Who Founded the Ballet Russes and When?

Ballet

The Ballet Russes is a famed ballet company that was started in 1909 by the famous ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev. The company was initially created with the intention of bringing Russian opera, ballet and culture to Paris in France. When first established, the company consisted of a group of young dancers who had come to France from Russia’s leading dance schools and companies.

The Ballet Russes quickly rose to become one of the most influential and influential ballet companies in the world. They became renowned for their avant-garde productions which blended classical Russian ballet with modernist movements from other countries, such as Italy and Spain. This fusion of styles created some of the most iconic dance pieces ever seen on stage, including works by composers such as Igor Stravinsky and Claude Debussy.

The company’s influence was not just limited to dance either; they were also instrumental in helping to popularise avant-garde art movements such as cubism, futurism and constructivism. Throughout its history, the Ballet Russes brought together some of the greatest dancers, choreographers and designers from around the world, helping to shape modern ballet as we know it today.

Alongside Sergei Diaghilev, co-founder Vladimir Stepanov played a key role in helping to establish the company’s identity and reputation. Stepanov was a highly respected dancer and choreographer who had trained with Marius Petipa at the Imperial School of Ballet before joining forces with Diaghilev. He was responsible for creating some of their earliest works, including “Le Festin” (The Feast) and “Le Pavillon d’Armide” (Armida’s Pavilion).

Despite its success, financial problems eventually forced the Ballet Russes to close its doors in 1929 after twenty years of operation. The legacy that they left behind however has continued to influence many aspects of modern art and culture worldwide, further cementing their place in history as one of the great pioneers of 20th century performance art.

In conclusion, Sergei Diaghilev founded the Ballet Russes in 1909 alongside his partner Vladimir Stepanov who helped shape its identity through his choreography work. The company went on to become one of the most influential performance art companies in history until it closed down due to financial difficulties in 1929.