Vaslav Nijinsky - Ukrainian Men, Timeline and Facts
Vaslav Nijinsky's Personal Details
Vaslav Nijinsky was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer, considered as the greatest male dancer of the 20th century
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | March 12, 1889 |
| Died on | April 8, 1950 |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Famous | Dancers, Ballet Dancers, Choreographers, Ukrainian Men |
| Spouses | Romola de Pulszky |
| Siblings | Bronislava Nijinska |
| Known as | Нижинский, Вацлав Фомич |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Kiev |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Born in | Kiev |
| Famous as | Ballet Dancer |
| Died at Age | 61 |
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Vaslav Nijinsky's photo
Who is Vaslav Nijinsky?
Vaslav Nijinsky was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer, considered as the greatest male dancer of the 20th century. His expertise and technical perfection earned him popularity and respect within a short career span of nine years. He was among the few male dancers who could perfectly execute the’ en pointe’ technique, which was considered rare in those times. Born into a family of celebrated dancers, he along with his siblings was trained in ballet from a young age. His skill was noticed from childhood, and he was given opportunities to perform with various productions even while pursuing his studies. After completing his graduation from the reputed Imperial Ballet School, Vaslav Nijinsky went on to work with Mariinsky Theatre. However, very soon he met Sergei Diaghilev and became part of his company, the Ballets Russes. Though he initially performed as a lead in performances, he later attempted to choreograph ballet acts by incorporating modern trends. His career was shortened due to his mental instability, diagnosis of schizophrenia and associated travel difficulties. He was admitted to asylum several times between 1919 and 1950.
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Childhood & Early Life
Vaslav Nijinsky was born on 12 March 1889 at Kiev in Ukraine, as the second son of celebrated Polish dancers Thomas Laurentiyevich Nijinsky and Eleonora Bereda. He had a brother Stanislav Fomitch (born in 1886) and sister Bronislava Fominitchna (born in 1891).
In 1900, he joined the Imperial Ballet School and learnt ballet under celebrated ballet dancers Sergei Legat, Nicholas Legat and Enrico Cecchetti.
He earned supporting roles in classical ballets such as ‘Swan Lake’, ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and subsequently he won the Didelot scholarship.
He spent much of his school life away from classrooms as he was chosen to play roles in ballet performances with several productions. This impacted his academic grades negatively.
In 1904, he was given the lead role in Marius Petipa’s last ballet, La Romance d'un Bouton de rose et d'un Papillon. However, the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War that year prevented the ballet from being performed.
In 1906, he performed in the ballet sequence of Mozart's ‘Don Giovanni’ produced by Mariinsky. His skill was much appreciated and he received an offer to be part of the Imperial Ballet Company. As he had a year to complete his education, he chose to continue his studies and stayed back.
He graduated in 1907 and was subsequently offered a career offer with Imperial Ballet Company in a mid-level rank of coryphée unlike the corps de ballet.
Career
Vaslav Nijinsky began his career as coryphée with the Mariinsky theatre in 1907. Though his roles in ballet performances were predominantly minor, he focused on showcasing his skill and technical abilities. In the years that followed, he was given the opportunity to perform solo roles as well.
In 1908, he met Sergei Diaghilev, a Russian art critic and producer of opera, ballet and art exhibitions. This was a turning point in his life. He gradually became good friends with Sergei Diaghilev and his work and career was later managed by Sergei Diaghilev to a large extent.
The following year Sergei Diaghilev organized a tour of Paris with his ballet and dance companies and painters. Vaslav Nijinsky was assigned one of the lead roles and the tour ended as a huge success. His partnership with dancer Tamara Karsavina was well acclaimed.
He performed several acts, which went on to be regarded as his signature performances, such as ‘Cleopatra’, ‘The Feast’ and “Le Pavillon d'Armide”. Between 1907 and 1911, he was also a guest performer at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
In 1910, a fellow ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska opted for him to perform in the revival of Marius Petipa's ‘Le Talisman’. His role as Wind God Vayou earned him much appreciation and popularity.
