Diaghilev's Empire: How the Ballets Russes Enthralled the World by Rupert Christiansen

In “Diaghilev's Empire”, Christiansen paints a vivid portrait of Serge Diaghilev – an art connoisseur with no dance training who nonetheless assembled a constellation of talent. With artists like Vaslav Nijinsky, Anna Pavlova, Igor Stravinsky and Pablo Picasso, he transformed ballet into a bold, modern art-collage that reshaped European culture.

Such was the credo of the ruthlessly manipulative and resourceful Serge Diaghilev - the Russian impresario who created the modern art form of ballet. Commissioning such legendary names as Nijinsky, Fokine, Stravinsky and Picasso, he produced a series of radically original works that had a revolutionary impact throughout the Western world. Off stage there was scandal and sensation, collaboration and competition, tempestuous affairs and a wild carousel of mayhem.

The Ballets Russes left a matchless artistic legacy, ending with the abrupt death of Diaghilev in 1929. But the achievements of its heroic prime would continue to set the standards for the next era.

"Deliciously entertaining" - Financial Times

"Gripping . . .  bursting with extraordinary characters and anecdotes" Sunday Telegraph

"An extraordinary tale, enthrallingly told" - Gramophone

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