Judith Chazin-Bennahum
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195399332
- eISBN:
- 9780199897025
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195399332.003.0007
- Subject:
- Music, Dance
This chapter follows the events leading to the recreation of the Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo in April 1932, describing Blum’s relationship with his partner Colonel de Basil, which soured very ...
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This chapter follows the events leading to the recreation of the Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo in April 1932, describing Blum’s relationship with his partner Colonel de Basil, which soured very quickly, and the exciting and invigorating debut of the company. It details the brilliant premieres that Balanchine as ballet master created for the opening season and the work of several other choreographers, notably Leonide Massine and Michel Fokine. Balanchine was soon replaced by Massine, and this action gave Massine a strong upper hand in the company, with an impressive male contingent bringing the new company tremendous panache. The chapter recounts Massine’s introduction of the symphonic ballet, as well as many other successful creations, and speaks to the major importance of the company’s tours to London and Paris, throughout Europe, and to the United States. The chapter also depicts de Basil’s betrayal of Blum and details the saga of Blum’s contractual efforts to free himself, which he finally did after the Monte Carlo season in 1935. It concludes with the birth of Blum’s new company, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, with Fokine as the major choreographer.Less
This chapter follows the events leading to the recreation of the Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo in April 1932, describing Blum’s relationship with his partner Colonel de Basil, which soured very quickly, and the exciting and invigorating debut of the company. It details the brilliant premieres that Balanchine as ballet master created for the opening season and the work of several other choreographers, notably Leonide Massine and Michel Fokine. Balanchine was soon replaced by Massine, and this action gave Massine a strong upper hand in the company, with an impressive male contingent bringing the new company tremendous panache. The chapter recounts Massine’s introduction of the symphonic ballet, as well as many other successful creations, and speaks to the major importance of the company’s tours to London and Paris, throughout Europe, and to the United States. The chapter also depicts de Basil’s betrayal of Blum and details the saga of Blum’s contractual efforts to free himself, which he finally did after the Monte Carlo season in 1935. It concludes with the birth of Blum’s new company, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, with Fokine as the major choreographer.
