greek sculpture as an inspiration. -
"Le sacre du printemps"
Vaslav Nijinsky creates "Le Sacre du Printemps". This was an avante- garde ballet piece that used rhythm and movement to re-create an ancient ritual. -
Serge Diaghilev dies
Serge Diaghilev dies, leaving his dancers without work. -
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo
Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum started a company and named it Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. George Balanchine became the ballet master. He had an idea to make young dancers the star of the ballet and each of them would have a different style from one another. These dancers became known as the "baby ballerinas." -
Leonide Massine as ballet master
Basil and Blum pushed Balanchine out and replaced him with Leonide Massine. Massine introduced the symphonic orchestra to ballet. He also created stronger roles for male dancers. -
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo sets sail
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo sails to America where Sol Hurok booked their first tour in America. -
The rival of Ballet Russe starts
After performing for 3 million people, they started to hire American dancers. Basil and Blum did not always agree with each other so Blum resigned from the company. After Blum left the company, Massine also resigned to start his own company. A war was started between Massine and Basil over the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo including the company name. Massine won the rights to keep the company name as the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo so Basil changed his company name to The original Ballet Ruse. -
Both companies set sail
Both companies encountered their own problems after splitting. Massine lost all his rights to his choreography. Basil replaced Massine with David Lichine. Sol Hurok needed another American tour so he hired the Ballet Russe de Monte-carlo. At the same time, Basil took his company to Australia. -
World War II
War was declared on Germany. Most Russians were not able to leave the country because they did not have the right paper work. Both ballet companies were able to travel on the same boat to America. They spent months having no rehearsals. Sol Hurok decided to take the responsibility of providing work for both of the companies. The companies did tour after tour but Basil and Hurok started having disagreements. -
The Original Ballet Russe war time experience
Hurok ends his ties with Basil. Basil and his company, The Original Ballet Russe, found themselves with no work. Basil was not able to go back to London so he took his company to Latin America. Hurok and Basil started talking to each other and tried to get Basil's company to return to America to go on tours but they were exhausted from all the tours. -
Michel Fokine dies
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Ballet crosses over
Ballet made a cross with Broadway, choreographed by George Balanchine. He returned after leaving the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. -
beginning of true American ballet
The Original Ballet Russe performs for the last time. The Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo crossed over into dance for film. Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo hired an American choreographer named Agnes de Mille. This began the beginning to "true American ballet." Agnes de Mille choreographed "Rodeo." -
Vaslav Nijinsky dies
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Leonide Massine dies
In Massine's later years, he created "The Red Shoes" and performed the leading role as the shoemaker.
