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Diaghilev's Death
When Serge died he left his company with no work. -
Naming the Company
Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum named their new company Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. -
George Balanchine
George Balanchine became the Dance Master and principle choreographer who was a former choreographer for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe. -
Baby Ballerinas
George Balanchine had an idea to use 3 girls that were between the ages of 12 and 14 to be the face of the company. Tamara Toumanova who had a dramatic style of dance. Tania Riabouchinska who was more of a feather light, with lots of personality type of dancer. And lastly Trina Boranova who was very girlish, passionate, and flirty. -
Ballet Russes 1st Preformance
After their first performance, critics said “Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo was the authentic air to Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe" -
Replacing Balanchine
Choreographers from Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe returned to work with Basil and Blum. After the first season, Basil and Blum secretly push out Balanchine and replaced him with Leonide Massine. -
Massine
Massine introduced the symphonic orchestra to ballet and the public loved it. He started creating stronger lead roles for male dancers. -
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
Ballet Russse de Monte-Carlo set sails for America where Sol Hurok booked their first American Tour. Sol Hurok was the most powerful theatrical promoter in the States 20 years after Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe sailed to America, and America still didn’t know much about ballet until 1935 they had performed for 3 million people. -
Seperation of Basil and Blum
Between 1935 and 1938 Basil and Blum began to hire American dancers, but made their names sound Russian. Blum and Basil did not see eye to eye so Blum resigned from the company. Blum left, Basil’s ego was too much for Massine and he too soon left the company to start his own and called it The Original Ballet Russe. -
Massine vs Lichine
In London each company was ready to make their debut. But Massine had lost all rights to his choreography and found himself having to create 3 new enormous ballets. Basil’s problem was replacing Massine as principle choreographer, so he hired David Lichine. Lichine and Massine became rivals, trying to steal dancers from the other, both companies started their season in London, performing blocks from each other. The public love each company, go from one show to another. -
Travling to America
Britain and France declare war on Germany in World War II and many Russian dancers didn't have paperwork and were able to get on a boat to American. Both companies traveled on this boat. Months of no rehearsals or ballet class and Massine has Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo perform the evening they arrived in American. Sol Hurok decided to take on the responsibly of providing work for both stranded companies. They spent 9 months touring by train to small towns that had never seen ballet before. -
After the Tours
Tour after tour, for 2 years both companies continued to work, but Horok and Basil started having conflicts. Hurok severed his ties with Basil, publically declaring him as one of the most difficult people to work with. Because Sol Hurok had such connections around America, Basil and The Original Ballet Russe found themselves without work. Not being able to return to London yet, Basil took his company on a Latin American tour. -
Ballet to Broadway
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. -
War Time
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo has a very different experience during the war-time years. They crossed over into dance for film. However, Massine loving the money and attention seemed to lose his choreographic 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. -
Return to America
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.