Upon his return to Mariinsky Theatre, he was dismissed, as he made a stage appearance during his performance in ‘Giselle’ without following the company dress code. However, there were multiple ballet projects arranged by Sergei Diaghilev that were centered on Vaslav Nijinsky.
He portrayed the lead roles of ballet performances in Fokine’s ‘Le Spectre de la Rose’ and Igor Stravinsky's ‘Petrouchka’. His impression of a puppet in the latter earned him much appreciation.
Other than performing ballet, he began choreographing ballet acts that transcended the boundaries of traditional ballet. He attempted to bring in modern elements that were regarded as controversial.
A few of the acts he worked on are ‘L'après-midi d'un faune’ (1912), ‘Jeux’ (1913),’ ‘Le Sacre du Printemps’ (1913) and ‘Till Eulenspiegel’ (1916). The acts were premiered at the Théâtre de Champs-Elysées in Paris and were met with a huge uproar.
In 1913, upon the instructions of Sergei Diaghilev, he went on a tour of South America with the Ballets Russes (an itinerant ballet company based in Paris) troupe. During the journey he met Hungarian countess Romola Pulszky and they became involved in a romantic relationship.
Upon his return to Europe, Vaslav Nijinsky was dismissed from the company by an enraged Sergei Diaghilev. He later attempted to form his own ballet group, but lack of proper administration led to its failure.
In 1914, with the onset of the World War I he was confined to house arrest in Budapest as he was termed as Enemy Russian Citizen. Sergei Diaghilev, who was facing issues with his ballet company post the dismissal of his crowd-pulling artist tried to procure the release of Vaslav Nijinsky and succeeded in 1916.
Vaslav travelled to New York for the American tour of the Ballet Russes in 1916. While on tour he choreographed and performed the main role of the act ‘Till Eulenspiegel’. However, the tour met with several issues with regard to play content and payment.
The American tour of 1916 was followed by an additional tour of the US later that year. However, the organizer Otto Kahn insisted on Vaslav Nijinsky’s involvement as manager and this led to Sergei Diaghilev’s return to Europe leaving his troupe in the U.S. Though Vaslav Nijinsky’s individual performances were praised, his haphazard management resulted in heavy financial loss.
His last performance was in 1917 during a South American tour for the Red Cross with pianist Arthur Rubinstein.
Major Works
Vaslav Nijinsky earned much popularity and appreciation from audience with his versatility and perfection in art. His signature performances include his performances in ‘Ivanotschka’, ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, ’Giselle’ and ‘Chopiniana’.
Personal Life & Legacy
He was married to Hungraian aristocrat Romola de Pulszky in 1913. The couple had two daughters Kyra Nijinsky (born in 1914) and Tamara (born in 1920).
In 1919, he suffered from nervous breakdown and later was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was then committed to Burghölzli and was later transferred to Bellevue Sanatorium. He spent the last 30 years of his life in and out of asylums and psychiatric hospitals.
His wife published the first biography of Vaslav Nijinsky in 1934. The book contained information about his early career and life. Two years later she released a censored version of his diary that he maintained before being committed to asylums.
He died on 8 April 1950, due to kidney failure at London.
In 1952, his wife published a biography of him that shared details of his later life and career.
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Vaslav Nijinsky biography timelines
- // 1900In 1900, he joined the Imperial Ballet School and learnt ballet under celebrated ballet dancers Sergei Legat, Nicholas Legat and Enrico Cecchetti.
- // 1904In 1904, he was given the lead role in Marius Petipa’s last ballet, La Romance d'un Bouton de rose et d'un Papillon. However, the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War that year prevented the ballet from being performed.
- // 1906In 1906, he performed in the ballet sequence of Mozart's ‘Don Giovanni’ produced by Mariinsky. His skill was much appreciated and he received an offer to be part of the Imperial Ballet Company. As he had a year to complete his education, he chose to continue his studies and stayed back.
- // 1907He graduated in 1907 and was subsequently offered a career offer with Imperial Ballet Company in a mid-level rank of coryphée unlike the corps de ballet.
