Ballets Russes - Festival Of Narcissus (1920-1929)

NEW Canister Notes, February 2011 Discovery: Jane Pritchard, curator of the Ballets Russes (Ballet Russe) exhibition at the V&A, and Susan Eastwood, a member of the London Ballet Circle, have confirmed that this short clip is rare footage of the Ballets Russes. Specifically, the June 1928 festival ’Fetes de Narcisses’ in Montreux, Switzerland. The clip shows the dancer Serge Lifar, playing the lead role in a female wig. The performance is of Les Sylphides, one of the most popular pieces in the Ballets Russes repertory. Original Canister Note: Festival of Narcissus. Location of events unknown. Scenic opening shot; looking over treetops; town beyond below in valley and mountains in distance; pan down trees to stage in park; w/ ivy-covered backing. Ballet dancers perform on stage. One female dancer (representing Narcissus?) w/ chorus of female dancers; ballerinas who pose while the male soloist dances. Shot of audience in steeply tiered seating. Then; shot looking down at procession w/ elaborate flo