Uploaded January 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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Ballets Russes dancer and founder of Ballet Rambert, Marie Rambert talks about Serge de Diaghilev – about the literary magazine he founded ‘Mir iskusstva’ ('World of Art’), the exhibition of Russian art he presented at the Petit Palais in Paris in 1906 and the great artists he commissioned for the sets and costumes of new productions for his company.

She also speaks about his hands-on perfectionist approach to every aspect of new works, citing an example of the impresario working through the night to get the lighting just.

What’s totally magical to me about this footage is hearing someone speak about Serge de Diaghilev, someone who had had direct contact with the legendary founder and guiding light of the Ballets Russes. Rambert doesn’t say anything we don’t all know but it’s great to hear it first hand.

My apologies that the poor sound quality of the footage. It has a nasty annoying echo.

Enjoy!