Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-24
AElIISEtlElQI
The Ballet Russo.


1t was a glimpse of another world,
distant and apart from our own, that
the stage of the New National Theater
offered last night II was the example
of the spirit of American conquest.
spirit animated by mans primal eager
ness to grasp and enjoy the treasures
of stranger civilizations. Yet spirit
which disdainS that strife and Spolia-
ton which would destroy the very
things which have awakened covetouS
admiration.
Reports of the wonders of the Dia-
jhileff Ballet Russo have for some
years invited interest. They were not
the ordinary travellers tales. but eX-
pressions of the enthusiasm of the
connoisseur. the same enthusiasm
which makes America. while scant IN
musical pretension-or, at all events.
in appreciation of musical genius,-the
home of grand opera in it's most Law
lsh splendor. 1T was again the story
of Mahomet and the mountain. Owing
to obvious disbursements confront
ing the tourist, America could not ("
to the DiaGhleff ballet. so the pra-
ghsileh ballet has come to America.
1t is to Otto Kahn and his associates
IN the directorate of the Metropolitan
Opera Company that the presentation
of these foreign art creations is due.
EvaneScent as they must he. their m
fluenCe viii be manifest on the stage
and in the studio for many year to
noteworthy relationship in its purposes
to the sentiment which inspired the
tate J. Fierpont Morgan with an am
hitiOn to give this country a share in
the art treasures of the world
AS literary influence the presenta-
ton may be slight. 1t employs every
means available to human capa city for
the expression of idea, except the
spoken word. The idea itself in each
of the creations is as inconspicuous as
u II .
sential the germ of thought is, the
glory of blossomlng is a II that is cared
for tn" fruits are unConsidered. In
the pursuit of beauty for its own sd Ike
there IS neither moral nor ethical in
tention. The inherent moods and pas
sions Of humanity are contemplated
with oriental ca lmnesS g akin to the
beauty Of sunshine on the sea or the
magnificence Of the tornado in the
desert Scenes and incidents unfold
themselves with little regard to dra
matte artifice in narration; all is
subordinate to physical expression.
sympathy The expression is sensual.
ETnotionalIty the spectator must supply
from within his own Imagination.
The presentations represent special
izatIon in the last degree. Each artist
is expected to do some one thing sur
passing well. A trick of gesture or
pose may represent the study and toll
of a lifetime. If the trick is brought
20 perfection, slight though it may be,
II will find a function. If not. the law
of the survival of the fitteSt asserts it.
self
The first revelation last night was
the most pretentious and in some
spects the most beautiful of the Sc
ries. Cleopatra. the ballet by Fokine,
music by Arinsky; scenery and cos
tunes by Bakst. marvellous picture
of intense and ever-varying beauty
built upon theme of tragic power. 1t
brought to attention Is the central fig
ures Flora Ravelles and Adolph BONN.
The demonstration of the dramatic re-
sources of pantomime were brilliantly
eXemplihed.
The demonstra ton turned to poetic
and delicate mood in lie Spectre de la
Rose. i'll which dreaming awakens to
animation the flower which a girl is
cherishing as memento of sentiment.
1t was done by Lydia Lopokova and
Alexandra Gavrilof to the familiar
strains of the Weber Invitation to the
Dance" marvelously rendered by the
great orchestra whose work is so con-
spicuous an essential to every moment
of the evening.
The grotesque claimed its turn when
Soleil de Mutt was given by Leonide
Massine, NJ. Iwerew and a conCourSe
of jewellers in a frenzy of the bizarre.
In conclusion the stage was set with
souber yet highly decorative hangingS
which afforded contrast TO the viva
l.
Columbine and Harlequin frolicked
through realms of fancy to the strains
of Robert Schumann's music. The dis
plays had progressed from tragedy
sentiment and grotesquerie to
a denouement of Irresistible comedy
The program afforded a reminder of the
seemingly limitless resources of the
ganization.
Complete and harmonious as the per
Torrance is, the orchestral interpreta-
tons are so magnificent in scope and so
exquisite in detail to claim sim
ccTest appreciation for the musical pro-
gram alone. New suggestions of musical
treatment are constantly carried out
with the most skillful security. and ia
by the artistry with which they are
expressed
The audience was one such s only
the apital Of the country could as
sernble. The impression Of the far-away
was conveyed even in the auditorium,
where those who later in the evening
were TO participate In the Russian ball
wore the picturesque headdresses
which were to give costume touch TO
the social occa sion.
The dimensions of the theateT de-
signed for the usual forms of drama
or spectacle must he frankly less than
the ideal requirements of enormous
perspective for a display like that
given by the Dia ghileff organization.
Vet the revelations they proceed in
turn most satisfying. II is one Of
the productions which give the holder
of seat coupons for places well in the
rear of the auditorium none the worst
of il. j.