Le Sacre du printemps by Igor Strawinsky provoked one of the greatest theatrical scandals of the 20th century when it premiered in 1913 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. By portraying a rite of spring in pre-Christian Russia the ballet brings an act of violence onto the stage.
Marko Japelj, Le sacre du printemps | Choreographed by E. Clug | Photo © G. Batardon
A woman is sacrificed in an archaic ritual to the god of fertility in order to conciliate the forces of nature. This topical subject matter has repeatedly challenged choreographers to new interpretations. Inspired by Vaslav Nijinsky’s première version of 1913, the Slovenian choreographer Edward Clug adopts a contemporary approach to the work. By confronting the dancers with the element of water in a spectacular way, he places the human being as a plaything and servant of nature at the centre of his disturbing interpretation.
The set is designed by Marko Japelj and here photographed by Gregory Batardon, the costumes are by Leo Kulaš. Lighting design by Martin Gebhardt, choreography by Edward Clug.
At Ballett Zürich, Switzerland, until April 5.
Source: Ballett Zürich
