More dance tales for the balletomanes out there. In London I went to see the Diaghilev exhibit at the V&A.
Room after room of sumptuous costumes, stage sets, posters, playbills, videos, background music, backstage tales from the golden age of Les Ballet Russes (1909-1929).
Imagine yourself twirling like a czar, sporting a mink hat
Illustrations/costume design from Russian Leon Bakst.
Reflect the lush aspects of these ballets.
Loaded with Russian embroidery.
Watch old Nijinsky films of the revolutionary Fire Dance.
With accompanying original costumes and drawings. Plus backstage details of the love affair between Nijinsky and Diaghilev. Until that is Les Ballets Russes went off to Argentina, where Nijinsky eloped with a ballerina, causing immediate dismissal from the company. Diaghilev went on a Bachanalian rage in Sicily.
Stage backdrops and model theaters leave you ready to forage for treasures in the V&A FAB giftshop.
Deck yourself out head-to-toe.
In Russian garb.
Including Diaghilev's famous black top hat.
While munching faux 'caviar' chocolate beans.
Balletomanes will find plenty of books 📚 to buy.
Oh why didn't I buy this piano bracelet for only 5 pds?
No Russian blinis to eat in the V&A's cafe, but the fare is excellent English traditional food.
With luscious jams at no extra charge.
Two little British Red Riding Hoods at the exhibit.
The Diaghilev-a don't-miss on until January 9, 2011
BONJOUR DIAGHILEV!
Oh, lovely, Carol! That program with the Ballets Rousses illustrations was divine. I'll have to show Joe this post--he's a huge ballet fan, and knows all about all of the Ballets Rousses individual dancers. We went to that wonderful film a few years ago all about the dancers, and he knew about every one of them. Sigh. Exquisite.
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous! I love the V&A, I go every time I'm in London. But I must admit, I spend as much time in the gift shop as I do in the museum .
ReplyDeleteCheers!
J.
Me too J is a bird...me too!
ReplyDeleteToday's blog puts me in mind of a French Film I think you'd enjoy if you've not seen it:
ReplyDeleteLa Buche
Annie
Do you know that there's an original Leon Bakst theatre here in Baltimore? It's at the Evergreen House and it in perfect condition and still has all of the original backdrops he painted.
ReplyDeleteMeg
Beuatiful images!
ReplyDeleteI saw the Ballets Russes exhibition at the Theater Museum here in Vienna. Wished I could travel to London in time to see the fabulous exhibition there! ,
I love those vintage posters!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great exhibit.
If only!!!
ReplyDeleteSaw this one in London last time was really impressed. I really loved the Picasso part of the show. But I got busted for picture taking long before I got to that part!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling this one is going to show up in fashion and design influences for a few years to come. Hope so anyway!
Wow, wow! Gorgeous, dreamy, inspiring! What a great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm asking Santa for a trip to London before this exhibit ends! It looks just marvelous~ thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCarol, this post really increased my yearning to get over to London. Also want to see the Gauguin show ... but that one will travel to DC.
ReplyDeleteI like Kerrie's comment about writing to Santa. Must start writing that letter.
Best wishes.
Oh, how lovely! The V&A is my favorite museum... have you seen Tippoo's Tiger? Also, I adore Diaghalev... Thank you! I wish I could go to London to see the exhibit!
ReplyDeletewindeater.blogspot.com
Wow - what a fabulous post! Thanks for sharing the gorgeous photos:)
ReplyDeleteThe model theater is just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThose piano bracelets followed me into my dreams!
ReplyDeleteImagine, I ordered them online for you, but I searched in vane for your address! ;-)
I search in vain (maybe with a vane attached, who knows?). ;-)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha Mille Paradise
ReplyDeleteThe V&A TRIED to stop me taking pictures
BUT NO GO!!!
I will not be STOPPED!
JAMAIS!
Merisi...very sweet of you but another bracelet I do not need. I prefer to long for it than OWN it :)
c'est comme ca
Oh, those piano bracelets are brilliant! I wish they'd been there when I visited a few weeks back, but alas... It is very surprising though (well, it was to me) just how tasty the food is at the V&A - after coming from Paris I'd expected a rude awakening, and instead found surprisingly good lunch!
ReplyDeleteI spent a week roaming Sicily, about 10 years ago.
ReplyDeleteBut I seem to have overlooked the
"Bacchanalian" part.
Perhaps next time.
Bonjour PB~
ReplyDeleteWhat an extraordinary exhibit! I love ballet and this was something I'd not seen...the costumes so lush and colorful...I'm jealous.
I must embarrasingly admit...I did not know what V&A stood for...and now I do...silly me.
Thank you another wonderful post!!
Suzanne
Regarding your piano bracelet~ I saw an amazing bracelet (very similar shape) but a replica of the "Wonder Woman" bracelets. I think you'd love it~ it was in one of those "in-flight" catalogs on American Airlines. I hope you can find it~ I see you in it.
ReplyDelete~
the Ballets Rousses illustrations was divine. I'll have to show Joe this post--he's a huge ballet fan, and knows all about all of the Ballets Rousses individual dancers. We went to that wonderful film a few years ago all about the dancers, and he knew about every one of them. Sigh. Exquisite.
ReplyDelete