The Rite of Spring/ Gianni Schicchi
Phoenix Dance Theatre, Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre, 16th February 2019
Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring famously caused a riot at its 1913 premiere at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Demonstrations disrupted the performance, leading choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky to stand on a chair in the wings shouting out the numbers so the dancers, no longer able to hear the orchestra, could keep count. Giacomo Puccini attended the second night and pronounced the choreography “ridiculous” and the score “an absolute cacophony… it’s the work of a madman.” I wonder what Puccini would have thought of Opera North’s decision to pair The Rite with his one-act comedy Gianni Schicchi.
Richard Burkhard (Gianni Schicchi)
© Tristram Kenton
Click here to read the full review on Bachtrack.