19-20 Governor's Cup Practice Test

Vaslav Nijinsky was a standout dancer and choreographer for the Ballets Russes, known for pushing ballet into new, modern territory. He choreographed The Afternoon of a Faun in 1912 to Debussy’s music, a sensuous, dreamlike piece that moved away from classical form. He followed with The Rite of Spring in 1913, set to Stravinsky, which brought bold, angular movements and a revolutionary musical rhythm to the stage. These works are defining moments in the company’s history and showcase Nijinsky’s impact as a creator, not just a performer. The other figures played important roles in ballet history, but none share the distinction of choreographing these two landmark pieces for Ballets Russes.