Nijinsky’s Notation for L’Après-Midi d’un Faune
Dancer/actress Ida Rubinstein agreed to perform the role of the Nymph in Nijinsky’s L’Après-midi d’un Faune but, after only one rehearsal, she was indignant about the choreography and refused to participate in the ballet. Later, Rubinstein related her reasons. “Nijinsky wanted the impossible. If I had submitted to his direction I would have dislocated every joint in my body and would have been transformed into a maimed marionette!” Shown here are some of Nijinsky’s notes for the choreography, in his own hand.
Dancer/actress Ida Rubinstein agreed to perform the role of the Nymph in Nijinsky’s <em>L’Après-midi d’un Faune</em> but, after only one rehearsal, she was indignant about the choreography and refused to participate in the ballet. Later, Rubinstein related her reasons. “Nijinsky wanted the impossible. If I had submitted to his direction I would have dislocated every joint in my body and would have been transformed into a maimed marionette!” Shown here are some of Nijinsky’s notes for the choreography, in his own hand.