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University of Texas at Austin

Marquis George de Cuevas:

A Preliminary Inventory of His Dance Collection at the Harry Ransom Center

Creator: Cuevas, George de, marquis, 1886-1961
Title: Marquis George de Cuevas Dance Collection
Dates: 1913-1962
Extent: 8 boxes (3.36 linear feet)
Abstract: Marquis George de Cuevas, ballet impresario and choreographer, was born in Santiago, Chile in 1884. In 1927, he married Margaret Strong, granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, and was the founder and director of Ballet Institute (1943) and Ballet International.
Call Number: Performing Arts Collection PA-00162
Language: English, French, and Spanish
Access: Open for research


Administrative Information


Acquisition: Compiled by Theatre Arts staff from the William H. Crain Collection
Processed by: Valerie Burns, 2002; Eric Colleary and Grace Hansen, 2015
Repository:

Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin

Biographical Sketch


Marquis George de Cuevas, ballet impresario and choreographer, was born in Santiago, Chile in 1884. In 1927, he married Margaret Strong, granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, and was the founder and director of Ballet Institute (1943) and Ballet International. De Cuevas took over the company of Nouveau Ballet de Monte Carlo, changed its name to Grand Ballet de Monte Carlo, and brought to Europe such American dancers as Rosella Hightower, Marjorie Tallchief, William Dollar, and others. In 1950, the company became Le Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, and in its final years, International Ballet of the Marquis de Cuevas. On March 30, 1958, he famously challenged ballet choreographer Serge Lifar to a public duel with swords, due to a disagreement over the ballet Suite en Blanc. De Cuevas died in Cannes in 1961.

Scope and Contents


This collection contains materials relating to George de Cuevas and his dance companies, ca. 1944-1962. It is divided into the following series: I. Articles & Periodicals; II. Business Records; III. Clippings; IV. Photographs, and V. Programs.
Included are a number of articles and review clippings, business records including press releases, and handbills, programs, and posters for performances. Especially notable are the photographs, which include publicity shots as well as production photographs that feature images of the entire company.

Related Material


The Dance Collection contains several playbills and posters for Marquis de Cuevas’ Grand Ballet de Monte Carlo.

Container List