Here’s a list of some favourite books from our wonderful dance historian Caroline Hamilton :
This week I thought I would share my favourite books relating to the Ballets Russes and Anna Pavlova Companies.
They are a mix of biographies and collection guides and are all available on Amazon or Abe Books:
Dancing for Diaghilev: The Memoirs of Lydia Sokolova by Lydia Sokolova – a great memoir by Sokolova (born Hilda Munnings from Essex) who danced with the Ballets Russes from 1913 to 1929.
The Diaghilev Ballet 1909-1929 by Serge Grigoriev – one of my favourite books, a fantastic autobiography by the former regisseur for the Ballets Russes. It gives a really good insight into the day-to-day life of the company.
Fokine: Memoirs of a Ballet Master translated by Vitale Fokine – this is a really interesting book and covers each of Fokine’s ballets individually.
The Art of Ballets Russes: The Serge Lifar Collection of Theater Designs, Costumes, and Paintings at the Wadsworth Atheneum by Alexander Schouvaloff – a beautiful guide to the costume and design collection at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford.
Ballets Russes: The Stockholm Collection by Erik Näslund – a stunning book covering the Ballets Russes collection held in Stockholm.
Irina: Ballet, Life & Love by Irina Baronova – a great memoir by one of the first ‘baby’ ballerinas.
Speaking of Diaghilev by John Drummond – an invaluable book covering twenty-two interviews with collaborators, dancers and associates of the Ballets Russes.
My Years with Pavlova by Harcourt Algeranoff – another of my absolute favourite books by Pavlova Company dancer Harcourt Algeranoff.
Anna Pavlova: In Art & Life by Victor Dandré – a fascinating look into the life and career of Anna Pavlova through the eyes of her manager and the man rumoured to be her husband.
Anna Pavlova: Her Life & Art by Keith Money – one of the most comprehensive guides to the life and career of Pavlova.
