Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes

Between 1909 and 1929, Russian producer/impresario Serge Diaghilev redefined the performing arts through the innovative productions of his Ballets Russes. The Paris-based company brilliantly mixed rich cultural Russian heritage with the avant-garde modern influences of early-20th-century Europe. Diaghilev's talent lay not in creation—he was a self-admitted failure as an artist and a composer—but rather in tapping into the creative zeitgeist of the era and cajoling a wealth of innovators to collaborate. Even a brief roll call of Ballets Russes collaborators inspires awe: Vaslav Nijinsky, Anna Pavlova, George Balanchine, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Claude Debussy, and Igor Stravinsky were among the more notable artists to work under Diaghilev's direction. Ballets Russes productions quickly became legendary, although the company had its share of problems—most notably, the disastrous rupture between Diaghilev and Nijinsky. Sadly, there's no film footage of their work due to Diaghilev's refusal to allow cameras to shoot the performances. But this National Gallery of Art presentation, narrated by Tilda Swinton, does feature a wealth of archival stills, along with intricate re-creations of the Ballets Russes' groundbreaking achievements by major contemporary companies, and interviews with dancers, musicians, and scholars. Ballet lovers will greatly appreciate this insightful and intelligent tribute. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)