One day, when I was finishing the last pages of The Firebird in St Petersburg [in 1910], I had a fleeting vision… I saw in my imagination a solemn pagan rite: sage elders, seated in a circle, watched a single girl dance herself to death. They were sacrificing her to propitiate the god of spring.
On 29 May 1913 Igor Stravinsky’s vision became reality when The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du printemps) was premiered at the Théâtres des Champs-Élysées in Paris — 100 years ago. And it caused a riot. Literally.
There was something in this ballet and its music which didn’t irritate or bore but caused anger. It was too much.
Before the riot
Even those collaborating on the new piece had their doubts. … [continue reading]
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