The Australian Ballet: Nijinksy

A story of power, talent, and the depths of human emotion.

Vaslav Nijinsky was at the height of his career in the early 20th century. His unparalleled performances brought him adoring fans while his evocative and sensual choreography caused riots in Parisian theatres.

In a tragic turn of events, at age 29, Nijinsky succumbed to the effects of schizophrenia, spending the remainder of his life in and out of treatment centres. He gave his last public performance in 1919 in a Swiss hotel in a dance that reflected the gamut of emotions.

Acclaimed narrative ballet choreographer John Neumeier examines Nijinsky’s final performance, charting the rise and fall of a creative genius in vivid detail. He recalls his troubled family, his ill-fated romances and the transcendent performances that brought him fame.

A production that defies categorisation, Nijinsky offers an opportunity for The Australian Ballet’s male artists to take on the dancer’s distinctive style. Evoking the glamour of early 20th-century Paris, rich sets and costumes create a world within a world, brimming with visionary opulence.

Accompanied by a colourful score that features the luscious sounds of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade alongside Chopin, Schumann and Shostakovich, the heady first act is followed by Shostakovich’s darkly brooding Symphony No. 11.

A spectacular piece of theatre, Nijinsky is a tribute to the visionary dancer and choreographer who changed the ballet world forever.

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