A Review of Sjeng Scheiken's Diaghilev: A Life

Diaghilev: a Life is a biography written by Sjeng Scheijen that depicts the life and career of the Russian impresario Serge Diaghilev. The text details Diaghilev’s childhood and upbringing before delving into the dramatic and often turbulent life that he led. In addition to outlining the events of Diaghilev’s life, Scheijen provides thoughtful, though generalized, interpretations of the visual, musical and dramatic arts that Serge Diaghilev pioneered, encouraged or produced. Scheijen incorporates memoirs, diaries and letters written by Diaghilev and other prominent figures in Diaghilev’s life that give insight to the mind of the artistic curator. These historical documents expose the seemingly inescapable characteristics that would shape Diaghilev's personal relationships, as well as his presentation of Russian culture to the western world. Such primary examples also illuminate the critical reception that Diaghilev and his projects faced. Diaghilev himself was not one to distinguish between his personal and professional life, and accordingly this created a very unique atmosphere for those who worked with, criticised and loved him. Adding to the structural clarity and readability of the text, the book is divided into 28 manageable chapters, providing useful accessibility to both the academic and recreational reader. The last 107 pages of the book contain end notes organized by chapter, a thorough and varied bibliography including many Russian texts, illustration credits, and a helpful alphabetical index.