Sergei Diaghilev — impresario (ballet) with roots in the Russian Empire
Sergei Diaghilev was a Russian art critic and impresario born near Novgorod who founded the Ballets Russes — the most important arts organisation of the early 20th century. He commissioned The Rite of Spring (Stravinsky), Parade (Satie/Picasso), and dozens of other landmark works, collaborating with Picasso, Matisse, Coco Chanel, Prokofiev, and Debussy.
Tracing the roots — Novgorod
Born in Selishchi near Novgorod in 1872 to an aristocratic Russian family, Diaghilev grew up steeped in Russian musical culture before moving to St. Petersburg and then Paris. His Ballets Russes — founded in 1909 — brought together the greatest artists of the 20th century and produced more influential art per square foot than any other enterprise in history.
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Novgorod. At the time, this region lay within the Russian Empire, which spanned from Poland to the Pacific.
A career defined by ambition
"Astonish me."