Ballet Russes
Essay title: Discuss the impact that *…..* had on the world of classical ballet.
The Ballet Russe
Dance, as we know it today, has evolved into a tremendously popular aesthetically pleasing form of entertainment. It merges with other forms of art to create one master piece, a sort of melting pot of art. Before the time of Diaghilev and the Ballet Russe, dancing was not nearly as exciting and stimulating to watch, much less as popular. In the mere twenty years of its existence, “the Ballet Russe accomplished more in the development of the art form than any single institution in history.” Established in 1909, the Ballet Russe was successful from the very beginning. Not only did the ballets have beautiful choreography by brilliant choreographers such as Fokine, but also had willing and talented artists and musicians completing the package. This influenced society immensely, from fashion to the way art was appreciated. For example, the colorful settings in Sheherazade made by Leon Bakst, inspired the new “Oriental” look in home decorating and in clothes. Now famous painters such as Picasso, Braque, Rouault, and Matisse got clear exposure to the public eye in their set designs and paintings, peaking interest in new forms of visual art. All of this of course, would have never happened if it wasn’t for Diaghilev.
When appreciated, ballet is an art without words (Lawson, v). A ballet dancer expresses everything through the movement of his body (v). His body is like a fine instrument, carefully tuned and maintained to perfection so when played, represents a work of absolute beauty. Mikhail Fokine, one of the great Russian ballet masters of the 20th century, once said that if it were necessary to “read a libretto before the ballet [could be] understood,” then the choreographer had failed (v). In the 1900’s, the Russians became a driving force in the art of ballet. Much of Europe, and even America, was greatly influenced by the Russians’ superb skill and their
The Ballet Russe
Dance, as we know it today, has evolved into a tremendously popular aesthetically pleasing form of entertainment. It merges with other forms of art to create one master piece, a sort of melting pot of art. Before the time of Diaghilev and the Ballet Russe, dancing was not nearly as exciting and stimulating to watch, much less as popular. In the mere twenty years of its existence, “the Ballet Russe accomplished more in the development of the art form than any single institution in history.” Established in 1909, the Ballet Russe was successful from the very beginning. Not only did the ballets have beautiful choreography by brilliant choreographers such as Fokine, but also had willing and talented artists and musicians completing the package. This influenced society immensely, from fashion to the way art was appreciated. For example, the colorful settings in Sheherazade made by Leon Bakst, inspired the new “Oriental” look in home decorating and in clothes. Now famous painters such as Picasso, Braque, Rouault, and Matisse got clear exposure to the public eye in their set designs and paintings, peaking interest in new forms of visual art. All of this of course, would have never happened if it wasn’t for Diaghilev.
When appreciated, ballet is an art without words (Lawson, v). A ballet dancer expresses everything through the movement of his body (v). His body is like a fine instrument, carefully tuned and maintained to perfection so when played, represents a work of absolute beauty. Mikhail Fokine, one of the great Russian ballet masters of the 20th century, once said that if it were necessary to “read a libretto before the ballet [could be] understood,” then the choreographer had failed (v). In the 1900’s, the Russians became a driving force in the art of ballet. Much of Europe, and even America, was greatly influenced by the Russians’ superb skill and their