RUSSIAN BALLET: THE PRE REVOLUTION YEARS

Ballet is still a Russian national treasure, yet never so more than the pre revolution years. Before the revolution in 1917, the late 19th century and early 20th century was dominated by ballet. Prominent choreographer Diaghilev created his famous company, the Ballet Russe, made up of the finest dancers and the most exciting and prominent costume and set designers.

Ballet costumes and dancers from this period differ from the ballet designs featured today. These dancers were more well built, unlike the weightless waif like look that is desired today. The infamous tutu design has also been altered drastically. The multilayered midi length skirt was used in old romantic ballets, in contrast to todays shortened tutu that reveals the whole leg. This style was not introduced until after the second world war.

Footwear in Russian ballet has also evolved. The pointe shoes were first adopted during the mid 19th century (and still in use today) however some parts of the ballet also required heeled shoes, which have now completely dissapeared from the ballet stage.

Anna Pavlova :

Born in St Petersberg in 1881, Anna Pavlova was the most-celebrated dancer of her time. Pavlova studied at the Imperial School of Ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre from 1891, joined the Imperial Ballet in 1899, and became a prima ballerina in 1906. In 1909 she went to Paris on the historic tour of the Ballets Russes (by chorepgrapher Diaghilev). Pavlova became a dancer at the right time, as Tsarist Russia maintained magnificent imperial schools for the performing arts. Pavlova continued to dance independently with her own company throughout the world.

* There are a lot of similarities between the character description of Madame Fidolia and Anna Pavlova. I plan on using some of Pavlova’s work as an influence in my costume designs of Madame Fidolia, as relatively little information is given about her in the book. Following on from my director research of Greta Gerwig, I want to experiment with designing for flashback sequences (like those in Little Women) where we would see Madame Fidolia at her dancing prime during the pre revolution years in St Petersberg.