Poor chap – his story here on my blog keeps getting shorter – too much going … while Diaghilev (1872 - 1929), the impresario, deserves serious treatment – bearing in mind the influence he had on Russian and ultimately Western culture …
His early life was surrounded by a large family and friends in Perm, near the Ural mountains … where they'd created a local cultural centre – and where he sang, composed and read voraciously. Also he was always surrounded by dictionaries and maps – constantly curious and wanting more knowledge.
Perm was near Yekaterinburg, where the family of Tsar Nicholas was executed in 1918.
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| Siberian route across Russia into China |
The town was founded in 1723 by Peter the Great (1672 - 1725), and is named after his wife. The city has two important connections … it served as the mining capital of the Russian Empire (1721 - 1917), as well as a strategic connection between Europe and Asia.
In 1781, Catherine the Great (1729 - 1796), continued the important Siberian Route through Perm. (The route ran from Moscow, via Mongolia, into China, west of Beijing).
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| Diaghilev by Rostislav Doboujinsky (1903 - 2000) - showing his shock of white hair |
So this mercurial man with his overflowing confidence, many mood swings, was ready for a life of distinction … taking creativity to new horizons at the start of the 20th century … particularly his inherent ability to perceive the genius of others.
It was during his University years in St Petersburg that he was able to look around to find his true interests in life - particularly Russian and Western art, as well as his literary knowledge … he came to be respected as one of the most learned men in the group.
He promoted talented youngsters … one of these was the Ballets Russes' star dancer, Vaslav Nijinsky (1889 – 1950) … who became one of his lovers.
Nijinsky by Valentin Serov
(1865 - 1911)
Sadly Nijinsky was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a very young age and for nearly 30 years was in and out of psychiatric hospitals and asylums …
Diaghilev, who lived the high life, lived from pay-check to pay-check, but always ensuring the needs of his dancers and company were met. In his latter years his passion turned to collecting rare books - of which there were many significant ones.
He had developed diabetes … refusing to change his life-style … however one thing he feared was dying in water, and as far as possible avoided travelling by boat.
Isola San Michele, Venice
He loved Venice managing to reach there just before his death in 1929. At the end he was broke, broke … but his debts were settled by friends … including Coco Chanel … however he had reached his beloved Venice.
As you can see my notes - ran to
14 pages of scruffiness!
His tomb is on the nearby island of San Michele – the island has served as the principal cemetery of Venice since 1807.
Diaghilev continues to influence and be remembered both here in the west and in Russia – one hopes that will continue.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
26 comments:
A rather interesting character! "Generous to a fault" might be a good description...
Hari OM
An excellent summary of an expansive character! YAM xx
It is strange that, despite his fear of dying in water, he chose to go to Venice. Interesting life.
@ John - he was very generous, but a hard taskmaster too - it's been interesting learning about him.
@ Yam - thanks ... you're right - an expansive character, to say the least ...
@ Janice - he'd spent time in Venice ... travelling overland from Paris, via Monte Carlo - but obviously the history drew him in ... as you say 'an interesting' thought about him wanting to die in Venice - he made it just ...
Cheers to the three of you - Hilary
Thank you for this potted snapshot of someone who I can see I am going to have to explore further.
I hope your too much going on it packed with good things.
I could never write about such an expansive life in just one blog post and you did it so well. Thank you for always finding interesting people and things to share on your blog.
How impressive that his family created and ran the cultural centre in Perm. No wonder Diaghilev was so ambitious himself!
My Russian family were culturally successful individually in literature or music, but running a cultural centre is much harder work.
@ EC - he's worth while getting an understanding of ... fascinating period of life. So much going on in Russia and Europe ... which leads us to today ... I hope that (this period in history) can settle down. Oh 'my too much going on' - is probably more procrastination amongst end of year slow down.
@ Inger - thanks so much ... I really struggled with this one - making sense of those times, cutting it down to a minimalist overview was challenging. I'm delighted you found it interesting ...
@ Hels - he was very ambitious - yet was prepared to spend time (a great deal of time) understanding about his passions ... so many today could take this on board. I have none of those talents ... but Perm sounds a great place to grow up ... I guess it was 'a family affair' ... and yes so many usually develop their own passions - don't they.
