Nijinsky is the title of this ‘choreographic approach’ to a dance phenomenon that has been part of John Neumeier’s life ever since the beginning of his career. During his approximately ten years as a dancer, Vaslav Nijinsky (1889-1950) set a new standard both technically and expressively, while in his choreographic work he pointed the way towards modern dance.

All three aspects - the dancer, the choreographer and the person Nijinsky - form the starting point for John Neumeier’s latest creation. Neumeier, who as early as 1979 presented a short ballet ‘Vaslav’, is regarded as one of the leading Nijinsky experts worldwide. Nevertheless, it was not without reluctance that he took up the task of honouring - through dance - a dance legend: ‘In creating a work about a historical person, what aspect should we concentrate on? Who was he truly: The man? The artist? Which witness, what information can we trust, which theories should one follow? What point of view can we take towards the complex puzzle Nijinsky? An instinctive choice must be made...’

Bonus: Interview with John Neumeier about Nijinksy