Lifar

American  

[lyi-fahr] / lyɪˈfɑr /

noun

1. Serge 1905–86, Russian ballet dancer and choreographer, in Paris after 1923.

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Lifar British  

/ ljiˈfar /

noun

1. Serge (sɛrʒ). 1905–86, Russian ballet dancer and choreographer: ballet master at the Paris Opera Ballet (1932–58). His ballets include Prométhée (1929), Icare (1935), and Phèdre (1950)

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Example Sentences

It reminds me of the Parisian ballets of Serge Lifar, where dancers are forever preening themselves and proclaiming “Moi!” without really showing us why they dance.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2016

In the 1990s, Devi traveled to Moscow to give a talk, accompanied by David and Iana Lifar, the Argentine couple who were her constant companions during the last years of her life.

From Time • Jun. 10, 2015

My favorite dance is a delicious parody of French postwar avant-garde ballet—a Serge Lifar sort of business, with flexed feet and gold lamé spaceman costumes—that is performed at a swanky party that Jerry attends.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 13, 2015

He later performed with companies led by the Marquis de Cuevas, Serge Lifar and Alicia Alonso before joining City Ballet.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2012

Lifar had planned to have his helicopters dance to The Beautiful Blue Danube and a Berlioz march; somebody had forgotten to switch on the loudspeakers.

From Time Magazine Archive