Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
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Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was an influential ballet company that existed from 1932 to 1963.
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[edit] History
The first Ballet Russe company was founded by Sergei Diagalev in 1909. Until the death of Diagalev in 1929, that company was aguably the most famous, creative and successful ballet company that had ever existed. With his death, the company dissolved. Its property - including the name - was claimed by creditors.
[edit] The New Company
In 1933, Rene Blum and Colonel Vassily de Basil founded a new company called the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Choreographers Leonide Massine and George Balanchine, who had both worked for the former company, joined this new company and created some of their greatest works. Ballerinas such as Alexandra Danilova, Alicia Markova, and Maria Tallchief danced with the company.
[edit] The Split
In 1938, de Basil and Massine went separate ways. De Basil founded a company called the Original Ballet Russe which toured mainly in Europe, while Massine's company retained the Monte Carlo name and toured mainly in the United States.
[edit] The End
In 1968, the company went bankrupt. Many of the dancers who had served with the company founded dance companies of their own across the United States and Europe.
[edit] References
Geller, Daniel and Goldfine, Dayna (Directors). Ballets Russes [Documentary]. Zeitgeist Films.
