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Death of Diaghilev
Diaghilev dies in 1929, leaving his dancers without work. -
A New Ballet
Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum named their new company Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. -
Balanchine's Arrival at Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo
George Balanchine (a former choreographer for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe) became the Dance Master and principle choreographer. He had an idea to use young dancers as the stars. Only at 12-13 years old, and each having a different style became known as the " Baby Ballerinas". -
New Dance Master
After the first season, Basil and Blum secretly push out Balanchine and replaced him with Leonide Massine. This started the Massine Era of ballet. He introduced the symphonic orchestra to the ballet and the pubic love it. -
A Travel Across
In 1934 Ballet Russe 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. (it had been 20 years since Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe sailed to America, and America still didn’t know much about ballet.) by 1935 they had performed for 3 million people -
A Battle of the Ballets
In 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. 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. -
Creation of a Rival
Blum and Basil did not see eye to eye and Blum resigned from the company.After Blum left, Basil’s ego was too much for Massine and he too soon left the company to start his own. A war erupted between Massine and Basil over everything connected to the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo.Massine won the rights to the company name, Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo so Basil renamed his company The Original Ballet Russe. -
The War
September 3, 1939 War was declared. Britain and France declare war on Germany in World War II. 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. -
The End?
Tour after tour, for 2 years both companies continued to work, but Horok and Basil (The Original Ballet Russe) started having conflicts. In 1941 Hurok severed his ties with Basil.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. -
Starting Fresh
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. -
The End of Massine
Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo has a very different experience during the war. They were the toast of the town in Hollywood glamour. They crossed over into dance for film. However, Massine loving the money and attention seemed to lose his choreographic touch and started producing flops. -
Reworking the Ballet
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.. 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
