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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