Themes of the Ballets Russes
The Ballets Russes were
considered revolutionary, barbaric, Oriental, exotic, controversial, and luxurious
all combined into one. As previously mentioned, they were a serious of unique ballets reflecting Russian
culture while at the same time expressing surreal aspects and introducing
exoticism and Oriental themes. Some of the themes of the Ballets Russes were
otherworldly, lush, emotionally frenzied, antimodern, and
anti-individualistic—the corps de ballet had just a significant role as the
principals to “express collectivist intent” (Marks 184).
In the Oriental and Middle Eastern ballets, such as Cleopatra, Scheherazade, and Afternoon of a Faun, many shocking, somewhat disturbing eroticism themes were used to shock the public and draw an audience with their controversy. A clip from Scheherazade is shown below.
In the Oriental and Middle Eastern ballets, such as Cleopatra, Scheherazade, and Afternoon of a Faun, many shocking, somewhat disturbing eroticism themes were used to shock the public and draw an audience with their controversy. A clip from Scheherazade is shown below.
The Ballets with
Russian settings, like Firebird,
Petrushka, and The Golden Cokerel, included urban carnival and folk themes
to expose the Russian culture.