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Vaslav Nijinsky: The Genius Who Revolutionized Dance

Preston Simmons

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Vaslav Nijinsky was a Russian ballet dancer who is considered one of the greatest and most influential dancers of all time. He was known for his incredible athleticism, grace, and expressive power. Nijinsky's career was cut short by mental illness, but his legacy continues to inspire dancers and audiences around the world.

Dancing Genius: The Stardom of Vaslav Nijinsky

by Hanna Järvinen

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Language	:	English
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Print length	:	334 pages

Early Life and Training

Nijinsky was born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1890. His father was a Polish dancer and his mother was a Czech ballerina. Nijinsky began taking dance lessons at the age of eight, and he quickly showed a remarkable talent for the art form. In 1900, he was admitted to the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg, where he studied under the legendary Marius Petipa.

Nijinsky quickly rose through the ranks at the Imperial Ballet. In 1907, he made his debut as a principal dancer in the premiere of Michel Fokine's ballet Le Pavillon d'Armide. Nijinsky's performance was a sensation, and he quickly became one of the most popular dancers in the world.

Career

Nijinsky's career reached its peak in the years leading up to World War I. He danced with the Ballets Russes, a company founded by Sergei Diaghilev, and he created some of the most iconic roles in ballet history, including the title role in Petrouchka and the Golden Slave in Scheherazade.

Nijinsky was known for his incredible athleticism and his ability to defy gravity. He was also a gifted actor, and he was able to bring a depth of emotion to his roles. Nijinsky's dancing was truly revolutionary, and he helped to change the course of ballet history.

Mental Illness and Later Life

In 1919, Nijinsky was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was institutionalized for the rest of his life, and he never danced again. Nijinsky's mental illness was a tragedy, but it did not diminish his legacy as one of the greatest dancers of all time.

Nijinsky died in London in 1950, at the age of 60. He is buried in Montmartre Cemetery in Paris.

Legacy

Nijinsky's legacy continues to inspire dancers and audiences around the world. His revolutionary approach to dance has had a profound impact on the art form, and his performances continue to be studied and admired by dancers of all ages.

Nijinsky was a true genius, and his dancing was a gift to the world. He will never be forgotten.

Vaslav Nijinsky Dancing In Petrouchka Dancing Genius: The Stardom Of Vaslav Nijinsky