Nijinsky, Waslaw. (1889-1950)
Postcard Photograph
Original postcard photograph of the celebrated dancer in Le Festin. Very slight corner wear; overall in very fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.4 x 13.4 cm).Le Festin, first performed in Paris in 1909, was the first of Diaghilev's ballet divertissements: a revue of various unrelated but picturesque dance numbers. Partly choreographed by Fokine, the dances were set to music by Russian composers including Mussorsky and Tchaikovsky. The second number was titled "L'oiseau d'or" and was danced by Karsavina and Nijinsky; however, it was not the well-known Firebird (which was written for the 1910 season) but rather the Blue Bird and Princess Florine pas de deux, recycled from The Sleeping Beauty.
In Nijinsky: A Life of Genius and Madness, Richard Buckle describes this number on the opening night: "The fantastic costumes of Bakst obligingly turn Karsavina into the bird (whereas it is really the man who is the Blue Bird in Petipa's divertissement) with flaming ostrich feathers on headdress and skirt, and Nijinsky into a turbaned prince with a mustard, lime-green and gold tunic sewn with pearls and topaz. The dazzling choreography creates an immediate impression..." (14992)
Unsigned Photograph Dance