There are probably several ballet dancers’ names that most people would recognise. Misty Copeland, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Margot Fonteyn, Steven McRae, for a start. However, there are many more dancers who have left their mark on ballet, and on culture as a whole, that deserve far more attention. Unsurprisingly, one of the most fascinating historical figures in ballet is that of Nijinsky. Or should I say Vaslav Nijinsky. (More on that later…) An impressive dancer who could do things male dancers still can’t typically do, a choreographer who worked with some of the most impressive composers, and a member of multiple leading companies. Without further adieu, onto the history of Vaslav Nijinsky!
Who Was Vaslav Nijinsky?
Nijinsky was a Polish dancer born to two dancers in 1889, who grew up in Russia. His older brother Stanislav, was not a dancer, but his younger sister, Bronislava, was, and he would dance with his sister for years. He was admitted to the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg in 1900, sponsored by Enrico Cecchetti. (The Cecchetti Method is still used in world-leading ballet schools.)
Nijinsky at the Imperial Ballet School
While at the Imperial Ballet School, Nijinsky excelled at ballet but was academically unmotivated. He had roles in several notable ballets, including The Nutcracker, Pacquita, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty– impressive for a first year student. Famed choreographer Marius Petipa chose Nijinsky to dance the lead in his last ballet in 1904, but it was never performed due to the outbreak of war. He was an incredible dancer, known for his virtuosity and allegro (jumps), and could even dance en pointe. In his later years, his sensuality became a focal point of his performances.
The Imperial Ballet and the Ballets Russes
Nijinsky was given the rank of Coryphée in the Imperial Ballet; this is higher than the corps (an entry level spot in a company). He performed with the Ballet from 1907 until 1908, when he met Serge Diaghilev.
Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes would change Nijinsky’s life. The most influential ballet company of the twentieth century, the Ballets Russes were groundbreaking in every possible way. Choreography found inspiration anywhere, including in Russian folk dances. Composers like Stravinsky and Prokofiev were thrilled to work with the company. Nijinsky often choreographed for the company, including The Rite of Spring. (If you want to be in the know with dancers, bring up The Rite of Spring…) I’ve linked it on Youtube below if you want to watch it!
Nijinsky ended up leaving the company in 1919, after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Want more ballet? Visit my History of Ballet posts here for more!
Were you familiar with Vaslav Nijinsky?
Cheers,
The Historian
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