In the early 20th century

Russia was still viewed by many Western Europeans as an uncouf,

even barbaric country. Few thought of Russia as a center of art or culture. Few were still

looked to Russia as a source of new and groundbreaking art. As for the Russians, well, they knew their country produced great art,

but few cared that the rest of the world didn't realize it.

Until one man, Sergei Diagellev,

brought Russian art to the Western world

and became one of the most influential figures in 20th

century art, music, and dance, which is surprising when you consider that he was not himself

an artist, a musician, or a dancer. In fact, he is easily the most important figure in 20th century

art who was not himself any kind of artist.

He was an impresario, a producer, one with an unparalleled knack for identifying great artists

and presenting them to the world. Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

Music Welcome to the history of the 20th century. Episode 44, Charlatan and Charmer

Sergei Pavlovich Diagellev was born in 1872 in the province of Novgorod. His father was a cavalry

colonel and was stationed there at the time. His mother died shortly after his birth, and later in

life Diagolev would tell everyone that it was his big head that killed her. This is just one of many fanciful stories that the flamboyant Diagolev would tell.

The truth is, his mother died shortly after his birth, as too many women did at this time,

in an age when cutting-edge obstetric technology was to wash your hands before assisting in the delivery of a child, and even

that level of technology probably hadn't reached Novgorod yet in 1872. Pavel Diagelev was a member

of the landed nobility and owned estates in the vicinity of the city of Perm in the far east of

European Russia, on the threshold of Siberia.

...