Nijinsky

John Neumeier’s ballet Nijinsky paints a powerful choreographic portrait of the legendary dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. 

Through fragmentary memories, dream sequences, and historical moments from his life, the work opens a window into his inner world. Powerful choreography, music, and symbolic imagery combine to depict both Nijinsky’s artistic genius and his struggle with mental illness.

Synopsis:

The synopsis was written by John Neumeier.

On January 19, 1919 at five o'clock in the afternoon, Vaslav Nijinsky danced in public for the last time in the ballroom of Suvretta House in St. Moritz. He called his performance Wedding with God. My ballet Nijinsky begins with a realistic rendition of this scene. The following choreography visualizes Nijinsky's thoughts, memories and delusions during his last performance.

PART 1:
Evoked by the illusion of his former mentor, impresario and lover Serge Diaghilev, Nijinsky recalls images of his sensational career with the Ballets Russes. Dancers, as parts of his personality, perform fragments of his outstanding roles. Harlequin, the poet from Les Sylphides, the Golden Slave from Scheherazade and The Spirit of the Rose intermingle with characters from his own life. His sister Bronislawa, who later became a choreographer, his older brother Stanislaw - who was also trained as a dancer and was tinged with madness from childhood - and their mother Eleonora Bereda, who together with their father were their children's earliest teachers, appear in his dreamlike fantasy. In another scene of my ballet, Nijinsky recalls his uncompromising struggle for a new choreographic language. His movement experiments flow into the ballets L'Après-midi d'un faune, Jeux, Le Sacre du Printemps andlater Till Eulenspiegel. A woman in red, Romola de Pulszky, Nijinsky's later wife, thwarts his confused memories. He relives their first meeting during a voyage to South America and their sudden marriage - an event that caused the final break with Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes.

PART2:
Nijinsky's madness leads him deeper into his inner being. Memories of childhood, family, school and the Mariinsky Theater mingle with nightmarish visions of the First World War - and his wife's infidelity. The scandalous premiere of his ballet Le Sacre du Printemps is juxtaposed with the brutality of the First World War and the death of his brother Stanislaw. Romola accompanies him through difficult and bad times. In Nijinsky's eyes, it is the world that surrounds him - not “Nijinsky“ who becomes mentally ill ... The performance at Suvretta House and my ballet end with Nijinsky's last dance - the war.

program

Nijinsky
John Neumeier

Place

Vienna State Opera – World-Renowned Stage for Opera and Ballet in the Heart of Vienna

The Vienna State Opera is one of the world's leading opera houses and a cultural landmark of Austria. Located prominently in the heart of Vienna, along the famous Ringstrasse, it offers outstanding opera productions featuring international stars and a renowned ballet ensemble.

Since its grand opening in 1869, the Vienna State Opera has been synonymous with musical excellence, artistic perfection, and an extensive repertoire ranging from operatic classics to contemporary works. Each season, it stages more than 300 performances, including world-famous operas such as Mozart’s "The Magic Flute", Verdi’s "La Traviata", and Puccini’s "Tosca".

Alongside its acclaimed opera productions, the Vienna State Opera is also home to the celebrated Vienna State Ballet, renowned for both classical and contemporary dance performances. The annual Vienna Opera Ball is a prestigious social event with international prominence.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• Lines U1, U2, U4 – Karlsplatz station, direct access

Tram:

• Lines 1, 2, D, 62, 71 – Oper/Karlsplatz stop

Bus:

• Line 59A – Oper stop

Its central location on Vienna’s Ringstrasse ensures convenient and easy access.

Vienna State Opera – A Symbol of Viennese Culture and Musical Excellence

As one of the world's premier opera houses, the Vienna State Opera is an essential destination for opera enthusiasts, music lovers, and visitors seeking to experience the cultural heart of Vienna.