Igor Stravinsky in Biarritz
The series about historical places of opera art & culture. Get to know exciting excursion and travel ideas for opera lovers. This time: Igor Stravinsky in Biarritz.
All Destinations on google maps with links to detailed Blogposts:
Igor Stravinsky in Biarritz
In 1921 Stravinsky moved with his family to Biarritz with the financial support of his patrons (including Coco Chanel and Eugenia Errazuriz), . Stravinsky’s financial dependence was due to the Russian Revolution, due to which Stravinsky was no longer able to access the royalties of his ballets in Russia (Petrushka, Sacré du Printemps, Firebird).
The choice of residence was made because of the mild climate, the healthy air and its positive influence on his wife’s health, and because there was already a large colony of Russians in this fashionable place (see below).
Stravinsky had entered into a contract with the Pleyel piano manufacturing company in Paris during this time. They had provided him with an office there, and Paris became his second home, where he maintained his relationship with mistress Vera de Bosset, who (with his wife’s knowledge) also accompanied him on his travels.
Finally, in 1924, “tired of the winter storms”, the Stravinskis left Biarritz for Nice.
TO THE COMPLETE BIOGRAPHY OF STRAVINSKY
Destination Stravinsky’s residence on the Rue de la Frégate
The Stravinsky family lived in this villa and the Russian composed important works here.
Stravinsky’s villa:
Destination Orthodox Church
In the second half of the 19th century, a Russian colony began to form in Biarritz. Rich aristocrats built villas and spent there mainly the “Russian season” between September and November. In 1892 the magnificent Orthodox church was opened. When the revolution broke out in 1917, many Russians found themselves in Biarritz, who were known as “White Russians”.
Orthodox church in Biarritz:
https://www.eglise-orthodoxe-biarritz.com/
Destination Villa Belza
The name of the villa comes from Basque “belza” which means “black”, it was the second name of the wife of the builder. In the 1920s it became the social center of the Russians. In 1923 Stravinsky’s brother-in-law, Gregori Beliankin, converted the villa into a Russian restaurant and set up a cabaret where the Russians could have fun with Cossack choirs and theme nights just like at home.
Villa Belza:
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