Ballets Russes collections in the spotlight.

• Author: Christofis, Lee

A National Library of Australia exhibition due to open on 9 April 2009 will celebrate the centenary of Serge Diaghilev's uniquely creative Ballets Russes (1909-1929) and the visits to Australia and New Zealand by three Ballets Russes companies under the artistic leadership of Colonel Wassily de Basil between 1936 and 1940.

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These companies, which trace their lineage back to Diaghilev's company, were inheritors of much of the Diaghilev repertoire as well as creating their own new productions. Their other inheritance was a number of key players from the Diaghilev era. With the Australia tours came Serge Grigoriev, whose title with Diaghilev and de Basil was regisseur generale, in today's terms, repertoire...