Sergey P. Diaghilev (1872-1929) was a Russian theatrical and artistic personality, one of the founders of the World of Art group, the arranger of the Russian Seasons in Paris and the Diaghilev Russian Ballet company, an entrepreneur. He played one of the decisive roles in the promotion of Russian art in Europe and worldwide at the turn of the 20th century, and “discovered” many talented ballet dancers, composers and stage designers.
The first step in Diaghilev's career was the arrangement of a series of exhibitions of current European and Russian artists, which were held with great success. Upon joining the Imperial Theaters, he was appointed the Editor of the Yearbook of the Imperial Theaters and reformed the outlet into a high-quality art magazine with several supplements, high-grade illustrations and literary articles.
With a support of influential patrons, he held the first Historical Russian Concert in Paris, presenting Russian opera to the French public in 1906, and ballet in 1909. The success of the Russian ballet performances was so spectacular that it favored a vogue wave "of everything Russian" that swept Europe in the early 20th century. The private theatrical concern toured annually and gradually expanded its geography from Paris to other European cities. After the 1917 Revolution, the company ceased contacts with Russia and continued to work under the name of Diaghilev until his death in 1929.
The postage stamp features a painting by G. Shishkin with a portrait of S. Diaghilev, Russian Seasons theater posters, and the World of Art magazine with a scene from a ballet performance as a backdrop.
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