Russian dancer and choreographer. Noted for his powerful but graceful technique, he was a legendary member of
Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, for whom he choreographed Debussy's
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (1912) and
Jeux (1913), and Stravinsky's
Le Sacre du printemps/The Rite of Spring (1913).
Nijinsky also took lead roles in ballets such as
Petrushka (1911). He rejected conventional forms of classical ballet in favour of free expression. His sister was the choreographer Bronislava Nijinska.
© RM 2012. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.