Throwback Thursday and Adolph Bolm
Adolph Rudolphovich Bolm was accepted into the Imperial
Ballet School (The Vaganova Academy), but after his first year he was told not
to return. But return he did, and the
dance world is fortunate he did. From then on he worked hard and graduated. One
of his classmates was Anna Pavlova, and he was responsible for organizing her
first tour outside Russia.
From 1909-1917 he was one of the leading male dancers in
Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe, and was particularly known for his character roles. While
on tour in Belgium, Adolph Bolm met a lady named Beatrice, and they soon
married. They moved to the United States where they lived out their lives.
Their son, Olaf, was born on July 4, 1920 in Chicago.
Adolph Bolm was a man of many talents. He was a dancer, choreographer, and teacher
to many famous names such as Cyd Charisse, Ruth Page, Maria Tallchief and many
others. As a choreographer he was prolific,
creating works such as Le Coq d'Or, Danse Macabre, and a ballet based on a
popular comic strip of the day: Krazy Kat.
In the 1940s, he was one of the first choreographers hired for the fledgling American
Ballet Theatre.
Despite sharing the stage with many legends of classical
ballet including Nijinsky, Balanchine and Massine, Adolph Bolm never achieved
the same status or recognition. But his influence was nevertheless far reaching. He was a catalyst for the continued preservation and development
of ballet, and for the training and inspiration of many dancers who had the
privilege of working with him.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #59:
“Adolph Bolm was a
talented dancer and choreographer who influenced the preservation and
development of ballet.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“Leave a legacy every hour every day in some way with
something or someone.”
― Robert J Braathe
― Robert J Braathe
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