20th century and modernism History of ballet

anna pavlova bacchante in seasons marius petipa , alexander glazunov.

sergei diaghilev brought ballet full-circle paris when opened company, ballets russes. made of dancers russian exile community in paris after revolution.

diaghilev , composer igor stravinsky merged talents bring russian folklore life in firebird , petrushka choreographed fokine. diaghilev s next choreographic commissions went nijinsky. first ballet l apres-midi d un faune (afternoon of faun) music debussy. notable 2 dimensional shapes , lack of ballet technique. caused controversy depicting faun rubbing scarf of 1 of maidens on himself, in simulated masturbation. controversial work of ballets russes however, rite of spring, choreographed nijinsky music stravinsky. ballet s modern music, pigeon toed stomping , theme of human sacrifice shocked audiences rioted.

after “golden age” of petipa, michel fokine began career in st. petersburg moved paris , worked diaghilev , ballets russes.

vaslav nijinsky in spectre of rose, 1911.

russian ballet continued development under soviet rule. there little talent left in country after revolution, enough seed new generation. after stagnation in 1920s, mid-1930s new generation of dancers , choreographers appeared on scene. technical perfection , precision of dance promoted (and demanded) agrippina vaganova, had been taught petipa , cecchetti , headed vaganova ballet academy, school prepare dancers kirov ballet in st. petersburg/leningrad.

ballet popular public. both moscow-based bolshoi , st. petersburg (then leningrad)-based kirov ballet companies active. ideological pressure forced creation of many socialist realist pieces, of made little impression on public , removed repertoire of both companies later.

some pieces of era, however, remarkable. romeo , juliet prokofiev , lavrovsky masterpiece. flames of paris, while shows faults of socialist realist art, pioneered active use of corps de ballet in performance , required stunning virtuosity. ballet version of pushkin poem, fountain of bakhchisarai music boris asafiev , choreography rostislav zakharov hit.

the well-known ballet cinderella, prokofiev provided music, product of soviet ballet. during soviet era, these pieces unknown outside soviet union , later outside of eastern bloc. however, after collapse of soviet union received more recognition.

the 1999 north american premiere of fountain of bakhchisarai kirov ballet in new york outstanding success, example. soviet era of russian ballet put lot of emphasis on technique, virtuosity , strength. demanded strength above norm of contemporary western dancers. when watching restored old footage, 1 can marvel @ talent of prima ballerinas such galina ulanova, natalya dudinskaya , maya plisetskaya , choreographers such pyotr gusev.

russian companies, particularly after world war ii engaged in multiple tours on world revitalized ballet in west.

maiden tower written afrasiyab badalbeyli first ballet in muslim east.

united states of america

following move of ballets russes france, ballet began have broader influence, particularly in united states of america.

from paris, after disagreements diaghilev, fokine went sweden , usa , settled in new york. diaghilev believed traditional ballet offered little more prettiness , athletic display. fokine not enough. in addition technical virtuosity demanded drama, expression , historical authenticity. choreographer must research period , cultural context of setting , reject traditional tutu in favour of accurate period costuming.

fokine choreographed sheherazade , cleopatra. reworked petrouchka , firebird. 1 of famous works dying swan, performed anna pavlova. beyond talents ballerina, pavlova had theatrical gifts fulfill fokine s vision of ballet drama. legend has pavlova identified swan role requested swan costume deathbed.

the dying swan choreographed fokine, performed 3 soloists (shown in order): 1. anna pavlova (7 seconds) 2. yvette chauvire (10 seconds) 3. natalia makarova (14 seconds).

george balanchine developed state-of-the-art technique in america opening school in chicago , more importantly, in new york. adapted ballet new media, movies , television. prolific worker, balanchine rechoreographed classics such swan lake , sleeping beauty creating new ballets. produced original interpretations of dramas of william shakespeare such romeo , juliet , midsummer night s dream, , of franz léhar s merry widow.

in 1967, balanchine s jewels broke narrative tradition , dramatized theme rather plot. focus fits state-sponsored funding sources in united states sought encourage liberty , freethinking in contrast narrative-driven dance, seen connected closely socialism, soviet communism. today, partly balanchine, ballet 1 of well-preserved dances in world.

barbara karinska russian emigree , skilled seamstress collaborated balanchine elevate art of costume design secondary role integral part of ballet performance. introduced bias cut , simplified classic tutu allowed dancer more freedom of movement. meticulous attention detail, decorated tutus beadwork, embroidery, crochet , appliqué.