This special ballet evening unites two contrasting yet equally influential works, both choreographed to the music of Igor Stravinsky: George Balanchine’s “Apollo” and Pina Bausch’s “The Rite of Spring.”
“Apollo” (originally “Apollon Musagète”) is a key work of neoclassical ballet, created by George Balanchine in 1928 at the age of just 24, marking the beginning of his lifelong collaboration with Stravinsky. The plot focuses on the young god Apollo, who is visited by the Muses of Dance (Terpsichore), Pantomime (Polyhymnia), and Poetry (Calliope). He chooses Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, as his favorite. The ballet is a study in pure movement, aesthetics, and form. It foregoes elaborate sets and costumes to focus on the purity of lines and the subtlety of movement. Balanchine innovatively used classical ballet steps to depict the god’s development and his relationship with the Muses, culminating in Apollo’s ascent to Parnassus. “Apollo” is considered one of the most important ballets of the 20th century and is a prime example of Balanchine’s unique style, which combines beauty, precision, and musical intelligence.
“The Rite of Spring” by Pina Bausch, premiered in 1975, is one of the most radical and emotionally gripping interpretations of Stravinsky’s revolutionary music. In contrast to Balanchine’s elegance, Bausch’s version delves into the archaic and brutal world of a pagan ritual. The plot revolves around a primitive tribe that, at the end of winter, selects a young girl—the “Chosen One”—who must dance herself to death to ensure the fertility of the earth and summon spring. The stage is often covered with earth, enhancing the connection to nature and the archaic atmosphere. Bausch’s choreography is characterized by raw, almost animalistic energy that explores the fear, despair, and desperate survival of the individual within the group. The dancers move with a raw, often twitching force that reflects the internal conflict and the relentless nature of the sacrifice. It is a work of breathtaking drama and emotional power that pushes the boundaries of traditional ballet and establishes dance as an expression of the deepest human experiences.
