Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes

by Boris Kochno, Niki Ekstrom (Photographer), Adrienne Foulke (Translator)

From Diaghilev's launching of the Ballets Russes in 1909 until his death in Venice twenty years later, he was the central figure and the motive power of one of the most extraordinary experiments in creative cross-fertilization Europe has known since the Renaissance. The painters whom he persuaded to create costume and set designs became the giants of twentieth-century art--from Picasso, Braque, Miro, and Max Ernst to his compatriots, Gabo, Pevsner, Larionov, Gontcharova, and Bakst. The composers--Milhaud, Stravinsky, and dozens more--reached a new audience through his productions. And, of course, his performers have entered the pantheon of modern theatre and dance. Here is the book about that titanic figure, the story of Diaghilev in action told by his close associate for many years. In presenting his recollections of Diaghilev at work by relating them to the sixty great ballets of his career, Kochno produces a record unequaled for freshness, intimacy, information, and entertainment. The fervor of creative activity around Diaghilev is marvelously captured by the text and by original works of art of the great painters, by photographs of his greatest stars in their greatest roles--Karsavina, Ida Rubinstein, Nijinsky, Lifar, Massine, and others--and by snapshots and sketches of the painters and composers through whom his vision came into being. As part of Boris Kochno's private collection, most of the illustrative material has never been seen before. The book is a storehouse of treasures for the connoisseur, collector and lover of ballet, theatre, and art. It is a brilliant record of a great moment in modern culture.

294 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Chiara Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and detailed collection of facts, photos and sketches about each ballet of the Ballets Russes company. it gets richer during the kochno years for obvious reasons.