Why is the Ballets Russes so famous?
The Russian ballet troupe the Ballets Russes became famous in May 1909 when the company performed an innovative ballet for an elite audience in Paris, France. Created by Russian impresario (arts promoter) Sergey Diaghilev (1872–1929), the company performed works choreographed by Michel Folkine (1880–1942). The beauty of the choreography (dance movements), set design, and musical scores was enhanced by the performances of the lead dancers—the athletic vigor of Vaslav Nijinsky (1890–1950), the delicate beauty of Tamara Karsavina (1885–1978), and the expressiveness of Anna Pavlova (1881–1931). The Ballets Russes freed ballet from its former constraints and conventions, bringing about changes in choreography, performance, costuming, and design. The company’s chief set designer Leon Bakst (1866–1924) influenced not only stage designs but also women’s fashions in general by…
