What an innovator. The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT, owns a Ballets Russes collection, and some of it was on display when we visited in 2019. I remember costumes Nijinsky wore. He was so tiny.
I saw Matisse's costume and set designs for Le Chant du Rossignol in Tokyo recently and they were remarkable. It's incredible, the talent that Sergei Diaghilev was able to bring together.
Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes generated such a buzz and sense of magic/possibility. It’s extraordinary how many iconic dancers, artists, and composers wanted to work with them. They were a phenomenon! Wish I could go back in time to watch them! ✨
If only we could travel back in time! And such a shame that there are no videos of their performances (for some reason, Diaghilev never allowed them to be filmed).
Thanks for this, James! There’s a very good documentary on the Ballet Russes that I saw years ago— it focused on the tours the company made and how they spread the culture and technique of ballet around the world, which in turn developed dancers and dance audiences…. A virtuous circle!
I hold the Ballets Russes very close to my heart — perhaps my favorite cast of characters in the history of the performing arts.
I wrote about my favorite BR production a while back, Nijinsky's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and how it became an emblem of artistic, political, and sexual freedom throughout the 20th century. Check it out if you’re interested:
Fantastic! I was originally trained in the Russian method and loved looking at the history of ballet. I didn't know about this from the Ballet Russes! Thank you James!
They were obviously innovators of the modern dance movement 🙌🏻
You're probably familiar with his work, but one of my favourite choreographers is Christopher Bruce. And especially his piece Ghost Dances. It's hauntingly powerful! https://youtu.be/fgh13vsc1jU?si=cl4-d2cGjOAxwtkz
Yess! Incredible! Wish I could have seen it! I need to get back into the passion of attending the ballet. Dance was the greatest discipline. I danced from 8 to 34, rolling out (quite literally) my last baby! At that point, was on point still keeping up with teenagers in very hard intermediate classes. I regret not keeping it up, but I carry with me stretching, classical music and unfortunately terrible arthritis now. My photography career took a lot of my time, yet I always felt the still image had to "move, flow." It's a dance thing! How does anyone live without the arts?
I forgot to share this post! So I will! Goodnight from Southern California James! Hope you're doing a bit better these days. ox
What an innovator. The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT, owns a Ballets Russes collection, and some of it was on display when we visited in 2019. I remember costumes Nijinsky wore. He was so tiny.
I’ve never thought of Nijinsky as tiny! Would’ve loved to have seen him perform.
I saw Matisse's costume and set designs for Le Chant du Rossignol in Tokyo recently and they were remarkable. It's incredible, the talent that Sergei Diaghilev was able to bring together.
Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes generated such a buzz and sense of magic/possibility. It’s extraordinary how many iconic dancers, artists, and composers wanted to work with them. They were a phenomenon! Wish I could go back in time to watch them! ✨
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall at one of the Ballet Russes' performances!
If only we could travel back in time! And such a shame that there are no videos of their performances (for some reason, Diaghilev never allowed them to be filmed).
Thanks for this, James! There’s a very good documentary on the Ballet Russes that I saw years ago— it focused on the tours the company made and how they spread the culture and technique of ballet around the world, which in turn developed dancers and dance audiences…. A virtuous circle!
Thanks, Victoria! Sounds great! I'm gonna search for this. ✨️
I hold the Ballets Russes very close to my heart — perhaps my favorite cast of characters in the history of the performing arts.
I wrote about my favorite BR production a while back, Nijinsky's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and how it became an emblem of artistic, political, and sexual freedom throughout the 20th century. Check it out if you’re interested:
https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelwriteswords/p/debussy-prelude-faun-orchestral-fever-dream?r=6d8h3&utm_medium=ios
Thanks, Michael. Looking forward to reading this. ✨️
Fantastic! I was originally trained in the Russian method and loved looking at the history of ballet. I didn't know about this from the Ballet Russes! Thank you James!
They were obviously innovators of the modern dance movement 🙌🏻
Thanks, Deborah! Great to hear that you love dance too. ✨️
I LOVE dance!!!
You're probably familiar with his work, but one of my favourite choreographers is Christopher Bruce. And especially his piece Ghost Dances. It's hauntingly powerful! https://youtu.be/fgh13vsc1jU?si=cl4-d2cGjOAxwtkz
Yess! Incredible! Wish I could have seen it! I need to get back into the passion of attending the ballet. Dance was the greatest discipline. I danced from 8 to 34, rolling out (quite literally) my last baby! At that point, was on point still keeping up with teenagers in very hard intermediate classes. I regret not keeping it up, but I carry with me stretching, classical music and unfortunately terrible arthritis now. My photography career took a lot of my time, yet I always felt the still image had to "move, flow." It's a dance thing! How does anyone live without the arts?
I forgot to share this post! So I will! Goodnight from Southern California James! Hope you're doing a bit better these days. ox
Thanks, Deborah! 🕊💙
Fascinating! Love the photos of the costumes
Thanks, Jackie! Love them too! ✨