The Great History of the Russian Ballet: Its Art and Choreography (Temporis)

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 208 pages
• Published by: Parkstone Press Ltd; Ubr edition March 1999
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1859951759
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1859951750
• Book Dimensions: 12.9 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 3.3 pounds

From Library Journal
The history of Russian ballet, from its beginnings as a segment of operatic productions to the present, is covered by a team of Russian ballet scholars and critics in this gorgeously illustrated volume. The years are grouped into categoriesAe.g., the Age of Marius Petipa, the Reforms of Fokine and GorskyAand each chapter is introduced with an overview of the period followed by lengthy biographical entries on the luminaries of that time, including choreographers, teachers, and dancers. The illustrative materialAlargely from Russian museum collections and in most cases not previously publishedAconsists of portraits, stage sets, reproductions of paintings and sketches, costume designs, and performance photographs and is the strength of the publication. The text is accessible, but readers will be aware that it is in translation, and the book lacks certain Western conventions: contributors are cited only in the acknowledgments, paragraphs are few and far between, phrasing is sometimes awkward, and there are no picture credits. Recommended for public and university collections.AJoan Stahl, National Museum of American Art, Washington, DC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Although the techniques of classical ballet were invented by French and Italian masters two hundred years ago, the Russian Ballet refined these techiques, thus enhancing its already superb performances. In 1738, the first professional school of dance opened in St. Petersburg. During the 18th century, the Russian Ballet became known for its tragic and its comic ballets. The Russian Ballet reached is apogee during the 19th century. The second half of the 19th century was marked by the collaboration of Petipa, the French choreographer, withe the Russian composer Tchaikovsky. In the early 20th century, Diaghilev delighted audiences in the West by presenting his Ballets Russes with suprememly talented choreographers, dancers, compers, and set deisgners. The book offers an encyclopedic overview of the entire history of the Russian Ballet, written by a team of scholars.