Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring to be performed at PRISMA
A very Powell River scandal MIKE ROBINSON | PRISMA Treasurer
O
n May 29, 1913, the Paris premiere of The Rite of Spring took place at the Theatre of the Champs Elysees. The Russian ballet’s choreographer was Vaslav Nijinsky and the symphony’s composer, Igor Stravinsky. Together that night, almost exactly 105 years ago, they unleashed a mad torrent of modernity on the members of Parisienne high society. Russian intellectual Lydia Sokolova was in Paris for the opening, and she was interviewed in 1965 about the event. “The audience didn’t even let the overture begin. As soon as it was known that the conductor was there, the uproar began.” “There was an existing tremor in the air against Nijinsky before any curtain went up!” said Stephen Walsh, a noted Professor of Music at Cardiff University. Apparently blows were exchanged, objects hurled at the stage, and at least one person was challenged to a duel as Stravinsky’s strangled bassoon melody began during the opening section.
THE RITE OF SPRING AT PRISMA What: The 20th century’s most loathed, loved and important symphony will be performed by PRISMA students. When: June 22 at the 7:30 concert at the Evergreen Theatre, and June 23 RBC Symphony Cruise at 1:30 pm. Learn more: www.prismafestival.com. The sounds in the theatre were truly unlike any the Parisienne society patrons had ever heard in their prior lives. The dance was even more disturbing than the music – it invoked Russian primitivism and modernist chic simultaneously. Stravinsky himself characterized the dancers as, “A group of knock kneed and long- braided Lolitas jumping up and down…” Today the celebrated “Riot at the Rite” is acknowl-
Rob Villani
Stacey McCausland
THESE DANCERS WERE A RIOT: Back in 1913, The Rite of Spring’s innovative music and choreography - inspired by indigenous Russia - changed performance forever. Hear what caused the uproar at PRISMA on June 22 and 23. edged as one of the first very public gate-openings to Modernism in Europe, and indeed to the 20th Century. Together Nijinsky and Stravinsky pitched tradition to the winds. Their actions really played to a growing sense, certainly in Russia in 1913, of class warfare and impending revolution. While the audience that opening night was swathed in furs and diamonds, The Rite of Spring was directly appealing to the new, growing and increasingly enfranchised middle class. Through their small business
Katya Buck
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