The New York Times on the “Russian Ballet” (1920– 1930s)

Download paper
Mariia D. Sherikh

post-graduate student, Higher School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Saint Petersburg State University, Department of the History of Journalism, Saint Petersburg, Russia; ORCID 0009-00010289-2415

e-mail: mas209@mail.ru

Section: History of Journalism

This article delves into The New York Times’ coverage of the Ballets Russes and its composers from 1920 to 1930. Driven by the enduring cultural significance of Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes, as well as the limited scholarly attention given to this topic, the study aims to identify relevant publications within the newspaper and categorize their genres. Using a comprehensive sampling of The New York Times’ archive for the specified decade, the study analyzes 84 publications. These include reviews, announcements, news articles, opinion pieces, and obituaries. Reviews and announcements emerge as the most prevalent genres. The findings reveal sustained media attention to the Ballets Russes throughout the period, suggesting its consistent cultural relevance. Despite facing various challenges, the newspaper’s overall tone remained predominantly positive. The article not only provides valuable historical and cultural insights but also serves as a foundation for further academic inquiry into the global reception of the Ballets Russes and its broader cultural implications.

Keywords: : Ballets Russes, S. Diaghilev, I. Stravinsky, S. Prokofiev, New York Times
DOI: 10.55959/msu.vestnik.journ.2.2025.8095

References:

Järvinen H. (1916) Failed Impressions: Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in America. Dance Research Journal 42 (2): 77–108.

Macdonald N. (1975) Diaghilev observed by critics in England and the United States 1911–1929. New York: Dance Horizons; London: Dance Books.

Maynard O. (1959) The American Ballet. Philadelphia: Macrae Smith Company.

Shawn T. (1926) The American Ballet. New York: Henry Holt and Company. 

Skheyen Sh. (2019) Sergey Dyagilev. «Russkie sezony» navsegda [Serge Diaghilev. “Russian Seasons” forever]. Moscow: Azbuka-Attikus Publ. (In Russian)


To cite this article: Sherikh M. D. (2025) «N’yu-York Tayms» o «Russkom balete» (1920–1930 gg.) [The New York Times on the “Russian Ballet” (1920– 1930s)]. Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seriya 10. Zhurnalistika 2: 80–95. DOI: 10.55959/msu.vestnik.journ.2.2025.8095