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

The film includes rare performance footage of this Paris Opera Ballet étoile in works by Gene Kelly, Serge Lifar and Maurice Béjart.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2010

Last summer in London, Ballet Dancer Serge Lifar of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was severely criticized for taking curtain calls while the audience called for the ballerina.

From Time Magazine Archive