Thanks to the three of you ... lovely to see your comments - cheers Hilary
Hello Hilary. I knew very little about Serge Diaghilev until now. I also didn't know about San Michelle although I must have passed by it when travelling by boat from Venice to Murano. I looked on Google Maps and actually saw an image of his tomb! Interesting post.
Whilst I knew of him, I knew very little about him. I leave wiser than when I arrived. Thank you, Hilary!
Thanks for the summary, it’s a name I know without knowing much about the person behind it. Now I know a bit more!
Genius seems to be connected to madness. Interesting life.
@ Bazza - oh that's good ... that the post has enlightened you about San Michele - I've never been to Venice - a place I've missed out on. Yes - there was an image of his tomb I could have used ... equally I'm glad I've opened the door on Diaghilev for you ...
@ Keith - thanks ... I'm glad I've highlighted a few points for you ...
@ Anabel - that's good ... his era was fascinating ... and so was he - but a man of talent ...
@ Liz - good to see you ... yes - you might be right ...
Cheers and thanks for being here - Hilary
quite the life variety. Ironic to fear water and end up in beloved Venice.
Some folks have the eye for talent. No doubt he unearthed some great talents for all the world to see. Oh the stories! Thanks for this very nice overview.
Always an interesting and informative read Hilary, thank you! I am sadly behind with my blog reading but am making a start here to show you I am still around LOL! Glad to see you are as prolific with your posts as ever. :-) XX
Such a colourful personality and he lived his life to the fullest! Thanks for sharing this interesting biography, Hilary.
@ Joanne - yes he certainly created an interesting life for himself and ultimately for us. He just loved Venice - and could get there overland easily enough. You're right some folk can pick out talent ... he certainly had stories to tell - or created them for others to remember. I'm pleased I've read this book ...
@ Deborah - lovely to see you - I spot you on FB - but I don't 'do it' ... so thanks for coming over. I just keep plodding along writing up about aspects that interest me ... something stimulating for one and all ... I hope! So thanks ...
@ Debbie - he certainly became passionate about various subjects ... and thus opened many doors in the arts for us today - I'm happy you enjoyed the post.
Cheers to the three of you - I'm happy you appreciated the short overview of his life ... Hilary
This is such a fascinating post. So much that I did not know. This post is a great example of why I come back to your blog again and again. I learn so much cool stuff here!
Thank you for this, Hilary! Diaghilev was a name I grew up with, always associated with ballet. It’s interesting to read how caring he was, but also how uncompromising. It’s a wonderful tribute to him that his friends paid his debts.
@ Donna - thank you ... I'm just glad to know that the post gave enough information to give you that enjoyment in its contents ... thank you. I prefer to offer different aspects of life on here ...
@ Val - at times he was most certainly caring and thoughtful of others ... yet could be decisive ... as you say a better word 'uncompromising' - the settlement of his debts confirmed his status in life, as well as on his death.
Lovely to have your comments - thank you both - cheers Hilary
Strange that he chose to end his life in Venice considering his fear of water. An interesting personality.
What a fascinating mini biopic. And imagine having friends in high places was a boon to his popularity. :) xx
What an interesting story and an interesting personality. Would love to read the book about him. The writers last name sounds Dutch and I looked him up and indeed he is. He is an historian on Russian art. I learn so much each time when I come here! What a feast
What a fascinating individual. Thanks for sharing, Hils.
Quite the interesting man.
@ Nila - well he decided that's where he wanted to die - obviously the culture appealed - he had diabetes and only just made it - also the setting is stunning ...
@ Debby - he cultivated people ... and with his learning was able to reach across various genres, and countries - but yes he had both enemies, and friends, in high places ...
@ Marja - you're right - the author is Dutch ... so perhaps you can read the book in Dutch? However, whichever way - I hope you can get to enjoy it ... it's very educative!!
@ Sandra - thanks ...I'm glad you've enjoyed these posts ...
@ Dan - good to see you ... he certainly was an interesting man ...
Cheers to all of you - and thanks for coming by ... Hilary
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