Background
Lifar, Sergei was born on April 2, 1905 in Kiev into a wealthy landowning family.
Lifar, Sergei was born on April 2, 1905 in Kiev into a wealthy landowning family.
Studied dancing under Bronislava Nijinska (Vaclav’s sister) at the age of 16. Studied dancing under Bronislava Nijinska (Vaclav’s sister) at the age of 16.
Joined Diaghilev’. Ballet Russe in Monte Carlo, January 1923. Diaghilev was impressed by his exotic looks, youth and fitness rather than by his dancing, and started to promote his career, arranging lessons with the great Cecchetti. Was given solo parts in La Pastorale opposite Tamara Karsavina, Zephire et Flore, La Chatte, etc.
Danced the leading parts in Balanchine’s Apollo, 1928, and The Prodigal Son, 1929. Also starred in L. Massine’s Le Pas d’Acier and Ode. Encouraged by Diaghilev, developed an interest in choreography.
After Diaghilev’s death in 1929, became a leading dancer, director and choreographer at the Paris Opera Theatre. Tried to turn the whole ballet into a one-man show, and made many enemies. During the German occupation of Paris was director of L’Opera de Paris and, according to himself, the ‘king of the artistic world’.
Received 3 times by Hitler in Berlin. Met with senior Nazis in Paris. After the Liberation, was put on trial.
Found not guilty, but was forced to leave the theatre. Appeared in Monte Carlo’s Nouveaux Ballets 3 years later. Returned to the Paris Opera as a choreographer in 1958, dancing occasionally.
Regarded himself as the heir to Diaghilev’s heritage. Took Nijinskii’s body from England to France for reburial. Every year in August, he used to invite international high-society figures to Venice to mark the anniversary of Diaghilev’s death.
Arranged a place for himself next to the great Vestris in the exclusive Pere Lachaise cemetery.