2 3 Throwback Thursday and Sol Hurok | Ballet Webb

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Throwback Thursday and Sol Hurok


Throwback Thursday and Sol Hurok

In 1906, an almost destitute Sol Hurok came to the United States from Russia. He worked at whatever odd jobs he could find and soon began organizing concerts for labor organizations. In 1911, he convinced violinist Efrem Zimbalist to play a concert, and before long Sol Hurok was staging performances that featured many accomplished artists, most of them from his native Russia. In 1914, he became an American citizen.

Because of Sol Hurok, Americans began to develop an interest in and appreciation for companies such as the Bolshoi Ballet, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Sadler’s Wells Ballet; and artists like Pavlova, Isadora Duncan and Arthur Rubinstein to name just a few.

For more than fifty years, over 4,000 performers were reputedly featured and/or discovered by Sol Hurok. He was also known for his own showmanship and lavish treatment of his performers. He wrote his autobiography: Imresario in 1946 and it was made into the movie Tonight We Sing in 1953.

Sol Hurok did on March 5, 1974 in New York City.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Dance History Factoid #73:  
“Sol Hurok was an impresario who did much to bring virtuoso performances to America.”

                Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“"If I would be in this business for business, I wouldn't be in this business."
-          Sol Hurok

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