The Great Nijinsky
God of Dance
Watertown, Massachusetts : Charlesbridge, [2019]
Format: Book
Description: 112 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 27 cm
With one grand leap off the stage at the 1909 premiere of the Ballets Russes's inaugural season, Nijinsky became an overnight sensation and the century's first superstar, in the days before moving pictures brought popular culture to the masses. Perhaps the greatest dancer of the twentieth century, Nijinsky captured audiences with his sheer animal magnetism and incredible skill. He was also half of the most famous (and openly gay) couple of the Edwardian era- his relationship with Serge Diaghilev, artistic director and architect of the Ballets Russes, pushed boundaries in a time when homosexuality and bisexuality were rarely discussed. Nijinsky's life was tumultuous--after marrying a female groupie he hardly knew, he was kicked out of the Ballets Russes and placed under house arrest during World War I. Unable to work as he once did, his mental health deteriorated, and he spent three decades in and out of institutions. Biographical narrative is interspersed with spotlights on the ballets the dancer popularized- classic masterworks such as Afternoon of a Faun, The Firebird, and of course, the shockingly original Rite of Spring, which caused the audience to riot at its premiere. Illustrated with elegant, intimate portraits as well as archival art and photographs.
Contents:
Prologue: Wonder of wonders -- Born to dance -- World of art -- The Ballets Russes -- Celebrity and adulation -- Petrushka -- The Afternoon of a Faun -- Games and rituals -- Romola -- The war years -- The last dance -- Leap into madness -- Epilogue: Legacy and legend.
Subjects:
Nijinsky, Vaslaw, 1890-1950 -- Juvenile literature.
Ballet dancers -- Russia (Federation) -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Choreographers -- Russia (Federation) -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Nijinsky, Vaslaw, 1890-1950 -- Juvenile literature.
Ballet dancers -- Russia (Federation) -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Choreographers -- Russia (Federation) -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Target Audience: Ages: 12+
ISBN:
9781580898003 (reinforced for library use)
Availability | |||
---|---|---|---|
Call Number | Location | Shelf Location | Status |
T BIOGRAPHY Nijinsky, Vaslaw | Southeast | Teen Biography | In |
T BIOGRAPHY Nijinsky, Vaslaw | Wheatley (Shandon) | Teen Biography | In |
Includes bibliographical references and index.