Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Frederic Franklin. June 28, 2000 [sound recording].

Author

Franklin, Frederic, 1914-2013.

Publication

2000.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Moseley, Monica.
• Aloff, Mindy, 1947-
• Reynolds, Nancy, 1938-
• George Balanchine Foundation.

Description

2 sound cassettes (ca. 173 min.) +

Summary

• Cassette 27, side A (ca. 38 min.). The recording includes Frederic Franklin's comments made in reference to selections from the correspondence files of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Franklin speaks about his administrative and teaching duties when on tour with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, including casting; Alexandra Danilova's dislike of the Cecchetti method; Franklin's studying with Margaret Craske in London; rehearsing the repertory before beginning a tour; the gradual Americanization of the company due to the exit of many Russian dancers in 1941-1943 to work with George Balanchine; the hiring policy of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo regarding principal dancers; the monopolization of the main roles by Danilova, Mia Slavenska, Alicia Markova, and Tamara Toumanova; the rivalry between Markova and Toumanova with respect to the role of Giselle; the circumstances of Giselle's entering the repertory; the company and AGMA [American Guild of Musical Artists]. [Ends abruptly.]
• Cassette 27, side B (ca. 38 min.). Franklin continues to speak about the unionization of the company, including Sergei Denham's dismay at having to conform to union rules; the effect of union rules on the dancers' hiring and working conditions; the letter Danilova wrote on Franklin's behalf to Julius Fleischmann [a patron of the company]; relates an anecdote about Danilova's inadvertently injuring Franklin during a performance of Swan lake; an anecdote about Ninette de Vallois and Sir David Webster; speaks about fan groups in the U.S. and in England; life on tour in the U.S. in the late 1930s, including typical itineraries and audiences; the effect of union rules on touring conditions; begins to speak about Raven Wilkinson and the racism she encountered when on tour in the U.S. [Ends abruptly.]
• Cassette 28 side A (ca. 38 min.). Recording begins after approximately four mins. Franklin continues to speak about the racism Wilkinson encountered on tour; his first encounter with anorexia in a dancer; differences in the technical requirements of ballet dancers at that time compared to the present; Denham's rules about the dancers' offstage appearance; performing in Denver and in Tulsa; more on the effect of the union on the company; Markova's contract with Lucia Chase as a precedent for other dancers; the company and income taxes. [Ends abruptly.]
• Cassette 28, side B (ca. 29 min.). Franklin continues to speak about the financial aspects of the company, including Denham's failure to reinvest the company's earnings; Fleischmann, as a person and his relationship with the company; Denham's influence on artistic matters as a source of tension with Leonide Massine; relates anecdotes about experiences on tour. [Ends abruptly.]

Series Statement

Frederic Franklin Oral History Project

Alternative Title

Dance Oral History Project.

Subjects

• Ballet companies > Management
• Denham, Sergei, 1896-1970
• Franklin, Frederic, 1914-2013
• Ballet dancers > Labor unions
• Fleischmann, Julius, 1900-
• Dance > Economic aspects
• Danilova, Alexandra, 1907-1997
• Dance company tours
• Audiotapes > Franklin, F
• Markova, Alicia, Dame, 1910-2004
• Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
• American Guild of Musical Artists

Note

• Interview with Frederic Franklin conducted by Mindy Aloff, Monica Moseley, and Nancy Reynolds at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City on June 28, 2000. The interview was recorded for the Frederic Franklin Oral History Project; the Project is a collaboration between the George Balanchine Foundation and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
• For transcript see: *MGZMT 3-2253 no. 27-28.
• The transcripts were prepared by the George Balanchine Foundation. The transcripts are edited versions of the recordings and may include material such as follow-up interviews, in person and by telephone, and explanatory notes, which are not included in the recording.
• The recording is marred by occasional extraneous noise.

Access (note)

• Transcripts may not be photographed or reproduced without permission.

Call Number

*MGZTC 3-2253 nos. 27-28

OCLC

NYPY05-R5

Author

Franklin, Frederic, 1914-2013. Interviewee

Title

Interview with Frederic Franklin. June 28, 2000 [sound recording].

Imprint

2000.

Series

Frederic Franklin Oral History Project

Local Note

Archive original: *MGZTCO 3-2253 nos. 27-28

Dubbing master: *MGZTD 4-2253 nos. 27-28

Restricted Access

Transcripts may not be photographed or reproduced without permission.

Connect to:

Request Access to Special Collections (Dance Division) material

Local Subject

Dance company tours.

Audiotapes -- Franklin, F.

Added Author

Moseley, Monica. Interviewer

Aloff, Mindy, 1947- Interviewer

Reynolds, Nancy, 1938- Interviewer

George Balanchine Foundation.

Research Call Number

*MGZTC 3-2253 nos. 27-28 sound cassettes

*MGZMT 3-2253 no. 27-28 transcript