The Ballets Russes and Beyond

An important and provocative contribution to the burgeoning literature on the Ballets Russes, this book examines the relation between music, dance and the cultural politics of belle-époque Paris. Davinia Caddy presents fresh perspectives on the broadly acknowledged innovations of the Ballets Russes, opening up important new areas for debate.

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Belle-époque Paris witnessed the emergence of a vibrant and diverse dance scene, one that crystallized around the Ballets Russes, the Russian dance company formed by impresario Sergey Diaghilev. The company has long served as a convenient turning point in the history of dance, celebrated for its revolutionary choreography and innovative productions. This book presents a fresh slant on this much-told history. Focusing on the relation between music and dance, Davinia Caddy approaches the Ballets Russes with a wide-angled lens that embraces not just the choreographic, but also the cultural, political, theatrical and aesthetic contexts in which the company made its name. In addition, Caddy examines and interprets contemporary French dance practices, throwing new light on some of the most important debates and discourses of the day.