Queensland Symphony Orchestra presents The Rite of Spring with Circa
In 1913, Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du Printemps) premiered in Paris, sparking a cultural scandal that forever changed the course of music and dance. This groundbreaking ballet and orchestral composition, initially met with chaos and outrage, will now be reimagined in Brisbane as part of the 2025 Opening Gala, featuring a unique fusion with the acrobats of world-renowned circus company Circa.
Before The Rite of Spring takes centre stage, Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) will set the mood with two cherished works. First, Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (Afternoon of a Faun), conducted by QSO Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici, will evoke a profound, dreamlike atmosphere. This will be followed by Respighi’s Concerto gregoriano for violin and orchestra, performed by QSO Artist in Residence Kristian Winther, blending Gregorian chant with orchestral elegance.
The History of The Rite of Spring
When Stravinsky composed The Rite of Spring, little did he know that he was creating a work destined to defy conventions. At the time, classical music was steeped in tradition, and Stravinsky sought to break free from these confines while also taking a poke at the prejudices of Parisian aristocrats. Stravinsky, along with composition partner Sergei Diaghilev, were fresh off the success of their ballet The Firebird where they learned that high-society Parisians saw Russians as primitive representatives of a savage and exotic culture. Seeking to exploit this stereotype, Stravinsky engaged Nicholas Roerich, an expert in Russian folktales, and together they wrote a ballet that portrayed a Slavic pagan Spring ritual and sacrifice – akin to Ari Aster’s 2019 horror blockbuster film, Midsommar.
The story of The Rite of Spring begins with the conclusion of Winter and the subsequent emergence of Spring, with woodwind instruments coercing plant life to bloom through thawing ice. Strings, flutes and clarinets imitate wings fluttering and birdsong, announcing the beginning of Spring as the curtain rises and pagan tribesmen gather in the hills, preparing for a sacred ceremony. Folk tunes arise from the horns to announce young maidens arriving from the river, as tension builds throughout the piece when a single maiden is selected. She dances herself to death, symbolising the brutal yet necessary cycle of life and death that governs the natural world. The intensity and primal energy of the music, combined with Nijinsky’s revolutionary choreography, stirred emotions and captured the human experience in a way no other work had before.
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On the night of its premiere, a riot broke out in the theatre as the audience reacted violently to the audacity of Stravinsky’s music and Vaslav Nijinsky’s obscure and loud choreography. The sharp dissonances, irregular rhythms, and complex orchestration were unlike anything audiences had heard before. French socialites on the balcony expecting to see an extravagant and elegant ballet shouted out in protest, while artsy bohemians down below cheered on the show. Despite the uproar, The Rite of Spring quickly cemented itself as one of the 20th century’s most influential works, transforming the landscape of classical music forever and becoming one of the most programmed works in the world.
Musical Excellence meets Acrobatic Mastery
Now, The Rite of Spring will be reimagined for a Queensland-first performance with Circa’s breathtaking acrobats, under the direction of Hermann Award-winner, Yaron Lifschitz. Known for their stunning physical feats and innovative reinterpretations of classical works, Circa will enhance Stravinsky’s masterpiece by adding a new dimension of visual spectacle. The circus performers will bring to life the primal energy and tension of the ballet, blending grace and strength to intensify the music’s dramatic themes of life, death, and ritual not to be missed.
With only three concerts from February 20-22, this reimagining of The Rite of Spring promises to be a monumental event for Brisbane’s cultural calendar in 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this groundbreaking collaboration between Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Circa, as they breathe new life into one of the 20th century’s most important cultural landmarks. Get your tickets now!
