- Nijinsky redirects here. For other uses of the name see Nijinsky (disambiguation).
- See also: Category:Ballets by Vaslav Nijinsky
Vaslav Fomich Nijinsky (Вацлав Фомич Нижинский; transliterated: Vatslav Fomich Nizhinsky; Polish: Wacław Niżyński) (March 12, 1889 – April 8, 1950) was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer. Polish ( język polski, polszczyzna) is the Official language of Poland. Events 538 - Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving Year 1889 ( MDCCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. See also, Choreography (literally "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" (circular dance see chorea) and "γραφή" Nijinsky was one of the most gifted male dancers in history, and he became celebrated for his virtuosity and for the depth and intensity of his characterizations. He could perform en pointe, a rare skill among male dancers at the time (Albright, 2004) and his ability to perform seemingly gravity-defying leaps was also legendary. Dancing on pointe, or en pointe (pronounced /ɑ̃ pwɛ̃t/ often anglicised as /ɑn pwɛ̃t/ or /ɑn pɔɪnt/ is the act of standing on the tips of the Toes The choreographer Bronislava Nijinska was his sister. See also Bronislava Nijinska (Бронислава Фоминична Нижинская Bronislava Fominichna Nizhinskaya; Polish: Bronisława Niżyńska
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Early Life and Work
Vaslav Nijinsky was born in Kiev, Ukraine to a Russian dancer's family of Eleonora Bereda and Tomasz Niżyński. Kiev, also known as Kyiv ( Ukrainian:, Kyiv, ˈkɪjiw Russian:, Kiyev; see also Cities' alternative names) is the Nijinsky was christened in Warsaw. Warsaw (Warszawa; also known by other names) is the Capital and Largest city of Poland. In 1900 he joined the Imperial Ballet School, where he studied under Enrico Cecchetti, Nicholas Legat, and Pavel Gerdt. Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar The Vaganova Ballet Academy is probably the most famous and influential Classical ballet school in the world Enrico Cecchetti ( 21 June 1850, Rome - 13 November 1928, Milan) was an Italian Ballet dancer Nikolai Gustavovich Legat (Николай Густавович Легат (1869 - 1937 was a dancer with the Russian Imperial Ballet from 1888 to 1914 and was the main successor Pavel Andreyevich Gerdt, also known as Paul Gerdt (near St Peterburg, Russia, 22 November 1844 — Vamaloki, Finland At 18 years old he had leading roles in the Mariinsky Theatre. The Mariinsky Theatre ( Мариинский театр, also spelled Maryinsky Theatre is a historic theatre of Opera and Ballet in
A turning point for Nijinsky was his meeting with Sergei Diaghilev, a member of the St Petersburg elite and wealthy patron of the arts, promoting Russian visual and musical art abroad, particularly in Paris. Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev (Серге́й Па́влович Дя́гилев / Sergei Pavlovich Dyagilev) also referred to as Serge, ( March 31, Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Nijinsky and Diaghilev became lovers, and Diaghilev became heavily involved in directing Nijinsky's career. In 1909 Diaghilev took a company to Paris, with Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova as the leads. Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Anna Pavlovna Pavlova (А́нна Па́вловна Па́влова (&ndash 23 January, 1931) was a famous Russian Ballerina of the late The show was a great success and increased the reputation of both the leads and Diaghilev throughout the artistic circles of Europe. Diaghilev created Les Ballets Russes in its wake, and with choreographer Michel Fokine, made it one of the most well-known companies of the time. See also Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, The Ballets Russes ( French for The Russian Ballets) was a Ballet company established See also Michel Fokine (a French transliteration English transliteration Mikhail Fokin; from Михаил Михайлович Фокин, Mikhaíl Mikháylovich
