The Rite of Spring

Available for over a year

In a year of extraordinary cultural events, none was more notorious than the first performance of The Rite of Spring, performed by the Ballet Russes to Nijinsky's choreography and Stravinsky's innovative music, with startling designs by Nicholas Roerich. An audience riot erupted, and the fame, if not the success, of the production was assured. Music historian Richard Witts of Edge Hill University looks at and beyond this one performance to the musical landscape of the city that hosted it, finding innovation and groundbreaking events throughout this memorable year.