The Business of Ballet

""Ira Nadel's history of dance, art, music, and cultural politics weaves together three compelling stories. A bold, new assessment of the brilliant, charismatic but temperamental Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev and the innovative theatrical modernism wrought by his fabled company, the Ballets Russes. Alongside these two singular accomplishments, a third uneasy tale gradually takes center stage-- how precarious finances, errant management, and increasing commercial imperatives contributed to both his and the company's demise in 1929."" --Michael Earley, Cambridge University ""This is a fascinating study that cleverly addresses a fundamental question: how did the Ballets Russes stay operational in the turbulent years before, during, and after the First World War? It is an engaging narrative that is both well-written, analytical, and compelling, adorned with illuminating anecdotes and informative quotations of the actors involved. The study sheds light on the strategic labor behind this innovative business venture of Diaghilev; one that launched the careers of collaborating artists, musicians, set designers, and dancers and dazzled audiences across the globe"" --Ilyana Karthas, University of Missouri-Columbia and author of When Ballet Became French Ira Nadel's history of dance, art, music, and cultural politics weaves together three compelling stories. A bold, new assessment of the brilliant, charismatic but temperamental Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev and the innovative theatrical modernism wrought by his fabled company, the Ballets Russes. Alongside these two singular accomplishments, a third uneasy tale gradually takes center stage-- how precarious finances, errant management, and increasing commercial imperatives contributed to both his and the company's demise in 1929. This is a fascinating study that cleverly addresses a fundamental question: how did the Ballets Russes stay operational in the turbulent years before, during, and after the First World War? It is an engaging narrative that is both well-written, analytical, and compelling, adorned with illuminating anecdotes and informative quotations of the actors involved. The study sheds light on the strategic labor behind this innovative business venture of Diaghilev; one that launched the careers of collaborating artists, musicians, set designers, and dancers and dazzled audiences across the globe