Nijinsky's talent showed in Fokine's pieces such as “Le Pavillon d'Armide” (music by Nikolai Tcherepnin), “Cleopatra” (music by Anton Arensky and other Russian composers) and a divertissement “The Feast”. Nikolai Nikolayevich Tcherepnin ( &ndash 26 June 1945) was a Russian Composer, Pianist, and conductor. Anton Stepanovich Arensky (Антон Степанович Аренский ( –) was a Russian Composer of Romantic classical music, a Pianist Divertimento (from italian divertire - to amuse is a music genre with most of its examples stemming from the 18th century His execution of a pas de deux from the “Sleeping Beauty” (Tchaikovsky) was a tremendous success; in 1910 he shone in “Giselle”, and Fokine’s ballets “Carnaval" and “Scheherazade” (based on the orchestral suite by Rimsky-Korsakov). See also Pas de trois In Ballet, a pas de deux ( French, step/dance for two) is a duet in which ballet steps are performed together Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Carnival is a festival season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February and March Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov ( Николай Андреевич Римский-Корсаков, Nikolaj Andreevič Rimskij-Korsakov) also Nikolay His partnership with Tamara Karsavina, also of the Mariinsky Theatre, was legendary. Tamara Platonovna Karsavina (10 March 1885 &ndash 26 May 1978 was a famous Russian Ballerina who eventually settled in England, where she helped found
Then Nijinsky went back to the Mariinsky Theatre, but was dismissed for appearing on-stage wearing tights without the trunks obligatory for male dancers in the company. The Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna complained that his appearance was obscene, and he was dismissed. It is probable that the scandal was arranged by Diaghilev in order that Nijinsky could be free to appear with his company, in the west, where many of his projects now centered around him. He danced leading roles in Fokine's new productions "Spectre de la Rose” (Weber), a role never satisfactorily danced since his retirement, and Igor Stravinsky's Petrushka, in which his impersonation of a dancing but lifeless puppet was much admired. Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber ( 18 December 1786 in Eutin, Holstein, Germany - 5 June 1826 in London Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (Игорь Фёдорович Стравинский) ( &ndash 6 April 1971 was a Russian born Composer, considered by many to Petrushka (Петрушка is a Stock character of Russian folk Puppetry ( Rayok) known at least since 17th century
He then himself choreographed four ballets, L'après-midi d'un faune (The Afternoon of a Faun, based on Claude Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune) (1912), Jeux (1913), Till Eulenspiegel (1916) and Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring, with music by Igor Stravinsky (1913). The Ballet L'après-midi d'un faune (or The Afternoon of a Faun) was choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky for the Achille-Claude Debussy (aʃil klod dəbysi (August 22 1862 &ndash March 25 1918 was a French Composer. Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (commonly known by its original French title Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune) is a Musical composition Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Jeux ( Games) is the last work for Orchestra written by Claude Debussy. Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Till Eulenspiegel (tɪl ˈʔɔʏlənˌʃpiːgəl Low Saxon: Dyl Ulenspegel dɪl ˈʔuːlnˌspɛɪgl̩ was an impudent Trickster figure who originated Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year This article is about the ballet music For the emo/hardcore band see Rites of Spring The Rite of Spring, commonly referred Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (Игорь Фёдорович Стравинский) ( &ndash 6 April 1971 was a Russian born Composer, considered by many to Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Nijinsky created choreography far from that of traditional ballet. His radical angular movements, together with Stravinsky's radically modern score, caused a riot at the Théâtre de Champs-Elysées when Le Sacre du Printemps was premiered in Paris. As the title character in L'après-midi d'un faune the final tableau, during which he mimed masturbation with the scarf of a nymph, caused a scandal; he was accused by half of Paris of obscenity, but defended by such artists as Rodin, Odilon Redon and Proust. Auguste Rodin (born François-Auguste-René Rodin; November 12 1840–November 17 1917 was a French artist most famous as a sculptor. Bertrand-Jean Redon, better known as Odilon Redon ( April 20, 1840 &ndash July 6, 1916) was a Symbolist painter and Valentin Louis Georges Eugène Marcel Proust (maʁsɛl pʁust (10 July 1871 &ndash 18 November 1922 was a French Novelist Essayist and Critic Revivals of some of his work, based on accurate choreographic records, have shown him to be a very considerable, successful and inventive choreographer.
