The Ballet Russes became a sensation in the 1910s. Their first Paris season of 1909 led to further seasons in the city, along with engagements in London, Monte Carlo, and further beyond. Under the leadership of Serge Diaghilev top artists came together to produce some of the most interesting ballets of all time. Some of … Continue reading Three Forgotten Dancers of the Ballet Russes
Ballet History
A Homage to the Queen
In 1953, the British Empire was preparing for the coronation of their new Queen, Elizabeth II. And the Royal Ballet was no different. Frederick Ashton's ballet Homage to the Queen united the top dancers of the company in a marvellous pièce d'occasion. The ballet premiered on the 2nd June 1953, the same day as Elizabeth … Continue reading A Homage to the Queen
Forgotten Ballets: Fiammetta, 1864
A slightly earlier contemporary to Marius Petipa was Arthur Saint-Léon. Preceding Petipa in the role of Maître de ballet of the Imperial Ballet, Saint-Léon arrived in Saint Petersburg in 1859, holding his post for 10 years. During that time he'd create and stage ballets for the company, and one of them, was 1864's Fiammetta, often … Continue reading Forgotten Ballets: Fiammetta, 1864
Spotlight On: Olga Preobrazhenskaya
The late 19th-early 20th century was the Golden Age of Russian Ballet, with the Imperial Ballet being at the centre of it. And, for the first time, the Russian Ballerina was equal. Mathilde Kschessinskaya had become the first Russian Ballerina to master the 32 fouettes, originally done by Italian Pierina Legnani, and we'd soon see … Continue reading Spotlight On: Olga Preobrazhenskaya
Forgotten Ballets: Les Mohicans, 1837
In the first part of this series (see here) I looked at a ballet from 1837, during the Romantic Era of ballet. The ballet, Le Chatte, didn't receive the least performances of the Romantic ballets premiered at the Paris Opera. That distinction goes to Les Mohicans, which premiered just months before La Chatte, and involves … Continue reading Forgotten Ballets: Les Mohicans, 1837
Taglioni in Saint Petersburg, 1837-1842
Marie Taglioni is credited with being the first dancer to truly dance en pointe. Born in Stockholm, Sweden to dancer and choreographer Filippo Taglioni and Swedish dancer Sophie Karsten, it was under her Father that she rigorously trained. Today she's most known for originating the title role in La Sylphide (1832), a ballet which utilised … Continue reading Taglioni in Saint Petersburg, 1837-1842
Forgotten Ballets: The Triumph of Neptune, 1926
Choreographer George Balanchine was a genius. There's no denying that. His musicality and neoclassical style have influenced countless other choreographers, and his works are performed all around the globe. But that's not to say all of his ballets are remembered. Balanchine defected from the Soviet Union in 1924 and worked with the Ballet Russes for … Continue reading Forgotten Ballets: The Triumph of Neptune, 1926
Forgotten Ballets: Le chatte métamorphosée en femme, 1837
A lot of us can probably name a ballet. Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty are some of the most common answers I get when I tell people I'm interested in ballet- I've also gotten Giselle, and Anna Pavlova's Dying Swan. But there are plenty of ballets that have fallen by the wayside, some … Continue reading Forgotten Ballets: Le chatte métamorphosée en femme, 1837
Spotlight On: Dauberval + La fille mal gardée
If you're familiar with ballet, you might know a ballet called La fille mal gardée. This ballet (the name translating to The Poorly Guarded Girl) is one of the oldest surviving ones, although not with it's original choreography, or music. What we know as La fille mal gardée can be traced back to other choreographers: … Continue reading Spotlight On: Dauberval + La fille mal gardée
Spotlight On: Tamara Karsavina
Tamara Karsavina is one of the greats. Her contributions to dance are undeniable, and a rather large amount of roles she created are still in repertoire. So what was her education and life like? Her memoir, Theatre Street, covers from her birth in 1885, to the year 1918. Her main focus is on her career. … Continue reading Spotlight On: Tamara Karsavina
Madeleine's Stage 