Analysis Of Igor Stravinsky's Rite Of Spring

The word “ballet” brings to mind words such as “grace” or “beauty” when heard by many people. The definition itself states that it is a form of dance that uses precise steps and light, graceful motions. This definition was in the minds of those who attended the Théâtre des Champs-Élysèes in May 1913, but rather they were greeted with the complete opposite. When Igor Stravinsky’s ballet Rite of Spring opened, the audience was greeted with swift, chaotic music that quickly became a whirlwind of sound. The music softened and the curtains opened to a primitive dance, causing mass hysteria throughout the theatre. The audience felt they were being attacked, for they had paid and dressed in ornate gowns to see the beauty and grace they feel reflected who they were, but instead they were shown a primal, barbaric scene. This piece had disrupted the order and harmony that one could associate ballet with. When hearing of this piece in

I am perplexed as to why she is frozen though, for she does not seem frightened, but emotionless. It is not until the bears and men come out that she begins to show emotion. I also do not understand why she is being sacrificed. Whatever the reason, it seems very important to this group of people as well as the nature that is being symbolized in the bears. When the sacrificial woman begins to dance, it is almost calling out. She is now showing how frightened she is, with trembling legs and impossible efforts to try to escape her fate. I feel as though towards the end she becomes more panicked and losses energy the more she dances. This is supported by her actions in which she grabs her leg and falls to the ground. One can tell she is slowly losing energy when her dances become more chaotic and less graceful then they were before. In the ending, where she dies and is lifted by the bears, I feel as though she was sacrificed to nature but I am still not