Serge Lifar and his ballet ’Icare’ (1935)

Serge Lifar choreographed ’Icare’ in 1935 and danced the principal role at the premier with the Paris Opera Ballet at Le Palais Garnier on the 9th of July 1935. In this black and white footage, we see the ex-Ballets Russes principal dancer prepare Attilio Labis for the title role in ’Icare’. Lifar re-staged his ballet for the Original Ballets Russes for their 1939-1940 tour of Australia. The sets for this revival were by Australian artist Sydney Nolan. A percussive score was created and orchestrated for the ballet by Antal Dorati, based on rhythms devised by the choreographer. Lifar believed that the choreography could come first and the music follow: ’The choreographer should create the scheme of dancing and the musician should then be asked to provide a score to fit that scheme’ (Manifeste du choregraphe’)) Lifar only danced at the premier of ’Icare’ on this tour, with Roman Jasinsky taking the title role for the rest of the performances. In the next section of colour footage, we see Roman Jasinsky performing a section of the ballet with the Original Ballets Russes on that 1939-1940 Australian tour. As I’ve said before, whatever one’s opinion of Serge Lifar on any level, the footage is an historic record of a principal dancer from the Serge de Diaghilev era of the Ballets Russes. Enjoy!