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Diaghilev, a famous Russian ballet impresario, founder of the Ballet Russes. Their opening night was May 19, 1909. Worked with many young, famous ballet dancers, musicians, and artists.
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In the year 1931, Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum resurrected Ballet Russes. Company hired George Balanchine and Leonide Massine as choreographers. Balanchine envisioned a company full of young successful dancers with different styles such as Tamara Toumanova, Tania Riabouchinska, and Irina Boranova.
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Performance was labeled by critics as "the authentic air to Diaghilev's Ballet Russe."
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Balanchine was pushed out of his choreographer position and Leonide Massine replaced him. Massine introduced the symphonic orchestra to ballet which was perceived well by the public. Created stronger lead role for male leads.
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It's been 20 years since the original company sailed to America, and America had very little knowledge of ballet. They began to hire American dancers but changed their names to Russian surnames.
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Companies emerged from the original Baller Russe due to disagreements. 1938 all companies planned on making their London debut; however, Massine lost all rights to his choreography and had to create 3 huge ballets.
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Rivalry became a major issue following the 1938 show. After Basil replaced Massine he hired David Lichine. This created rivalry between the two choreographers.
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WW2 was declared and the company's had to flee London and go to America. Dancers struggled through no practice and unemployment. Eventually Hurok and Basil ended their relationship which hurt Basil's dancers.
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Hurok, a very popular American, severed ties with Basil and blackballed him which led to many company troubles.
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Hurok and Basil reunited and began preparing another tour in America again
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After 12 years, Balachine returns but this time incorporating ballet in Broadway.
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The company's last show was in in 1948. The original dancers were exhausted and began leaving to seek better opportunities. The new dancers were not as skilled and only made matters worse making the last show a disaster.
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Massine's choreography began flopping. The company took a chance and hired American choreographer Agnes de Mille. This began the birth of American Ballet.
