Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and The Rite of Spring

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Choreographer Marie Chouinard presents two unorthodox performances that mark pivotal moments in her trailblazing career, both inspired by iconic Ballets Russes masterpieces by Vaslav Nijinsky. The original works were revolutionary for their departure from classical ballet, and Chouinard extends their avant-garde impact, reimagining them through her contemporary lens and transforming each into a viscerally provocative experience.

Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun is a solo set to Claude Debussy, interpreting the lustful flirtations of a half-goat creature, which amplifies the erotic undertones of Nijinsky’s version with a raw sensuality and primal physicality.

The Rite of Spring holds a special place in Chouinard’s repertoire as her first work based on a musical score—Igor Stravinsky’s radical hymn to life, whose dissonant rhythms famously sparked scandal when first premiered. Stripping down the original narrative of Pagan spring rituals, an ensemble constructed around solos distills the composition to its raw elemental force, capturing the explosive energy of creation. A vivid celebration of dance as it bursts into modernity, evoking the moment following life’s first pulse.

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