The Rite of Spring in rehearsal (The Royal Ballet)

In 1962, a 20-year-old Monica Mason was plucked from the corps de ballet to dance The Chosen One in Kenneth MacMillan's The Rite of Spring. In 2013, a 20-year-old Claudia Dean finds herself in the same situation.
Watch Monica and Claudia explore the final solo from the ballet which sees The Chosen One dance herself to death.
With pianists Rob Clark and Philip Cornfield

[@RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[@lilysticha7564]

To those of you who don’t know what the story is about, let me tell you, The ballet choreography by Nijinsky and the piece that goes along with it by Igor Stravinsky takes place in ancient pagan Russia, during the coming of spring the people perform a ritual in order to honor the earth and in honor of spring the ballet begins with a series of dances each by a different group a people. The ballet then ends with the sacrificial dance which you see here where young girls perform this dance and the first one who falls is “the chosen one” she is then forced to dance herself to her death as a sacrifice to the earth and to their Gods in order to have a good spring. Both the music and dancing are meant to be intense and to make people feel a bit uncomfortable, in fact at the time it was written it actually caused riots because it was considered “unorthodox” and dramatically different from the orderly often religious music that was common at the time.

[@David-pt8ge]

This is choreography by Kenneth Macmillan.

[@samanthapuleo7812]

In my opinion this is one of the best pieces in classical music both instrumentally and in performance I think it’s conceptually phenomenal

[@David-pt8ge]

@@samanthapuleo7812 Of course, it has to be one of the greatest pieces of classical music from the last century.

[@harlowitter3060]

Yeah, I watched the Ted Ed video on it and it was pretty cool.

[@sarahlane8214]

@@David-pt8ge yes, but the original ballet was choreographed back in 1913 by Nijinsky, this is new choreo with the same story. I think that's what OP meant

[@madeline2282]

4:36 god even the page turn is impressive

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

Madeline Rose haha 😂 😂😂 You are right 🤣👍

[@jd233joel4]

Omg

[@esteeeela]

Hahahahahaha

[@ginaferrara4230]

It’s really nuts that Claudia wasn’t promoted after this performance. Especially since there are so many ranks in the Royal Ballet. I think she really did deserve it. Luckily she gets to dance every day teaching her students, has an amazing personality, and makes a ton of money doing it! Good for her.

[@zixiong681]

wasnt she already a principal dancer here? you’d only really dance this if you were a principal, and she made a video on her channel saying that this was her first performance as a principal dancer

[@ginaferrara4230]

@@zixiong681 nah, she was just dancing a principal role. Some companies allow their corps members to do this if they feel they have potential. Unfortunately Claudia was not given the promotion she deserved!

[@susannevollmer2347]

She dont became a solist after this? That is unbeleavable!

[@scarletbailey6086]

@@zixiong681 at 0:37 it says Artist

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

@@susannevollmer2347 no, she was an artist, that’s the lowest rank in the corps de ballet 🩰

[@cynthiazhang]

Who else came here after watching her react to this?

[@leeminchew]

Meh

[@victuuria8752]

Cyncyn Z YESSS

[@lucamolinas6691]

Meeeeeeeeeeeee😊

[@samanthapuleo7812]

To be honest I’d prefer watching this then hearing her interrupt it 4000000000 times

[@harlowitter3060]

I'm here after the Ted Ed video

[@ddazuulada]

I wish there were more videos of Claudia's rehearsals or performances. I've only discovered her through her channel and I think she's just remarkable and a wonderful dancer!

[@elodiemoore7448]

Now knowing that this girl's cheography is about her dancing herself to death, I am seeing it in a different way and it's sending chills down my spine. I'm not sure why but I'm now finding it much scarier than something you would see in a horror movie maybe? But this is breathtaking! It's videos like these that inspire me to want to become the best I can at ballet as I am now grade 3. I applaud!

[@nancyforbes6887]

Not her choreography. It belongs to the great Russian ballet dancer, Vaslav Nijinsky, written and dances for Stravinsky’s 1913 « Rite of Spring ». That what makes genius.

