Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo was formed in the 1930s following the death of Sergei Diaghilev. Its artistic director René Blum and director Wassily de Basil replaced Diaghilev, who had founded the company in 1928. The company later split in 1936.
Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo was known for their famous Baby Ballerinas. The company first performed in 1932 and was renowned for featuring three young ballerinas. The company has performed under a few different names since its beginning. The Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo’s original name was Ballets Russes.
The Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo toured extensively. In 1938, it performed in Monte Carlo and London. It then went on a brief tour of Canada and South America. On October 12, 1937, the company performed at the Metropolitan Opera. It performed at the Met again that year.
Jean-Christophe Maillot, the company’s choreographer, created more than 40 ballets for the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. Some of his ballets were subsequently incorporated into the repertoire of large international companies. The Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s ballets are highly sought after around the world.
After George Balanchine left the Ballet Russe in 1946 to form his own company, the company was without a resident choreographer. Other choreographers stepped in to fill the gap. They included Serge Lifar, Anton Dolin, Frederic Ashton, David Lichine, and Ruth Page.