Poster advertising the programme at the Royal Opera Covent Garden for the evening of Saturday 27 July 1912, one of the 'last performances' featuring the Russian Ballet 'organised by M. Serge de Diaghilew' performing Thamar, Narcisse, and Le Pavillon d'Armide. Letterpress, printed in black and green. Printed by Miles, Wardour Street, 1912

Letterpress poster printed in black and green by Miles, Wardour Street, headed ROYAL OPERA COVENT GARDEN LAST PERFORMANCES SATURDAY JULY 27 at 8.30 featuring the details of the performers, creators and production staff of the three pieces performed that evening by the Russian Ballet starting with the 'Choreographic Drama' Thamar, followed by the 'Mythological Poem' Narcisse, and the 'Pantomime-Ballet' Le Pavillon d'Armide.

Acquired with the support of the Friends of the V&A

NB The term "negro"/"negress" was used historically to describe people of black African heritage but, since the 1960s, has fallen from usage and, increasingly, is considered offensive. The term is repeated here in its original historical context.

The poster is printed at the top with the name of the Proprietors - The Grand Opera Syndicate, Limited, and the names of the General Manager of the Royal Opera House Mr. Neil Forsyth, and the Managing Director Mr. Percy Pitt.

Thamar is credited as a choreographic drama in one act by M. L. Bakst, music by M. Balakirev, scenes and dances by M. Michel Fokine, scenery and costumes designed by M. L. Bakst, scenery executed by M. Charbey and Soudejkine, costumes executed by Mlle. Muelle. The cast is listed as Thamar, Reine de Georgie - Mme Tamara Karsavina; Le Prince - M. Adolf Bolm; Amies de Thamar - Mmes Nijinska, Piltz, Tchernisheva, Wasilewska, Konietska, Kopytsinska, Klementovitch, Baranovitch I, Baranovitch II, Maicherska, Staszko, Tchernisheva; the Zerghins - Mme Kremnev, Bourman, Semenov, Kotchetovsky, Froman, Federov, Romanov, Rachmanov, Gavrilov, Zoboiko, Sergueiev, Kobelev; Servantes - Mmes. Kowalewska, Dobroloubova, Guliuk, Koultchytzka, Hohlova, Ezerska, Julitzka, Dombrovska, and the Serviteurs de Thamar - Mm. Warzinski, Zailik, Statkevitch, Kegler, Kostecki, Goudin, Oumansky, and Zielinski.

Narcisse is credited as a 'Mythological Poem in One Act' by M. L. Bakst; music by M. Tcherepnin; scenes and dances arranged by M. Fokine, and scenery and costumes by M. Bakst. The cast is credited as Echo - Mme. Tamar Karsavina; Narcisse - M. Nijinsky; Une Bacchante - Mme. Nijinska; Une Jeune Béotienne - Mme. Piltz; Nymphes - Mmes. Maicherska and Tcherepanova; Béotiennes - Mmes. Tchernicheva, Baranovitch I, Biber, Baranovitch II, Klementovitch, Guliuk, Kopatchinska, Kowalewska, Ezerska, Staszko, Wasilewska, Konietska; Béotiens - Mm. Federov, Semenov, Froman, Sergueiev, Kremnev, Kotchetovsky, Zailich, Warzynski, Rachmanov, Romanov, Kobelev, Bourman; Etres Sylvains - Mm. Gavrilov, Oumansky, Kostecki, Goudin, Statkevitch, Zoboiko, Zielinski, Kowalski.

Le Pavillon d'Armide is credited as a 'Pantomime-Ballet' by M. Alexandre Benois with music by M. Nicholas Tcherepnin, dances and scenes by Michel Fokine, scenes and costumes by M. Alexandre Benois, and scenery by M. O. Allegri. The cast is listed as Armide - Mme. Karsarvina; L'Esclave d'Armide - M. Nijinsky; Le Vicomte de Beaugency - Adolf Bolm; Le Marquis - Cecchetti; Confidantes d'Armide - Mmes. Piltz, Nijinska, Tchernisheva, Froman; Un maitre des ceremonies - M. Froman; Almees - Mmes. Tcherepanova, Guliuk, Konietska, Baranovitch II, Kopytinska, Staszko, Klementovitch, Maicherska; Les Chevaliers captifs - Mm. Semenov, Sergueiev, V. Romanov, Fedorov; Les dames d'honneur - Mmes. Zaehtchilina, Dobroulobova, Razoumovitch, Bonietska, Jezierska, Koultchytzka, Julitzki, Hohlova, Kowalewska, Dombrovska, Houbert, Astafieva; Signeurs - Mm. Zailich, Warzynski, Zielinski, Ivanowsky, Woronzov; Premier Buffoon - M. Kremniev; Buffoons - Mm. Kochetovsky, Kobelev, Bourman, Gavrilov, Zoboiko, Goudin; Harpistes, Pages, Negres, Saturne, Armour, Domestiques, Postillon, etc.

The conductors are listed as M. Tcherepnin and Mr. Thomas Beecham; the Stage Director as M. O. Allegri and the Principal Stage Manager M. S. Grigoriev.

The prices of the Private Boxes, Orchestra Stalls, Balcony Stalls, Amphitheatre Stalls and Amphitheatre are given at the bottom of the poster, with a note that applications for tickets to be made at the box office from 10 to 10; the telephone numbers 463 and 464 Gerrard; that doors open half an hour before the performance commences. The bottom of the poster has been trimmed, removing the name of the printer Miles of Wardour Street.

S.1709-2014