Main content

The Rite of Spring

Episode 2 of 5

Music historian Richard Witts focuses on the notorious opening of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring in 1913 and its role in music of the city that 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.

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Tue 8 Jan 2013 22:45

Broadcast

  • Tue 8 Jan 2013 22:45

Death in Trieste

Death in Trieste

A 1760s murder still informs ideas about aesthetics, a certain sort of sex, and death.

Watch: My Deaf World

Watch: My Deaf World

Five compelling experiences of what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain.

The Book that Changed Me

Five figures from the arts and science introduce books that changed their lives and work.

Download The Essay

Download The Essay

Download all the episodes from the series and listen at your leisure.

Podcast