The Ballet Russes

Serge Pavlovich Diaghilev (1872-1929), Серге́й Па́влович Дя́гилев, Serge de Diaghileff, Sergey Dyaguileff, dictator, devil, charlatan, sorcerer, charmer - all names of a single man whose unique character and driving ambition caused a ferment in European culture. Diaghilev's greatest achievement was his dance company - the Ballets Russes.

  • Serge Diaghilev



    Serge Diaghilev
    About 1924
    © Victoria & Albert Museum, London

  • Ballet Russes on tour



    (From left to right) Roger Désormière, Serge Diaghilev, Serge Lifar, Boris Kochno, Alexandra Danilova, Felia Doubrovska and Lubov Tchernicheva on tour
    Liverpool, England
    1928
    © Victoria & Albert Museum, London

  • Poster for the Ballets Russes featuring illustration by Valentin Serov



    Poster for the Ballets Russes Featuring illustration by Valentin Serov of Anna Pavlova in Chopiniana Théatre du Châtelet Paris
    1909
    Museum no. S.561-1980
    © Victoria & Albert Museum, London

  • Costume worn by Feodor Chaliapin as Boris Godunov



    Costume worn by Feodor Chaliapin as Boris Godunov
    Designed by Alexandre Golovine, made by the Maryinsky wardrobe
    About 1908
    Museum no. S.459&A,D,E-1979
    © Victoria & Albert Museum, London

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