SERGE DIAGHILEV

Definitive biography of the Svengali of Russian Ballet, the man who sold Russian art to the world and the ballet to the public. Of his early interests in art, of the influence of the magazine. The World of Art, in Russia and abroad, of the art shows it and Diaghilev sponsored. Then of the ballet which brought to fame not only dancers, but designers, musicians and choreographers. Filled with anecdotal material, incidents, historical background, personalities, a rounded picture of Russia's art renaissance, and a portrait of an almost fabulous man, whose slave-driving was counter-acted by his enveloping charm, whose career was studded with quarrels, scandals, explosions and emotional upsets. Definitely of special interest in the art and ballet field, and the Theater Street audience.