Never Been Filmed
Nijinsky had never been filmed on stage or in life. When it was suggested to Diaghilev to record Nijinsky's performances on films for later generations, he declined, saying that the later generations would find a way to take care of themselves.
Marriage, Decline, and Demise
In 1913 the Ballets Russes toured South America, and because of Diaghilev's belief that he would die on water, as he was told by a fortune teller in his younger days, he was incapable of crossing water and thus did not accompany them. Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common See also Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, The Ballets Russes ( French for The Russian Ballets) was a Ballet company established South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Without his mentor's supervision Nijinsky entered a relationship with Romola Pulszky, a Hungarian countess. A count is a Nobleman in European countries The word count comes from French comte, itself from Latin An ardent fan of Nijinsky, she took up ballet and used her family connections to get close to him. Despite her efforts to attract him, Nijinsky appeared unconscious of her presence. Finally Romola booked passage on board a ship that Nijinsky was due to travel on, and during the voyage Romola succeeded in engaging his affections.
Numerous speculations as to the true reason for their marriage have arisen, including the suggestion that Nijinsky saw Romola's title and supposed wealth as a means to escape Diaghilev's repression.
Romola has often been vilified as the woman who forced Nijinsky to abandon his artistry for cabaret fare, her pragmatic and plebeian ways often jarring with his sensitive nature. Cabaret is a form of entertainment featuring Comedy, Song, Dance, and Theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue &mdash a Restaurant Pragmatism generally considered to have originated in the late nineteenth century with Charles Peirce, who first stated the Pragmatic maxim. Plebs were the general body of landowners of Roman Citizens in Ancient Rome. In his diary, Nijinsky famously said of Romola "My wife is an untwinkling star . . . " They were married in Buenos Aires: when the company returned to Europe, Diaghilev, in a jealous rage because he and Nijinsky were supposed to be lovers, fired them both. Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is geographically located on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern Nijinsky tried to create his own troupe, but its crucial London engagement failed due to administrative problems.
During World War I Nijinsky was interned in Hungary. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Diaghilev succeeded in getting him out for a North American tour in 1916, during which he choreographed and danced the leading role in Till Eulenspiegel. Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Till Eulenspiegel (tɪl ˈʔɔʏlənˌʃpiːgəl Low Saxon: Dyl Ulenspegel dɪl ˈʔuːlnˌspɛɪgl̩ was an impudent Trickster figure who originated Signs of his dementia praecox were becoming apparent to members of the company. Dementia praecox ("premature Dementia " is a term first used in 1891 in this Latin form by Arnold Pick (1851-1924 a professor of psychiatry at the German He became afraid of other dancers and that a trap door would be left open.
Nijinsky had a nervous breakdown in 1919 and his career effectively ended. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and taken to Switzerland by his wife where he was treated by psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler. Schizophrenia ( from the Greek roots schizein (σχίζειν "to split" and phrēn Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Paul Eugen Bleuler ( April 30, 1857 – July 15, 1939) was a Swiss psychiatrist most notable for his contributions to the He spent the rest of his life in and out of psychiatric hospitals and asylums. His wife devoted her life entirely to his care, and whatever criticisms may be made of her, her devotion to him was complete. Nijinsky died in a London clinic on April 8, 1950 and was buried in London until 1953 when his body was moved to Cimetière de Montmartre, Paris, France beside the graves of Gaetano Vestris, Theophile Gautier, and Emma Livry. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Montmartre Cemetery ( Fr: Cimetière de Montmartre is a famous cemetery located at 37 Avenue Samson in the 18th ''arrondissement'' of Paris Gaetano Appolino Baldassare Vestris (1729 - 1808 French Ballet Dancer, was born in Florence and made his debut at the opera in 1749 See also Pierre Jules Théophile Gautier ( August 30, 1811 – October 23, 1872) was a French Poet, Dramatist Emma Livry ( 24 September 1842 &ndash 26 July 1863) was one of the last Ballerinas of the Romantic ballet era and
Nijinsky's daughter Kyra married the Ukrainian conductor Igor Markevich, and they had a son named Vaslav. Igor Markevitch (Ігор Маркевич ( August 9, 1912 &ndash March 7, 1983) was a Ukrainian Composer The marriage ended in divorce.
