Premiere of rite of spring

The premiere of Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is perhaps the most famous scandal in the history of the performing arts. It took place on the evening of 29 May 1913, at the brand-new Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, in front of a glittering audience.

1. What happened at the premiere of The Rite of Spring?
2. Did The Rite of Spring cause a riot?
3. What made The Rite of Spring so controversial?
4. Why is The Rite of Spring so important?

What happened at the premiere of The Rite of Spring?

Backstage at the premiere, Nijinsky shouted at the dancers while Diaghilev tried to suppress a possible riot by flashing the house lights. Stravinsky himself fumed at the audience's response to his music. If nothing else, the ballet's premiere managed to instill in the audience the true spirit of the music.

Did The Rite of Spring cause a riot?

The ballet was first performed by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes at the Theatre du Champs-Élysées in Paris on 29 May 1913 and famously caused a riot. The audience were so outraged by Stravinsky's avant-garde score, and Nijinsky's choreography, that many people thought it seemed like the work of a madman.

What made The Rite of Spring so controversial?

At the premiere of the ballet in 1913, a riot began amongst members of the audience. Historians believe that it was the choreography created by dancer Vaclav Nijinsky that provoked the majority of controversy rather than Stravinsky's score. You can watch a clip from the ballet below.

Why is The Rite of Spring so important?

The Rite of Spring was a revolutionary work for a revolutionary time. Its first performance in Paris, exactly 100 years ago on Wednesday, was a key moment in cultural history – a tumultuous scandal. ... From start to finish The Rite of Spring exalts in a new and explosive sense of musical movement.