Concert Ballet of Virginia Honors Ballets Russes

One hundred years ago, legendary Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev changed the course of dance history with the founding of the Ballets Russes.

The Russian company, which never actually performed in Russia, opened in Paris in 1909 with a revolutionary aesthetic that redefined ballet for the 20th century. Reinventing an art form that had grown stale elsewhere, the company incorporated new choreography, new music and new stars.

The centennial of the Ballets Russes will be celebrated internationally. In Richmond, the Concert Ballet of Virginia will open its fall season with tributes to Diaghilev tomorrow at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at The Woman's Club auditorium, 211 E. Franklin St.

Diaghilev united talent from all artistic fields to stage dance according to his standards. His work is credited with elevating ballet to a respected art in the West.

Robert Watkins, artistic director of the Concert Ballet of Virginia since 1976, attended a performance of Ballets Russes at The Mosque, now the Landmark Theater, in the late 1930s.

During its first three seasons, the Richmond-based concert ballet performed dances as they were produced by Diaghilev. "We decided it was time to do it again, especially when we realized we were at the 100th anniversary of the ballet coming to Paris," Watkins said.

The program will open with "Les Sylphides," known as Chopiniana in Russia. The dance, choreographed by Michel Fokine, is set to music by Frédéric Chopin.

"It was Diaghilev's favorite, and the only one where we actually have their accurate choreography," Watkins said. "The other pieces were choreographed locally in the style of Diaghilev."

The remainder of the program will include "Carnaval" and "Les Papillons," set to music by Robert Schumann, and "Prince Igor," set to music by Aleksandr Borodin.

deVeaux Riddick, designer and technical director of the concert ballet, has re-created scenery that originally was designed by Alexandre Benois.

Watkins, Riddick and associate artistic director Scott Boyer have been the creative forces behind the concert ballet for more than 30 years. The company is known for staging affordable, full-scale productions at convenient locations throughout the state, while providing training and creative opportunities within a professional dance company.

Diaghilev and partner Léon Bakst developed a form of ballet with elements intended to appeal to the general public rather than aristocracy.

The exotic Ballets Russes influenced Fauvist painters and the budding Art Deco style.

The classic 1948 British movie "The Red Shoes" is said to be a thinly disguised fictionalization of the Ballets Russes.

Contact Julie Young at (804) 649-6732 or .