Insights: The Legacy of Nijinska

Join us for this extended Insight that celebrates the innovative creative genius of Bronislava Nijinska.

#royaloperahouse

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[avataraayuso]

This video had 9860 views yesterday 23rd November and had to be taken down for a few hours. I just want to make sure everyone is aware of how much interest there is for the great Bronislava Nijinska!

[shirleyaaragon]

The trio from Chile deserved those “Bravos “ for their incredible performance, technique, artistry and emotions. Incredible piece! Powerful dancing!

[phantom]

I think, to be honest, that the dynamics between Diaghilev and Nijinsky was off in the choreography. I sometimes wanted to switch the two dancers' places. Diaghilev wasn't neither dominant, nor imposing, not charismatic and was often led by and not led himself. The choreographic "dialogue" between Bronia and Vaslav I got better, their respective part were organic, imho. The representation of Nijinsky's descent into madness was, unfortunately, way over the top for my taste: no horrific frozen stillness of catatonia and the heartbreaking emptiness of mutism. But still Nijinsky also had obviously episodes of mania as well..? BUT I absolutely adore the lady choreographer's passion and investment into the subject of her ballet. I am glad Nijinska gets the recognition she truly deserves. I admire her work greatly. Thank you for this extremely interesting video! Long live the Nijinskies!

[dancerover]

We should pronounce the "j" in Nijinska as the "g" in the word "genre".

[renater.]

Maybe I'm focusing on minor or irrelevant details, but there's something I miss in Avatara's otherwise fascinating ballet:
The first meeting with Diaghilev seems to be one of peers. Considering that Diaghilev was 17 years Nijinsky's senior and already an "institution" I assume there was kind of a power gap in the men's relationship. To my knowledge Diaghilev was the dominating part which I do not see in the choreography. In the repulsion scene I miss the "factor" Romola and how she had managed to be Nijinsky's wife. Something which - if I'm not mistaken - affected Bronislava, too
Maybe I miss some context since the ROH performance only presentented excerpts of the ballet, but I wonder if - historically - there was a direct confrontation with Diaghilev after Nijinsky's marriage.
But one could surely argue that, since the ballet is about Bronislava, these reflections do not matter 🤷‍♀️