The Rite of Spring in rehearsal (The Royal Ballet)

In 1962, a 20-year-old Monica Mason was plucked from the corps de ballet to dance The Chosen One in Kenneth MacMillan's The Rite of Spring. In 2013, a 20-year-old Claudia Dean finds herself in the same situation.

Watch Monica and Claudia explore the final solo from the ballet which sees The Chosen One dance herself to death.

With pianists Rob Clark and Philip Cornfield

[RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[madeline]

4:36 god even the page turn is impressive

[cynthiazhang]

Who else came here after watching her react to this?

[ddazuulada]

I wish there were more videos of Claudia's rehearsals or performances. I've only discovered her through her channel and I think she's just remarkable and a wonderful dancer!

[lilysticha]

To those of you who don’t know what the story is about, let me tell you, The ballet choreography by Nijinsky and the piece that goes along with it by Igor Stravinsky takes place in ancient pagan Russia, during the coming of spring the people perform a ritual in order to honor the earth and in honor of spring the ballet begins with a series of dances each by a different group a people. The ballet then ends with the sacrificial dance which you see here where young girls perform this dance and the first one who falls is “the chosen one” she is then forced to dance herself to her death as a sacrifice to the earth and to their Gods in order to have a good spring. Both the music and dancing are meant to be intense and to make people feel a bit uncomfortable, in fact at the time it was written it actually caused riots because it was considered “unorthodox” and dramatically different from the orderly often religious music that was common at the time.

[elodiemoore]

Now knowing that this girl's cheography is about her dancing herself to death, I am seeing it in a different way and it's sending chills down my spine. I'm not sure why but I'm now finding it much scarier than something you would see in a horror movie maybe? But this is breathtaking! It's videos like these that inspire me to want to become the best I can at ballet as I am now grade 3. I applaud!

[ginaferrara]

It’s really nuts that Claudia wasn’t promoted after this performance. Especially since there are so many ranks in the Royal Ballet. I think she really did deserve it. Luckily she gets to dance every day teaching her students, has an amazing personality, and makes a ton of money doing it! Good for her.

[bubblpopz]

My friend actually told me (shes in my schools orchestra) that they were playing pieces from this ballet, and that it was a dark drama about a girl who basically danced to death against her will, maybe that explains the puppet actions and awkward movements but so amazing. :)

[chelsearose]

I love the pride in Monicas face watching Claudia

[gabooper]

If this looks weird to me now, I can only imagine how confused people must have been when this ballet first premiered..

[GG-gwzy]

I love how this choreography includes the exhaustion. Well done!

[empathandy__]

No biggie, I’m pretty sure I can master the move @ 5:49

[Glimdaya]

Gosh she has to remember so many steps

[dinkvjr]

In 8 hours she learned and perfected that!! 8 hours! Respect! Sad that she doesn't dance any more but I'm sure she's already danced a lifetime in her time. Not to mention dancers normally put everything aside.. EVERYTHING. A new book for her to write. Good Luck Claudia! Thanks for the great videos!!! 😍

[heartsdeprived]

As someone who has no ballet background and with only a love for dance, I found this movement very... odd. It was almost ugly how chaotic it was. But as I kept watching, it was almost as if she was casting a spell and I couldn't look away. I needed to see the end. I knew that technically this was a very difficult piece, but the way she made it look almost effortless was astounding. Simply magnificent how manic and enrapturing it was.

[personalprivate]

Visceral is her rhythmic precision, ..she lands and or jumps RIGHT fromthe middlfe ofthe beat. The pianists are awesome....i feel my stomach in delicious knots of life

[robertodilizio]

2:53 Tried to jump like her. Lost ten years of my life.
Awesome Claudia! :)

[anonymouslyanonymous]

Accompanist is the most under-appreciated occupation ever. The accompanists are also very incredible.

[islandhorsetaker]

Claudia Dean is amazing and she's very talented. It's sad that she's quitting ballet but of course it's her decision. Every one should do what makes them happy. Good luck to Claudia in the new chapter of her life :)

[zebmiller]

“we’ll go straight from bum bum
bum bum bum bum” kills me EVERY TIME