- // 1907Vaslav Nijinsky began his career as coryphée with the Mariinsky theatre in 1907. Though his roles in ballet performances were predominantly minor, he focused on showcasing his skill and technical abilities. In the years that followed, he was given the opportunity to perform solo roles as well.
- // 1907 To 1911He performed several acts, which went on to be regarded as his signature performances, such as ‘Cleopatra’, ‘The Feast’ and “Le Pavillon d'Armide”. Between 1907 and 1911, he was also a guest performer at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
- // 1908In 1908, he met Sergei Diaghilev, a Russian art critic and producer of opera, ballet and art exhibitions. This was a turning point in his life. He gradually became good friends with Sergei Diaghilev and his work and career was later managed by Sergei Diaghilev to a large extent.
- // 1910In 1910, a fellow ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska opted for him to perform in the revival of Marius Petipa's ‘Le Talisman’. His role as Wind God Vayou earned him much appreciation and popularity.
- // 1913In 1913, upon the instructions of Sergei Diaghilev, he went on a tour of South America with the Ballets Russes (an itinerant ballet company based in Paris) troupe. During the journey he met Hungarian countess Romola Pulszky and they became involved in a romantic relationship.
- // 1913He was married to Hungraian aristocrat Romola de Pulszky in 1913. The couple had two daughters Kyra Nijinsky (born in 1914) and Tamara (born in 1920).
- // 1914 To 1916In 1914, with the onset of the World War I he was confined to house arrest in Budapest as he was termed as Enemy Russian Citizen. Sergei Diaghilev, who was facing issues with his ballet company post the dismissal of his crowd-pulling artist tried to procure the release of Vaslav Nijinsky and succeeded in 1916.
- // 1916Vaslav travelled to New York for the American tour of the Ballet Russes in 1916. While on tour he choreographed and performed the main role of the act ‘Till Eulenspiegel’. However, the tour met with several issues with regard to play content and payment.
- // 1916The American tour of 1916 was followed by an additional tour of the US later that year. However, the organizer Otto Kahn insisted on Vaslav Nijinsky’s involvement as manager and this led to Sergei Diaghilev’s return to Europe leaving his troupe in the U.S. Though Vaslav Nijinsky’s individual performances were praised, his haphazard management resulted in heavy financial loss.
- // 1917His last performance was in 1917 during a South American tour for the Red Cross with pianist Arthur Rubinstein.
- // 1919In 1919, he suffered from nervous breakdown and later was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was then committed to Burghölzli and was later transferred to Bellevue Sanatorium. He spent the last 30 years of his life in and out of asylums and psychiatric hospitals.
- // 1934His wife published the first biography of Vaslav Nijinsky in 1934. The book contained information about his early career and life. Two years later she released a censored version of his diary that he maintained before being committed to asylums.
- // 8th Apr 1950He died on 8 April 1950, due to kidney failure at London.
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Vaslav Nijinsky's FAQ
What is Vaslav Nijinsky birthday?
Vaslav Nijinsky was born at 1889-03-12
When was Vaslav Nijinsky died?
Vaslav Nijinsky was died at 1950-04-08
Where was Vaslav Nijinsky died?
Vaslav Nijinsky was died in London
Which age was Vaslav Nijinsky died?
Vaslav Nijinsky was died at age 61
Where is Vaslav Nijinsky's birth place?
Vaslav Nijinsky was born in Kiev
What is Vaslav Nijinsky nationalities?
Vaslav Nijinsky's nationalities is Ukrainian
Who is Vaslav Nijinsky spouses?
Vaslav Nijinsky's spouses is Romola de Pulszky
Who is Vaslav Nijinsky siblings?
Vaslav Nijinsky's siblings is Bronislava Nijinska
What was Vaslav Nijinsky universities?
Vaslav Nijinsky studied at Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet
What is Vaslav Nijinsky's sun sign?
Vaslav Nijinsky is Pisces
How famous is Vaslav Nijinsky?
Vaslav Nijinsky is famouse as Ballet Dancer