February 21
Born Today:
Vasili Vainonen
Choreographer Vasili Vainonen (1901-1964) worked for the Kirov Ballet (now known as the Maryinski Ballet) from 1930-1938. He is best known for his 1934 version of The Nutcracker, parts of which have been used by Russian-born choreographers Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-) and Yuri Grigorovich (1927-). Vainonen’s other famous work, Flames of Paris (1932), explored the French Revolution. He continued remaking famous ballets from the 1930s to the 1960s.
-------
Ballet Premiere: Carmen in 1949 (Roland Petit version)