Leon Bakst's Costume Design for Natasha Trouhanova as the Peri in "La Peri" (1911)
A leading feature in the appearance of Ballets Russes are the gorgeous color combinations of Leon Bakst, whose work was the sensation of art galleries and a dominant influence in the fashion world. He was the most distinguished artist in line and color that the theater had at the time. The beauty of Diaghilev's company springs from the costumes and scenery that Bakst designed for it. "Color should afford a joy for the eye." - Bakst
La Peri is a ballet by French composer Paul Dukas about a man’s search for immortality and his encounter with the mythological Peri which carries the flower of immortality.
“Paul Dukas wrote the music in 1911 as a dance poem in one scene… He was commissioned to write the music for the Ballets Russes with designs by Leon Bakst, with Natalia Trouhanova as the Peri and Vaslav Nijinsky as Iskender. However, because Serge Diaghilev did not feel that Trouhanova was enough a skilled dancer to be a partner to Nijinsky, the production was cancelled. Trouhanova eventually commissioned Ivan Clustine to choreograph the music, and the work premiered in Paris on April 22, 1912, with Bekefi as Iskender and designs by Rene Piot.” [Wikipedia]
Leon Bakst's Costume Design for Natasha Trouhanova as the Peri in "La Peri" (1911)
A leading feature in the appearance of Ballets Russes are the gorgeous color combinations of Leon Bakst, whose work was the sensation of art galleries and a dominant influence in the fashion world. He was the most distinguished artist in line and color that the theater had at the time. The beauty of Diaghilev's company springs from the costumes and scenery that Bakst designed for it. "Color should afford a joy for the eye." - Bakst
La Peri is a ballet by French composer Paul Dukas about a man’s search for immortality and his encounter with the mythological Peri which carries the flower of immortality.
“Paul Dukas wrote the music in 1911 as a dance poem in one scene… He was commissioned to write the music for the Ballets Russes with designs by Leon Bakst, with Natalia Trouhanova as the Peri and Vaslav Nijinsky as Iskender. However, because Serge Diaghilev did not feel that Trouhanova was enough a skilled dancer to be a partner to Nijinsky, the production was cancelled. Trouhanova eventually commissioned Ivan Clustine to choreograph the music, and the work premiered in Paris on April 22, 1912, with Bekefi as Iskender and designs by Rene Piot.” [Wikipedia]