Nijinsky's Diary was written during the six weeks he spent in Switzerland before being committed to the asylum. Obscure and confused, it is obviously the work of a schizophrenic, but in many ways reflects a loving nature, combining elements of autobiography with appeals for compassion toward the less fortunate, and for vegetarianism and animal rights. Nijinsky writes of the importance of feeling as opposed to reliance on reason and logic alone, and he denounces the practice of art criticism as being nothing more than a way for those who practice it to indulge their own egos rather than focusing on what the artist was trying to say. The diary also contains a bitter exposé of Nijinsky's relationship with Diaghilev.
As a dancer Nijinsky was clearly extraordinary in his time, though at the end of her life his great partner Tamara Karsavina suggested that any young dancer out of the Royal Ballet School could now perform the technical feats with which he astonished his contemporaries. Tamara Platonovna Karsavina (10 March 1885 &ndash 26 May 1978 was a famous Russian Ballerina who eventually settled in England, where she helped found His main talent was probably not so much technical (Stanislas Idzikowski could leap as high and as far) as in mime and characterisation; his major failing was that, being himself unable to form a satisfactory partnership with a woman, he was unsuccessful where such a relationship was important on-stage (in, say, Giselle). Giselle is a Ballet by Adolphe Adam. It has 2 acts 2 scenes with a libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Théophile In epicene roles such as the god in Le Dieu Bleu, the rose in Spectre or the favourite slave in Scheherezade he was unsurpassed. Epicene is an Adjective (sometimes substantive) for loss of Gender distinction often specific loss of Masculinity. That he was an astonishing and influential artist is not in question.
In popular culture
- Nijinsky figures prominently in Colin Wilson's first book The Outsider
- The race horse Nijinsky II, was named after the dancer. Colin Henry Wilson (born June 26, 1931 in Leicester) is a prolific British writer The Outsider is a non-fiction book by Colin Wilson first published in 1956 This article is about the sport For other uses see Horserace (drinking game or Horse race (politics. The racehorse Nijinsky (1967-1992 (named after the Dancer Vaslav Nijinsky) was a son of Northern Dancer and Flaming Page, both winners of the
- Nijinsky is the central speaker of Frank Bidart's poem "The War of Vaslav Nijinsky. "
- Nijinsky is the title of the second solo album by French pop singer Daniel Darc (Bondage 1994)
- Nijinsky is the focus of the T. Rex song "Nijinsky Hind", from the album Unicorn. Daniel Darc ( May 20, 1959 in Paris, France) is a French Singer, who has achieved success with his band Taxi Girl TRex (occasionally spelled T Rex or T-Rex) were an English rock band fronted by guitarist singer and songwriter Marc Bolan. Unicorn is a 1969 album by British band Tyrannosaurus Rex, comprising Marc Bolan (vocals guitar and Steve "Peregrine" Took (bongos
- Nijinsky is widely regarded as the originator of the commonly used phrase "up here for thinking, down there for dancing".
- There is a poem by Giorgos Seferis, called "Nijinski", in his collection Tetradia Gymnasmaton. Giorgos Seferis (Γιώργος Σεφέρης ( March 13, 1900, or February 29 according to the Julian calendar then in use September 20
- Nijinsky's Diary is included in Henry Miller's list of "The Hundred Books That Influenced Me Most. Henry Valentine Miller (December 26 1891 &ndash June 7 1980 was an American writer and painter. "[1]
Plays
- Nijinsky: God's Mad Clown (1986)
Written by Glenn J. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Blumstein. Productions: The Kennedy Center (Washington, D. C. 1987); Teatr na Małej Bronnej (Moscow - 1997-1999); Występy w Teatrze Bagatela (Krakow, Poland, 1999)).
