- 24
Russian Ballet & Opera
bidding is closed
Description
A fine group of two autograph letters, one typed receipt, and three signed photographs, ca. 1912 – 1970, plus a book of photographs, see below:
Bakst, Leon Nikolaevich. Autograph letter, signed “Bakst,” in French. To an unnamed friend. Paris: 17 June, no year [ca. 1912]. 8vo, 2 pages, on stationery with his address and the monogram “LB” surmounted by a Star of David, framed with portrait. The painter, scene designer (1866-1924) and artistic director for the Ballets Russes discusses The Enchanted Night (for which he designed costumes) and the success of Fokine’s Daphnis et Chloe (for which he designed the scenery). The latter premiered in Paris 8 June 1912. An English translation is included.
Diaghilev, Sergei. Autograph letter, signed “Diaghilev,” in French. To the impresario Gabriel Astruc. [St. Petersburg], 17 January 1911. 12mo, 2 pages, framed with portrait. “I have received the contract for “Dieu Bleu” [premiered at the Ballets Russes in May 1912]. Please tell Reynolds that I await news and his arrival in St. Petersburg at the end of the month.”
Nijinksky, Waslav. Typed receipt, signed “W. Nijinsky.” Buenos Aires, 16 September 1917. Folio, 1 page, framed with photograph. A receipt signed by then the most famous male dancer in the world, for the equivalent of $500 for appearing that day in the Sylphides and Scheherazade. Symptoms of Nijinsky’s madness were beginning to affect performances during this tour in Argentina, and the last time he ever danced was ten days later (26 September, in Spectre de la Rose and Petruschka). An English translation is included.
Chaliapin, Fyodor. Photograph, signed and inscribed “To Mr. George King, Success, F.Chaliapin.” London: July 1928. 8 ½ x 6 ½ in.; 215 x 165 mm. The opera singer, who is best known for his title role in Boris Godunov. George King was a dancer for Diaghilev.
Nureyev, Rudolf. Two signed photographs. 8 x 10, 9 ¼ x 7 ¾ in.; 204 x 254, 235 x 198 mm. Framed.
[With:]
Meyer, Adolphe de, photographer – Richard Benson, printer. L’Après-midi d’un Faune Nijinsky 1912. New York: Eakins, London: Dance Books Ltd., no date. Folio, in a cloth portfolio. Printed by the Stinehour Press. Tipped-in photographs.
Bakst, Leon Nikolaevich. Autograph letter, signed “Bakst,” in French. To an unnamed friend. Paris: 17 June, no year [ca. 1912]. 8vo, 2 pages, on stationery with his address and the monogram “LB” surmounted by a Star of David, framed with portrait. The painter, scene designer (1866-1924) and artistic director for the Ballets Russes discusses The Enchanted Night (for which he designed costumes) and the success of Fokine’s Daphnis et Chloe (for which he designed the scenery). The latter premiered in Paris 8 June 1912. An English translation is included.
Diaghilev, Sergei. Autograph letter, signed “Diaghilev,” in French. To the impresario Gabriel Astruc. [St. Petersburg], 17 January 1911. 12mo, 2 pages, framed with portrait. “I have received the contract for “Dieu Bleu” [premiered at the Ballets Russes in May 1912]. Please tell Reynolds that I await news and his arrival in St. Petersburg at the end of the month.”
Nijinksky, Waslav. Typed receipt, signed “W. Nijinsky.” Buenos Aires, 16 September 1917. Folio, 1 page, framed with photograph. A receipt signed by then the most famous male dancer in the world, for the equivalent of $500 for appearing that day in the Sylphides and Scheherazade. Symptoms of Nijinsky’s madness were beginning to affect performances during this tour in Argentina, and the last time he ever danced was ten days later (26 September, in Spectre de la Rose and Petruschka). An English translation is included.
Chaliapin, Fyodor. Photograph, signed and inscribed “To Mr. George King, Success, F.Chaliapin.” London: July 1928. 8 ½ x 6 ½ in.; 215 x 165 mm. The opera singer, who is best known for his title role in Boris Godunov. George King was a dancer for Diaghilev.
Nureyev, Rudolf. Two signed photographs. 8 x 10, 9 ¼ x 7 ¾ in.; 204 x 254, 235 x 198 mm. Framed.
[With:]
Meyer, Adolphe de, photographer – Richard Benson, printer. L’Après-midi d’un Faune Nijinsky 1912. New York: Eakins, London: Dance Books Ltd., no date. Folio, in a cloth portfolio. Printed by the Stinehour Press. Tipped-in photographs.