Behind the Scenes at the Ballets Russes: Stories from a Silver Age

by Michael Meylac, Rosanna Kelly (Translation), Ismene Brown (Preface)

The Ballets Russes was perhaps the most iconic, yet at the same time mysterious, ballet company of the twentieth century. Inspired by the unique vision of their founder Sergei Diaghilev, the company gained a large international following. In the mid-twentieth century - during the tumultuous years of World War II and the Cold War - the Ballets Russes companies kept the spirit and traditions of Russian ballet alive in the West, touring extensively in America, Europe and Australia. This important new book uncovers previously-unseen interviews and provides insights into the lives of the great figures of the age - from the dancers Anna Pavlova and Alicia Markova to the choreographers Leonide Massine, George Balanchine and Anton Dolin. The dancers' own words reveal what life was really like for the stars of the Ballets Russes and provide fascinating new insights into one of the most vibrant and creative groups of artists of the modern age.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

360 pages, Hardcover

Published December 8, 2017

Reviews

[Lily Windsor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have some mixed feelings on this one.
It's difficult for me to asses because of the nature of the book is entirely interviews and personal accounts--which means of course that it is factual to each individual and objectively quite a feat to assemble! But if I'm being totally honest, I found it a bit difficult to get through at times being so dry cut.

I'm very grateful for getting so many accounts from dancers, teachers, and choreographers alike, but I do feel that many folks were likely left out.
I find myself wishing that Meylac had sought out these individuals (the backstage crew, musicians, artists, costume makers, designers, etc.) with some of the searching vigor he approached the dancers with.

On the flip side though--I will say that I was definitely not educated enough on the original Ballet Russes history to fully understand and follow the anecdotes in this book, and that is my fault haha.
Though I think I would've appreciated a little more background information on some of the people involved and plots of the ballets themselves to help me grasp what the interviewees meant.

Still, wonderful stories and images--it's truly so heartening to know how dedicated to this art form and (short lived but) glorious company so many people were. And of course see that trickle of history and individuals carrying on through so many countries, cultures, and artists.
Final review: I would give it three and a half stars if I could, but alas.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a treat to anyone interested in Ballets Russes' long history. However even as a ballet fan, a lot of this book was over my head in terms of knowledge. Since the book is a Q&A style, I think I needed to read another book about the Ballets Russes first to fully appreciate and understand all the interview subjects. I think some more background on the person being interviewed before the Q&A would have been helpful as I didn't recognize many of the names. But overall, the author should be commended for his fantastic research!

[Sharon Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains some biographical material on prominent dancers of the Ballets Russes, including many I'm afraid I'd never heard of! Interesting, but definitely strictly for balletomanes