The story of one of the greatest theatrical collaborations: Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, whose team of dancers, choreographers and costume and set designers transformed expectations of what a night in the theatre could be, and the circumstances behind its most notorious stage work of all.
Sandy examines the build up to the premiere in Paris of ‘The Rite of Spring”, takes a look at the original costumes, plays excerpts from this fascinatingly inventive score, and explores what divided opinions of that first night audience quite so dramatically. No, nothing could top the riot at the Rite in 1913……..
After studying music at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and working as music director for the RSC, National Theatre and in London’s West End, Sandy Burnett spent a decade as one of the core team of music presenters on BBC Radio 3. He enjoys a varied career that embraces broadcasting, conducting, playing double bass and communicating his passion for music. His radio series for Ireland’s RTÉ Lyric FM, Great Moments in Classical Music, recently won silver in the Specialist Music category of the PPI Radio Awards. He regularly leads cultural lecture holidays, and is the author of the Idler Guide to Classical Music.