Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev (1872–1929) had irrepressible energy and numerous talents: he wrote articles, published a magazine, had an excellent knowledge of painting and selected paintings for exhibitions, collected old books and manuscripts and became the first world-class Russian impresario. Thanks to him, Europe became acquainted with Russian artistic and theatrical art. The Russian opera and ballet seasons are inextricably linked with his name. Diaghilev's organizational abilities were truly limitless: his troupe performed in the most prestigious theater halls, and the most famous musicians and artists worked on the performances. He discovered the genius of Stravinsky and Prokofiev, Nijinsky and Lifar. He was introduced to royalty and admired the art of traveling dancers. Diaghilev spent half his life abroad, constantly traveling with the troupe and close people to European capitals, and annually came to Venice, which he adored, where he died, unable to cope with the longing for the Russia he had left behind. Sergei Pavlovich was known as a gallant “charmer”, who was patronized by patrons of the arts, was friends with Alexandre Benois, Coco Chanel and Pablo Picasso, and at work he was a “dictator”, subordinating the staff of the Russian Ballet to his will, redrawing the libretto, overseeing the progress of rehearsals and installation of scenery - in a word, Maestro.