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

Nancy Forbes this is not the Nijinsky choreo, it’s Keith McMillan 😉

[@yanatarkhaeva]

The original choreography was by Vaslav Nijinsky. Just if someone will be confused over this convo. But this one -- yes, that's Keith McMillan's work :3

[@dinkvjr]

In 8 hours she learned and perfected that!! 8 hours! Respect! Sad that she doesn't dance any more but I'm sure she's already danced a lifetime in her time. Not to mention dancers normally put everything aside.. EVERYTHING. A new book for her to write. Good Luck Claudia! Thanks for the great videos!!! 😍

[@eleanorgilroy2403]

Cristie Brewer it was actually less - 8 with the whole company on other section and simply 4 on this dance. Astounding!!

[@arielburrow9433]

Those counts really be wildin

[@chelsearose86]

I love the pride in Monicas face watching Claudia

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

Chelsea Rose me too, and it’s so sad that Claudia didn’t get promoted 😢

[@Angelaius]

@@mathildewesendonck7225 this is why she left the company ?

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

Lucia Ambrogio she has a video on her channel where she explains it. She is so humble and polite and professional, she doesn‘t say it, but she must have been really disappointed or frustrated. And maybe also homesick. 😢 It‘s hard to believe, she’s sooo good and talented, and Monica Mason seems to love her.

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

Lucia Ambrogio kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpbHfnyqqK-jl68

[@Angelaius]

@@mathildewesendonck7225 Than you I check out. I follow hear long ago. ☝️ but never was clear why she left. I think wasnt easy losing a mom and being far apart from family.

[@GG-gw6zy]

I love how this choreography includes the exhaustion. Well done!

[@heartsdeprived]

As someone who has no ballet background and with only a love for dance, I found this movement very... odd. It was almost ugly how chaotic it was. But as I kept watching, it was almost as if she was casting a spell and I couldn't look away. I needed to see the end. I knew that technically this was a very difficult piece, but the way she made it look almost effortless was astounding. Simply magnificent how manic and enrapturing it was.

[@pheart2381]

heartsdeprived when rite of spring was first performed the audience rioted because they hated it. Now a classic!

[@nocheg8137]

Can't tell if that was a compliment

[@shhhh6174]

The rite of spring is about a sacrificial virgin dancing herself to death. Literally. Its supposed to be frantic and wild.

[@chroniclesofcarissa]

Coming from a dancer. It's very much a mixture of contemporary and just a hint of modern. I keep wanting more modern movements with this cause that's what it reminds me of. So I keep saying in my head, contract more and really go for the movement, don't be so rigid. I forget that she's mainly a ballet dancer so this type of movement is so much harder for her. It's very complex and that's what makes me love this choreography!!!

[@miafitzhugh756]

chroniclesofcarissa yeah she actually made a video reacting to this a while ago and that's one of the main things she said-that she wished she had really gone for it. her video is really interesting, i recommend giving it a watch!

[@bubblpopz]

My friend actually told me (shes in my schools orchestra) that they were playing pieces from this ballet, and that it was a dark drama about a girl who basically danced to death against her will, maybe that explains the puppet actions and awkward movements but so amazing. :)

[@rebeccamcelroy1000]

Your SCHOOL orchestra was playing the Rite Of Spring? Wow. It's known as one of the most difficult pieces in the orchestral repertoire.... your school must be really good for music.

[@ckrause81]

That's exactly what she is doing in this piece. She is dying and then dies at the very end. It's an incredible piece to watch and extremley, extremely difficult to dance. Stunning!

[@heyryanisonx3141]

That sounds more like the Red Shoes

[@harlowitter3060]

Yup

[@justgiules]

The Rite of Spring ballet revolves around the return of spring and the renewal of the Earth through the sacrifice of a virgin chosen to dance herself to death so spring would return the next year.

[@islandhorsetaker]

Claudia Dean is amazing and she's very talented. It's sad that she's quitting ballet but of course it's her decision. Every one should do what makes them happy. Good luck to Claudia in the new chapter of her life :)

[@SmittenKitten.]

I know you posted this 3 years ago, but Claudia Dean now does coaching, and she has her own KZbin channel (which is a great source of information for young dancers). She seems to be happy and doing well!

[@theabrasileno1921]

islandhorsetaker i've just seen this video today. May I ask, why she quit the company?

