Nijinsky masterpieces to be staged in town

THREE masterpieces of Vaslav Nijinsky will be staged within a single night at Shanghai Grand Theater on June 9-10, paying homage to the legendary choreographer.

“L’Apres-midi d’un faune” (Afternoon of a Faun), “Jeux” (Games) and “Rite of Spring” are to be performed by Compagnie Association du 48 and Les Siecles from France, based on the reconstruction and recreation of Dominique Brun.

With his seemingly gravity-defying leaps and breakthrough in traditional ballet aesthetics, Nijinsky was called one of the most gifted male dancers and choreographers in history. A nervous breakdown at 30 years old ended his short yet glorious career, and he left the world a legend.

Nijinsky has been followed by numerous choreographers in the past 100 years, including French choreographer Brun, who is determined to restore as much from the original version of Nijinsky as possible.

The recreation of the three Nijinsky pieces was oftentimes like an “archeological excavation.” Without the original manuscript, Brun collected, organized and analyzed historical materials from “Rite of Spring,” which premiered at Relais des Halles in 1913, and made a recreation based on it with the help of historians.

French artist Valentine Hugo’s paintings on “Jeux” in 1910 gave Brun much inspiration when recreating “Jeux.”

“L’Apres-midi d’un faune” will be an exact original version based on Nijinsky’s manuscript.

Les Siecles, conducted by Francois-Xavier Roth, will play live for the programs. Some antique instruments will be used to help replicate the music of Debussy and Stravinsky.

The orchestra will also visit Shanghai Children’s Medical Center on June 9 to play for the patients.

Date: June 9-10, 7:20pm Tickets: 80-880 yuan

Tel: 6386-8686

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater Address: 300 People’s Ave