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Highly desirable collection of elusive and superbly produced ephemeral publications, offering a rich panorama of the two decades of the Ballets Russes, and featuring the leading lights of the company - Bakst, Rubinstein, Nijinsky; the whole reflecting the very highest standards of Diaghilev himself, who, in the words of his highly acclaimed biographer, "would never allow quality to suffer" (Sjeng Scheijen, Diaghilev: A Life, 2009, p. 405). [Souvenir programme:] Théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt Mai-Juin 1911. Grande Saison Russe: Opéras et Ballets. Organisée par "L'Association pour la Propagation de la Musique Slave" avec le concours d'Artistes des Théâtres Impériaux de Saint-Pétersbourg et Moscou et des principaux Théâtres de France et de 'Etranger. Paris: Publications Willy Fischer, 1911 Square quarto, pp. 32. Original pictorial wrappers designed by Jean Portalez, wire-stitched. Portraits from photographs and adverts throughout. Light creasing and signs of handling to wrappers otherwise very good. Eye-catching souvenir programme clearly inspired by the enormous impact of the first two seasons of the Ballet Russes in Paris (1909-10), when "audiences were dazzled by the dancing and striking designs" (V&A), its title echoing Diaghilev's original billing of a "Saison Russe". The repertoire for the season at the Théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt comprised five operas, including Dargomyzhsky's Rusalka, Eugene Onegin, and Anton Rubinstein's Le Démon, and "sketches" from four ballets including La Forêt enchantée by Riccardo Drigo. The striking cover design is by Jean Portalez who did much stylish work for the French humour magazines Le Rire and Journal Amusant and was a frequent contributor to La Nouvelle Mode. One copy only located on Library Hub, at New York Public Library. Com dia Illustré - Numero Special. Les Russes au Châtelet. Paris: Com dia Illustré, 1911 Quarto. Original pictorial wrappers, front cover with colour design by Bakst for the ballet Narcisse (premiered in 1911), wire-stitched. With the translucent paper wrapper. Monochrome illustrations and adverts throughout, one colour plate (costume design by Bakst).One 4-page section loose, light signs of handling otherwise very good. Attractive special number of the Com dia Illustré, dedicated to Le Martyre de saint Sébastien, a five-act mystery play by Gabriele D'Annunzio, with incidental music by Debussy and scenery and costumes by Bakst, designed as a vehicle for the inspirational Ida Rubinstein. Com dia Illustré - Théatre du Châtelet, Grande Saison de Paris. du 4 Mai au 10 Mai 1912 Six Représentations de Gala: Hélène de Sparte. du 10 Juin au 20 Juin 1912 Six Représentations de Gala: Salomé. Paris: Com dia Illustré, 1912 Quarto. Original pictorial wrappers, front cover printed in silver and blue showing costume design by Bakst for Ida Rubinstein as Hélène, wire-stitched. With the translucent paper cover wrapper printed in gold and green, with copper-coloured cord. Colour and monochrome illustrations and adverts throughout, all printed within gold borders. Light signs of handling to cover wrapper, a few short closed-tears to periphery otherwise very good. Beautifully produced special issue of the Com dia Illustré, dedicated to two productions, Hélène de Sparte (Verhaeren's tragedy, music by Deodat de Severac, decorations and costumes by Bakst, mise en scène by Sanine) and Wilde's Salomé (music by Glazunov, mise en scène by Sanine, Dance of Salome choreographed by Fokine). Illustrations include colour plates of Bakst's costume and scenery, portraits of the leading participants. One copy only located on Library Hub, at BnF. Com dia Illustré - Grande Saison de Paris. Programme official des Ballets Russes. Septieme Saison de Ballets Russes. Mai-Juin 1912. Paris: Com dia Illustré, 1912 Quarto. Original pictorial wrappers, front cover with colour design by Bakst (showing Nijinksy in L'Apres-Midi d'un Faune), wire-stitched. With the translucent paper cover wrapper printed in blue and gold, art nouv.
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