Serge Lifar ballet performance program clipping from "Les Créatures de Prométhée"

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Serge Lifar ballet performance program clipping from "Les Créatures de Prométhée," C0489, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 item
Creator:
Opéra de Paris. Ballet
Abstract:
Clipping from a ballet performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's "Les Créatures de Prométhée" or in "The Creatures of Prometheus" from December 20, 1929. The top of the clipping is signed by Lifar. The back of the clipping is signed but is illegible.
Language:
French
Preferred citation:

Serge Lifar ballet performance program clipping from "Les Créatures de Prométhée," C0489, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Clipping from a performance program of Ludwig van Beethoven's "Les Créatures de Prométhée" or "The Creatures of Prometheus" from December 20, 1929, choreographed by Serge Lifar and performed at the Paris Opéra Ballet. The clipping features a photo of Lifar in costume on the front and text in French on the back, which lists the name of the performance, and the dancers who performed it, including Lifar, Suzanne Lorcia, Serge Peretti, Yvette Chauviré, and others. It also includes information on the music and conductor. The front top portion of the clipping is signed by Lifar. The back top portion is also signed but is illegible.

Biographical / historical:

Serge Lifar was a Ukranian-French ballet dancer and choreographer, who is considered one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. Born in 1905 in Ukraine. Lifar's dance career started in 1923 in France with the original Ballets Russes. Eventually Lifar made his way to the Paris Opéra Ballet as lead dancer and ballet master, and was responsible for instituting ballet performances independent of operas. During this time he also created and choreographed new ballets, including "Les Créatures de Prométhée" and "Icare."

During World War II Lifar was accused of and put on trial for being a Nazi collaborator. This resulted in him losing his position at the Paris Opéra Ballet, with George Balanchine serving as his replacement. Though Lifar did eventually return, his position with Paris Opéra Ballet continued to strain over the years and he was eventually forced to permanently resign in 1958. Lifar died in 1986 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by Steve Gerber from Schubertiade Music on January 26, 2010.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in August 2021. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in August 2021. This item was formerly part of the Performing Arts Manuscript Materials collection, C0215.

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 72, C 3, S 5
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Ballet
Dance
Names:
Lifar, Serge, 1905-1986