Jacques Emile Blanche (French, 1861-1942) Nijinksy in Les Orientales [1912; c/o Christies]
Greetings! I’ve gathered together a few resources & references (books & online links) that might hopefully be useful for further research into our Summer theme of “Art, Artists & the Ballets Russes”…
The film footage of Anna Pavlova dancing The Dying Swan is on YouTube [here]
Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet by Jennifer Homans
a fascinating history of classical ballet which takes us from its origins in 18th century France through the Italian influence in the 19th century, the dominance of Russia in the late 19th and early 20th century, up to the present and ballet’s uncertain future [Granta Books]
Voices of British Ballet An excellent podcast on the ballet generally (and it’s definitely worth a listen, also look at the website for images) as well as the Ballets Russes is: https://voicesofbritishballet.com/podcast/diaghilev-round-table/
Diaghilev and Friends by Joy Melville
Melville’s major biography of the Russian impresario brings to life an age of daring sophistication and hedonistic pleasure set against the backdrop of a swiftly changing world [Haus Publishing]
Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes: 1909-1929 by Jane Pritchard & Geoffrey Marsh (Eds.)
[Drawing] on little-seen collections at the V&A [this exhibition catalogue looks at Diaghilev’s] life, his work, his cultural milieu and, most importantly, the actual processes of creating a ballet while working with some of the foremost creative thinkers of the period [V&A publishing]
Jane Pritchard’s Blogposts at the V&A: https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/author/jane-pritchard
The Rite of Spring by Gillian Moore
On 29 May 1913, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, a new ballet by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, received its premiere. Many of the cultural big names of Paris were there, or were rumoured to have been there: Debussy, Ravel, Proust, Gertrude Stein, Picasso. When the curtain rose on a cast of frenziedly stamping dancers, a near-riot ensued, ensuring the evening would enter the folklore of modernism [Bloomsbury Publishing]
The Rite of Spring is available on DVD; also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKZ4VBsflXM&list=RDOKZ4VBsflXM&start_radio=1
Bloomsbury Ballerina: Lydia Lopokova, Imperial Dancer and Mrs John Maynard Keynes
by Judith Mackrell
Born in 1891 in St Petersburg, Lydia Lopokova lived a long and remarkable life. Her vivacious personality and the sheer force of her charm propelled her to the top of Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes. Through a combination of luck, determination and talent, Lydia became a star in Paris, a vaudeville favourite in America, the toast of Britain and then married the world-renowned economist, and formerly homosexual, John Maynard Keynes [Orion Publishing]
Goncharova: the Art and Design of Natalia Goncharova by Anthony Parton
In 1914 Diaghilev, the director of the famous ‘Ballets Russes’ invited Goncharova to make designs for “The Golden Cockerel” which was staged at the Paris Opera. The staggering success of this production opened up new creative horizons for her and she remained in Paris to become one of Diaghilev’s ‘resident’ designers [ACC Art Books].
Rosie Lesso’s blogposts at The Thread explore the Ballets Russes painters and designers (& more): https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2021/05/23/from-russia-with-love-diaghilev-and-goncharova/
Burlington Magazine essay about Picasso in London (1919) and the Bloomsbury Group by James Beechey and Richard Shone: https://www.burlington.org.uk/archive/article/picasso-in-london-1919-the-premiere-of-the-three-cornered-hat
Laura Knight at the Theatre: Paintings and Drawings of the Ballet and the Stage by Timothy Wilcox
[Laura Knight’s] skill in capturing movement, form and colour excels in her drawings and paintings of such legendary dancers as Karsavina in ‘Firebird’ and ‘The Three-cornered Hat’ inspired by the appearances of Diaghliev’s Ballets Russes in London from 1919 to 1929 when she also painted and drew Pavlova and Nemikov, Lopokhova, Spessiva and Tchenicheva… [as well as the] rehearsal studios, dressing rooms, the wings of the stage and curtain calls… [Unicorn Publishing]
As ever, it is also worth exploring Christies; Sothebys; and Bonhams to find art, photographs and even sculpture associated with the Ballets Russes, and there are often very interesting Lot / Catalogue essays.
Enjoy! And do please let me know what else you find!
Ooh, look at this: a 30 seconds-long archive film of the Ballets Russes rehearsing in 1928 c/o BBC here.
Laura Knight: Waiting in the Wings [no date; Bonhams]
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