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Sergei Diaghilev Dies
The Ballet Russes began in the 1920s in Paris, but in the event of Diaghilev death in 1929 the Ballet Russes collapses. His influence on Ballet was so strong some people believed that when Diaghilev died, ballet itself died along with him. -
Resurrection of the Ballet Russes
Two years after Diaghilev's death in 1929, the Ballet Russes is brought back to life by Wasily de Basil and Rene Blum. This spirit of the Ballet Russes was named the Ballet Russes De Monte Carlo.George Balanchine, who was the ballet master and princible choergraphy for Diaghilev's Ballet Russes, was proclaimed the ballet master. April of 1932 the Ballet Monte Carlo perpared for it's debut, and was consider to be an authentic replace of the Ballet russes intising original Diaghilev dancers. -
The Massine Era
In the year 1933 in London, England the Massine Era was ignited. Previous ballet master George Balanchine was discretely pushed out by Blum and Basil and replaced with Léonide Massine. Massine created great works, such as St. Francis, Labyrinth, and Symphonic Ballet, he also created stronger role for male dancers. The public adore it and him. -
Trouble in Paradise
Around the time of their American tour Blum and Basil relations grew estranged. Not long after Blum decided to ressign. Blum wasn't the only one abandoning the Russes de Monte Carlo because of Basil's behavior and ego. Léonide Massine was next to leave the company. -
Across the Seas to Sol Hurok
Between 1934 and 1935 the Ballet Russes de Monte ventured on it's first American tour, payed for by an impresario by the name of Sol Hurok. Sol was a very powerful promoter, and the tour was a great sucess; the dancers had performed in front of 3 million people by 1935. along the way they also aquired american dancers, altering their names to make them sound Russian. -
Spliting the Russes
in the spring of 1937 Basil made plans to start his own company. War was upon them. Basil and Massine disagree on many matters especial the rights to the name of the company and its choreography. Massine was allowed to keep the name while Basil named his new company the Original Ballet de Monte Carlo. not only was the breaking of the company gruesome, the battle for the dancers was just as "down and dirty". -
New Companies new Dilmas
Although Massine gained the right to name, he lost the rights to almost all his choreography. With the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo and the Original Russes both having upcoming debuts, upcoming complications were also arising for both Massine and Basil. With the right to his creations diminished Massine performed a mini miracle and created 3 Ballets in 2-3 months. Basil struggled to replace Massine as his principle choreographer, but eventually made David Lichine his Ballet Master. -
Ballet of the Tour
Hurok was read for another tour however he could only take one Ballet Russes company. Sol choose to take Massine's company to tour America, but this didn't mean Basil was going to sit on the sidelines. Basil's Original Ballet Russes went to Australia to tour where it open the door and set the stage for ballet. After seven months of touring bout sub Ballet Russes companies were back in london by 1939. -
The War stops War
September 3,1939 World War II broke out putting a hault in the advancements of the companies. Both companies boarded a boat to America. Sol Hurok represent the Original Ballet Russes and Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo once they were in America for nine months. Basil eventually too difficult to partner with and Hurok cut him off. Basil settled for touring Latin America. -
Old Friend New Platform
Ballet danced it's way in to the world Broadway. Broadway was George Balanchine's stage. Balanchine carried on through Broadway, ballet, and movies. -
Basil Fails
In Latin America the success Basil was looking for was not found. He and Hurok became connected once again but it did not last. Hurok abandoned the Original Ballet Russes for a second time leaving the company to fall apart. Basil lost his dancers and tired to replaced them putting his company in worse shaped than it already was. November 1948 was the last performance of the Original Ballet Russes. -
Alteration for Ballet Russes de Monte carlo
Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo was experience the life of stars in Hollywood. In Hollywood Massine discovered his Achilles heal.
The money and fame beckoned him and he lost his creative touch. The Company band-aid for this problem was to hired an American choreographer Agnes de Mille. Thus opening the pearly gates for true American ballet.
