Nijinsky
Vaslav Nijinsky as the Faun in his revolutionary 1912 ballet The Afternoon of a Faun, a performance that transformed ballet and helped create one of the art form's enduring legends.
QUICK F A C T S
- ✦ Nijinsky, Clown of God — Choreographed by Maurice Béjart and premiered in 1972.
✦ Vaslav — Choreographed by John Neumeier and premiered in 1979.
✦ Nijinsky – Divine Dancer — Choreographed by Juha Vanhakartano and premiered in 1990.
✦ Nijinsky — Choreographed by John Neumeier and premiered for the Hamburg Ballet in 2000.
✦ Nijinski — Choreographed by Marco Goecke and premiered for Gauthier Dance in 2016.
✦ Nijinsky — A multi-choreographer production created for Alberta Ballet, premiering in 2025.
Vaslav Nijinsky became one of ballet's most influential figures, inspiring numerous later ballets that explored both his artistic genius and personal struggles.
S U M M A R Y
Vaslav Nijinsky became more than a historical dancer—he became a symbol of artistic genius, innovation, and the personal costs that sometimes accompany extraordinary talent. Long after his final performance, choreographers continued to return to his life and legacy, creating ballets that explored his achievements, struggles, and lasting influence on the art form. Few dancers have inspired so many works dedicated to their memory, making Nijinsky one of ballet's most enduring subjects Yet Nijinsky's story extends far beyond his career.
Nijinsky's portrayal of Petrushka became legendary, helping establish the artistic reputation that later inspired choreographers to create ballets about his life.
Decades after Nijinsky's groundbreaking choreography shocked audiences, Maurice Béjart revisited The Rite of Spring, honoring the artistic legacy that continues to inspire dancers and choreographers.
Rising to fame with Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in the early twentieth century, he astonished audiences with his extraordinary athleticism and expressive performances. His appearances in ballets such as The Afternoon of a Faun, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring helped redefine what ballet could be and established him as one of the most influential figures in dance history. In the years that followed, however, Nijinsky developed schizophrenia, a severe mental illness that gradually ended his performing career and isolated him from the world he had once captivated. The contrast between his artistic brilliance and personal struggles became a lasting part of his story. Today, readers can still experience Nijinsky's voice through The Diary of Vaslav Nijinsky, a remarkable record of his artistic beliefs, personal reflections, and struggles.
For more than a century, choreographers have revisited Nijinsky's life, transforming the dancer himself into a subject for ballet. Works by Maurice Béjart, John Neumeier, Juha Vanhakartano, Marco Goecke, and others have explored different aspects of his journey, from his revolutionary artistry to his inner struggles and enduring influence. Together, these ballets have helped preserve the memory of a performer whose impact reached far beyond the stage. As new generations discover his story, Nijinsky continues to inspire dancers not only through what he accomplished, but through the way he approached art itself. For him, ballet was more than a profession—it was a way of living, and that spirit continues to resonate today.
Clown of God (1972), where MauricA scene from Nijinsky, e Béjart blended biography, symbolism, and theatrical imagery to portray the life of Vaslav Nijinsky.
E N C O R E
✦ On Today's Stage
Although Vaslav Nijinsky's own performances belong to history, ballets inspired by his life continue to appear on stages around the world. Choreographers remain fascinated by his artistry, influence, and remarkable personal story.
✦ Iconic Interpreters
Nijinsky's legacy has been explored by choreographers including Maurice Béjart, John Neumeier, Juha Vanhakartano, Marco Goecke, and others, each offering a unique perspective on the dancer's life and impact.
✦ Legacy
More than a century after his rise to fame, Nijinsky remains one of ballet's most influential figures. Through his performances, choreography, writings, and the many ballets inspired by his life, he continues to inspire new generations of artists to see dance as both an art form and a way of expressing the deepest parts of the human experience.