[@vanessakim6890]

Thea Brasileno She has a video on it :)

[@pheart2381]

Vanessa Murnane she made a youtube video explaining this.

[@islandhorsetaker]

I suggest you watch her video on it, it's quite emotional. I'm subscribed to her channel, she does amazing work there and seems to be happy, I love it!

[@personalprivate7647]

Visceral is her rhythmic precision,..she lands and or jumps RIGHT fromthe middlfe ofthe beat. The pianists are awesome....i feel my stomach in delicious knots of life

[@Glimdaya]

Gosh she has to remember so many steps

[@deen48]

Absolutely breathtaking. I have seen the ballet several times and it's exhausting to watch, fascinating and beautiful. We had the beginning played at our wedding. My father, Reginald Barker, was principal percussion at the ROH for some 25 years (he died in 1987) and I watched him play it under Solti at The Usher Hall in Edinburgh. I guess I was probably about 16 at the time. Around 1960 I guess. Magical.

[@RoyalBalletAndOpera]

What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing.

[@gabooper]

If this looks weird to me now, I can only imagine how confused people must have been when this ballet first premiered..

[@atuljha6128]

Well they did r i o t.

[@josephrouleau9259]

This is pretty odd in its own right, but the original Njinsky choreography that the rioting audience would have seen, looked like more like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apTSdoaVms5nhrc

[@NicoleVanzo]

I'm absolutely mesmerized. At first the dance seemed so odd, but as it continues it's like I'm under a spell, just want to keep watching it over and over again! Watched 3 times in a row and it is forever on my favorites. Monica looks at Claudia with so much pride that fills my heart with warmth!! Claudia is a fabulous, spectacular ballerina. Wish I could have watched her live.

[@anonymouslyanonymous5987]

Accompanist is the most under-appreciated occupation ever. The accompanists are also very incredible.

[@virginiaviola5097]

Thank you, thank you! I just got my head bitten off by a bunch of young dancers for asking them to show some appreciation for the piano player too, in the comments section of a dance solo from some new tv show..and how important they were to rehearsals, as much a part of the whole, and also pretty mental and physical work....it was Schumann’s Arabesque. And they tore me down. Accompanists are so relied upon to just come in, do their job...but they themselves have put in years of training to get to that level, and also started very young, just like the dancers. It’s so nice to see them get a shoutout.

[@heidibaltom8138]

The fact that when this was first choreographed audiences hated it and walked out and pretty much rioted makes this even more wonderful. I csnt imagine how the dancers felt back then as they were dancing this. And bless Claudia she makes it look effortless. Yes you can tell she was tired but holy moly its difficult anyone who dancea it would be dead after i even heard dancers would vomit after this piece its that difficult. And the timing ia all over the place. Its just such a wonderful piece.

[@astute1001]

the choreography at that premier was very different

[@amazingtoad7244]

The original choreography is far less ballet and far more gritty and impulsive and random

[@aaliyahmichael8853]

Why did they walk out and riot ?

[@SukLengWong]

Monica looks so proud of Claudia Dean! She was absolutely AMAZING!

[@Got2Bespoke]

@@hwntwww can you elaborate on that? I don’t know the story.

[@hwntwww]

@@Got2Bespoke mistake/deleted

[@susancerezo401]

I can imagine!!!!!!!!!! I watched Monica Mason rehearse and perform that wonderful choreography several times. Quite extraordinary !Georg Solti conducting...memories of the dancers counting out the difficult rythms out loud. Had a glorious chance to work 6 months in Covent Garden, and working with the Australian artist Sidney Nolan, we painted those costumes.....! I well understand Monica Mason's pride....... Glorious memories !!!!!! Thank you !!!!!!!!❤❤❤🌹

[@lizidizzy]

It's such an extraordinary piece, I simply can't stop watching it. Kenneth Macmillan was a genius and Claudia Dean (the dancer here) is no less than a phenomenon. Bravo.

