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Diaghilev died, leaving his dancer's without direction or work.
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The resurrection of the company began with George Balanchine's immigration to America. He had a vision to make young dancers around 12 or 13 the stars of the ballet. Some of these dancers were Tamara Toumanova, Tania Riabouchinska, and Irina Boranova.
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In 1932, the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo had their first performance after Diaghilev. Shortly after, Balanchine was replaced with Leonide Massine.
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Leonide Massine began to use the symphonic orchestra in his ballets. He also began to incorporate males as bigger roles.
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In 1934 Ballet Russse de Monte-Carlo set sails for America where Sol Hurok, the most powerful theatrical promoter, booked their first American Tour. America still did not know that much about ballet at the time. Shortly after, Massine and another choreographer, Basical, began to have arguments that even went so far as the rights of the ballet. Massine won the rights of the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo.
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In 1938, the divided companies were ready to make their debuts in London. Massine lost rights to his choreography, so he had to create 3 new ballets in limited time. Basil hired David Lichine to replace Massine. The companies were rivals, but they performed pretty close to each other in London.
Hurok chose Massine’s Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo for another American tour while Basil's company went to Australia. -
Britain and France declare war on Germany in World War II. Panic struck and most Russians did not have the right papers to leave the country. They were able to get on a boat headed to America. Both companies traveled on this boat. Although the dancers had no classes of rehearsals, Massine's company still performed as soon as they got to America. Sol Hurok continued to find work for both companies, and they often went to small cities that had never seen ballet before.
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In 1941 Hurok severed his ties with Basil because he was so difficult to work with. Without Hurok's help, Basil's dancers were unable to find work. They decided on a Latin American Tour.
Massine's Ballet Russe struggled as well, since America also faced repercussions of the war such as the scarcity of food. -
During the war, Ballet Russes de Monte-Carlo crossed dance and film in Hollywood. Later on, they 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. -
In 1944 ballet crossed over into Broadway, choreographed by George Balachine. Over the years he had involved himself in dance, broadway, and film.
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Hurok and Basil spoke of returning to America, but the dancers were so exhausted that it was a failure, and Hurok abandoned them once again. In return, Basil hired new dancers, not as technically strong, leaving the company in worse shape. Nov 1948 was the company’s last performance.
