Diaghilev
A Life
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- € 9,99
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- € 9,99
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This magnificent new biography of the extraordinary impresario of the arts and creator of the Ballets Russes 100 years ago draws on important new research, notably from Russia.
'Scheijen masterfully recounts the phenomenal way in which Diaghilev contrived, under virtually impossible circumstances, to nurture a sequence of works ... he triumphs in making clear the degree to which, despite the cosmopolitanism of so much of the work, Russia was at the core of Diaghilev' Simon Callow, Guardian
'It's a fabulous, complicated, very sexy story and Sjeng Scheijen takes us through it with a steadying calm that fudges none of the outrage on or off stage' Duncan Fallowell, Daily Express
'Magnificent ... filled with extraordinary glamour' Rupert Christiansen, Daily Mail
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In Scheijen's words, Sergey Diaghilev (1872 1929), the brilliant impresario who created the Ballets Russes, both revolutionized and scandalized the worlds of art, ballet, and music by presenting "subversive art in a lavish setting." Beginning with exhibitions and publications in czarist Russia, he combined artistic vision with a genius for talent spotting and cajolery that enabled him to produce avant garde ballets from Fokine's Firdbird to Nijinsky's Rite of Spring; his last great choreographic discovery was Balanchine. Scheijen, a specialist in Russian art, intertwines excerpts from the diaries and correspondence of artists, patrons, and Diaghilev's family to convey the tumult of Diaghilev's personal and professional life. From homosexual entanglements with his artists to the financial difficulties that beset him throughout his career, the impresario relentlessly pursued his revolutionary artistic vision, often at the expense of others' feelings. The parade of great dancers, composers, and artists through Diaghilev's life give this book the sweep of a Russian novel with a fascinating, brilliant, and complex protagonist who, according to the author, lived a very public life, but kept his most intimate feelings hidden. 8 color and 64 b&w photos.
