A Ballets Russes Performance

Описание

A 'Le Coq d'or', originally staged by Mikhail Fokine in 1914, was revised by the choreographer in 1937 as a single act ballet for Colonel W de Basil's Covent Garden Russian Ballet.

It was presented in Australia by the company on its 1938 tour, with the title role being danced by Tatiana Riabouchinska and Irina Baronova.

It was again performed on the 1939-1940 tour by the company, now named the Original Ballet Russe.

Anna Volkova, who had initially understudied the role, also took the role of the Golden Cockerel and it is her performance that is shown in this footage by Dr Joseph Ringland Anderson who filmed the Ballets Russes in this country between 1936-1940 in both black and white and colour.

Moscow-born, Volkova was initially trained by Olga Preobrajenska and then later by Lubov Egorova.

In 1933, she joined Colonel de Basil’s company, and toured Australia in both 1938 and 1940.

In 1945, she married Australian sheep farmer, Jim Barnes, and has since lived in New South Wales.

In this film segment, Anna Volkova is seen performing part of a solo of the Golden Cockerel. The sound track has been added - the original film is silent.

Before this footage, I've included the ballerina talking about the experience of being part of a Ballets Russes company.

Enjoy!