Why Was Ballet Russes De Monte Carlo Created?

Ballet

The Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo was created in 1932 by Colonel Wassily de Basil and René Blum, who were both determined to bring their unique style of Russian ballet to the world. The original Ballet Russes was founded in 1909 by Serge Diaghilev and quickly became one of the most influential ballet companies of its time.

However, it disbanded in 1929 after Diaghilev’s death.

De Basil and Blum wanted to revive the spirit of the original Ballet Russes and create a company that could bring a fresh aesthetic to the world of ballet. To accomplish this, they collaborated with some of the best choreographers, composers, and dancers from across Europe.

The two men recruited stars such as George Balanchine, Michel Fokine, Leonide Massine, Bronislava Nijinska and Vaslav Nijinsky among many others.

The Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo was one of the first companies to perform classical Russian works on foreign stages. It also showcased a number of original creations that had never been seen before.

This included ballets such as “The Sleeping Princess”, “Petrouchka”, “Les Sylphides” and “Les Noces”. The company’s performances blended traditional Russian ballet with modernist techniques like avant-garde costumes and sets.

The success of Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo was largely due to its unique mix of artistry, creativity and technical prowess. It also showcased different aspects of Russian culture on its tours abroad which helped introduce audiences around the world to Russian artistry.

Conclusion:

The Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo was created by Colonel Wassily de Basil and René Blum in 1932 as an attempt to revive the spirit of Serge Diaghilev’s original Ballet Russes while bringing something new to the world stage. They recruited some of the best artists from across Europe in order to create a unique blend of classical Russian works with modernist techniques which helped introduce audiences around the world to Russian artistry.