Past Present Future The History of Revolutionary Ideas: The Rite of Spring w/Dominic Dromgoole
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Apr 17, 2025 Dominic Dromgoole, author of 'Astonish Me! First Nights that Changed the World', joins the conversation to dissect Stravinsky’s 'The Rite of Spring'. He delves into the chaotic premiere in 1913, exploring the audience’s outrage and Nijinsky's artistic boldness. The chat also touches on the broader cultural tensions of the time, antisemitism, and the significance of this revolutionary work in modern art. Dromgoole shares insights on how the premiere foreshadowed the societal upheaval to come in 1914 and the unexpected ties to American presidential history.
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Paris as Cultural Epicenter
- Paris was the vital cultural center where revolutionary art made its biggest splash, not Russia itself.
- Diaghilev understood that art events had impact beyond the stage, influencing society deeply.
Key Changes for Shock Factor
- Nijinsky replacing a classicist choreographer led to a wilder, more shocking production.
- The new Théâtre Champs-Élysées was elegant but too new to support bold storytelling comfortably.
Antisemitism Shadows the Premiere
- Antisemitism in France lingered venomously after the Dreyfus Affair, affecting even artistic events.
- Gabriel Estrup, Jewish impresario, faced harsh anti-Semitic press and audience hostility at the premiere.
