Boosey & Hawkes

Stravinsky: riotous scandal in Turku

(September 2003)

The scandalous premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring has been recreated by the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra.

Russian impresario Serge Diaghilev commissioned Igor Stravinsky to compose The Rite of Spring for his Ballets Russes company, and the premiere took place at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris in 1913. The events leading up to the premiere and the scandal of the concert itself, with noisy altercations between rival pro and contra factions, have been recreated 90 years later by the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, with three highly successful performances of a special 'Scandal' evening on 24, 25 and 27 September at the Turku Concert Hall.

The first part of the evening took the form of a drama with musical interludes. The text by scriptwriter, director and actor Frej Lindqvist includes dramatic dialogues between Diaghilev, Stravinsky and Nijinsky as they prepare for the Paris premiere, with the Turku Philharmonic's Chief Conductor Tibor Bogányi taking the role of Pierre Monteux. Voices from the audience include those of composers Debussy, Ravel and Saint-Saëns who attended the premiere, and the audience is invited to participate as followers of the pro- or anti-modernist camps. Musical interludes include The Firebird, Scherzo Fantastique, Petrushka, The King of the Stars, leading up to the Jeu du Rapt from The Rite of Spring which precipitates the riot among the audience. As fights break out, policemen enter the theatre and the performance is halted - all much to Diaghilev's delight. The second part of the evening contains a complete performance of The Rite of Spring, danced in Turku with choreography by Tiina Lindfors.

The Turku Philharmonic's Stravinsky Scandal concert is available for presentation by other venues and festivals, and an English version of the play text has been created.

> Further information on Work: The Rite of Spring
> Further information on Rite Of Spring

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