- Nijinsky: God's Mad Clown (Amazon. com link)
- Chinchilla (1977)
Written by Robert David MacDonald, Citizens' Theatre Company, Glasgow. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays
Movies
- Nijinsky (1970)
The screenplay was written by Edward Albee. See also Pre-production Screenwriting A screenplay or script is a written plan authored by a Screenwriter, for a Film or Television Edward Franklin Albee III ( "AWL-bee" born March 12 1928 is a three time Pulitzer Prize winning American playwright known for works including The film was to be directed by Tony Richardson and star Rudolph Nureyev as Vaslav, Claude Jade as Romola and Paul Scofield as Diaghilev, but producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman canceled the project. Tony Richardson ( June 5, 1928 – November 14, 1991) was an English theatre and Academy Award -winning film Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev ( Tatar: Rudolf Xämät ulı Nuriev, Russian: Рудольф Хаметович Нуриев Claude Jade, byname of Claude Marcelle Jorré ( 8 October 1948 - 1 December 2006) was a French actress, best known David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE ( 21 January 1922 &ndash 19 March 2008) was an English award-winning actor of stage Albert Romolo Broccoli, CBE (Hon ( April 5 1909 &ndash June 27 1996) nicknamed "Cubby" was an American Harry Saltzman ( October 27 1915 - September 28 1994) was a theatre and Film producer best known for his mega-gamble which resulted
- Nijinsky (1980)
Directed by Herbert Ross, starring George de la Pena as Vaslav, Leslie Browne as Romola, Alan Bates as Diaghilev and Jeremy Irons as Fokine. Nijinsky is a 1980 American Biographical film directed by Herbert Ross. Herbert Ross ( May 13, 1927 – October 9, 2001) was an American Film director, producer, Choreographer George de la Peña (b 1955 or 1956 in New York City, New York, U Leslie Browne (born 1958 is an American Ballet dancer and actress Sir Alan Arthur Bates CBE (17 February 1934 – 27 December 2003 was a British Actor. Jeremy John Irons (born September 19 1948) is an English film television and stage Actor. Pulzsky Romola had a writing credit for the film. Needless to say, she was portrayed completely sympathetically.
- The Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky (2001)
Directed and written by Paul Cox. Paulus ("Paul" Henriqus Benedictus Cox (born 16 April 1940 in Venlo, Limburg) is an award-winning Australian-based Film director. The screenplay was based directly on Nijinsky's diaries and read over related imagery. The subject matter included his work, his sickness, and his relationships with Diaghilev as well as his wife.
Sources
- Albright, Daniel (2004). "Modernism and Music: An Anthology of Sources", p. 19. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-01267-0.
- Bergamini, John (1969) "The Tragic Dynasty: A History of the Romanovs," pg. 430. Konecky and Konecky. ISBN 1-56852-160-X
- Buckle, Richard (1971) "Nijinsky"
- Buckle, Richard (1979) "Diaghilev
- Kopelson, Kevin (1997) The Queer Afterlife of Vaslav Nijinsky. Christopher Richard Sandforth Buckle, better known as Richard Buckle, ( 6 August 1916 - 12 October 2001) was a lifelong devotee Christopher Richard Sandforth Buckle, better known as Richard Buckle, ( 6 August 1916 - 12 October 2001) was a lifelong devotee Kevin Kopelson is an American literary critic He received a B Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-2950-6
- Parker, Derek (1988) "Nijinsky: God of the Dance"
References
- ^ Miller, Henry New York: New Directions, 1952. ISBN 0-8112-0108-2
External links
- Vaslav Nijinsky: Creating A New Artistic Era Vaslav, New York Public Library.
- The Diary of Vaslav Nijinsky (Unexpurgated) (Amazon. com link)
- Internet Movie Database: The Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky
- Internet Movie Database: Nijinsky (Tony Richardson)
- Vaslav Nijinsky in Giselle
- The Queer Afterlife of Vaslav Nijinsky (Amazon. com link)
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