Last week I went to an exhibition in London which is a ‘must see’ for anyone who likes music, ballet, design, the theatre, who is interested in Russian culture, or, indeed, for anyone who thinks they might become interested in such topics.
Running until 9th January at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes is a truly wonderful show. It demonstrates how the ballet company, founded by Diaghilev a century ago, had a transformational effect on European ballet in the early 20th century. On display are lots of beautiful costumes, many of which were purchased by the gallery when the company folded in 1926.
The Ballets Russes managed to dance on through the Russian Revolution and the First World War, but was not able to survive the death of Diaghilev, who provided the energy and commitment needed to literally keep the show on the road.
The exhibition, which is very large, goes beyond the history of the company, showing how modernist artists, such as Picasso and Goncharova influenced theatre and costume design, and how the Russian composers of the time were influenced by western (mainly French) and Far Eastern music. It also gives a good insight into the revival in interest in Russian folk culture that was taking place at the time. There are videos about how composers write for ballet and how choreographers work. In addition there are films showing extracts from Stravinky's Firebird and the Rite of Spring. Up to now I have not been a great ballet enthusiast, but the exhibition as a whole made me begin to have a glimmer of understanding.
If you are going up to London to do some Christmas shopping, or need to cheer yourself up in the early New Year, do try to go along.
