Diaghilev was a prime mover in the strand of modernism in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, encouraging the extraordinary explosion of energy from artists such as Stravinsky, Debussy, Picasso, Fokine, Cocteau, Satie and Nijinsky. How did Diaghilev exercise his enormous influence? By what combination of personal authority and inspiration was he able to fulfil his ambitious plans? And what is the aim of leadership in the arts today, when there are no more Diaghilevs? Attempting to answer such questions, this book has been written with the aid of interviews with many of the leading figures in the Diaghilev circle. The author has been Director of the Edinburgh Festival, and also of Radio 3 and the BBC Proms.