[@mickymerriman1962]

lizidizzy juju

[@zebmiller510]

“we’ll go straight from bum bum bum bum bum bum” kills me EVERY TIME

[@sandyg.3454]

Wow!!! Bravo to this young dancer, Claudia Dean! This ballet makes dancers use their whole body in usual ways and is truly physically demanding!🌺🌺👏🏽👏🏽

[@stephaniecruvant9130]

Love it!! The moves are so intertwined with the music. The choreo is so incredibly physically demanding.. Unreal stamina!!

[@sylviahalo]

She’s amazing in this role. Her jumps are so powerful and long and full, even in fast sections with unusual musical accents. Her musicality and athleticism fill the counts perfectly.

[@isaacfiedler668]

I am a musician, and I love how much dissonance there is in the song which complements her moves sooooo well. 😊

[@empathandy__5722]

No biggie, I’m pretty sure I can master the move @ 5:49

[@nummysmom]

hahahahahaha

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

I can even perform 7.05 h

[@karensantos5421]

Empath Andrina That’s my favorite part! Hahaha!! 😂

[@tornelysian]

That got a good chuckle out of me! 😂💜

[@dinkvjr]

😂 😂 😂

[@lalou0001]

I bursted out in tears at the end. It feels so real and full of emotions ! Well done !

[@robertodilizio6225]

2:53 Tried to jump like her. Lost ten years of my life. Awesome Claudia! :)

[@esarfmij]

breathtaking. Cold chills and pure wonder filled me as I watched Ms. Mason perform . . . I look forward to seeing the whole production

[@JordanJSparks]

OMG I JUST REALIZED I KNEW AND WATCHED CLAUDIA DANCE BEFORE HER KZbin CHANNEL!!!! I didn't realize this was her!

[@jabrown1978]

Rite of Spring is one of my all time musical pieces. I even named my dog Stravinsky lol, we call him Strav for short.

[@suanne_lily]

Rob Clark and Philip Cornfield are so theatrically brilliant and expressive on the piano!

[@kimhaas7586]

I never get tired of watching Claudia dance this piece. It’s so percussive and she’s so quick. It’s a shame that she felt she had no future at the Royal Ballet because she sure had the stamina for principal roles after this.

[@suanne_lily]

Liking this video because of the superb piano playing ;)

[@rnhtube]

Wow this is my favorite choreography for the danse sacrale I've ever seen. I wish I could see the whole performance

[@jeanienguyen1543]

omg and now she is a coach and even has her own youtube channel!!

[@Ana_DFM]

I saw this video was around but never really watched it and a few days ago I decided to do it and I can't stop... Claudia Dean was amazing and even Monica Mason. I didn't need to know about this ballet to know what this dance was about

[@minissa2009]

I've been wanting to see Sir Ken's version of this since I noticed its description (and Monica's photos) in a program from the company's tour to the US in maybe 1964 and I thought all the ballets listed in the program were all the ballets in the entire world! Thx so much for letting me see at least this much with Monica coaching.

[@robinavalyn9513]

Fantastic! Very well done with exquisite & evocative choreography. Thanx for sharing this.

[@kaffraraffin3574]

I have seen this production and I can only say, everyone should see it!

[@pheart2381]

CLAUDIA!!!

[@arnoldpenuel8857]

This was so well done, so perfect, so interesting!

[@GabrielH-W]

I love this ballet! It’s so intriguing and scary, but in a good way. 🙂

[@Endonia-ym3sl]

Fun fact. The first performance of this ballet was apparently so shocking that it caused a riot within the audience.

[@elha1562]

This is amazing. I love seeing younger dancers have some spotlight

[@venusharuna4187]

Me: I could do that also me: **somehow falls while sitting in a chair**

[@alma_najem]

The fact that it takes two people one one piano

[@Jolanda27]

Wow! And the coach is so lovely too!

[@emilynelson9174]

Starting at 5:48; I like how this may follow in the narrative of the ballet...taking a rest before the chosen one's final wind

[@AnnapurnaMoffatt]

I watched a video of the whole ballet a few months ago, and I, too, found the choreography weird: it's a ballet, yet it doesn't feel like one. Even a hundred years after "The Rite of Spring" premiered, it's still miles ahead of it's time.

[@tillie_brn]

The fact that she's my age is... baffling... like... what even

[@zixiong681]

the storyline of this is absolutely breathtaking and also somewhat terrifying. This is basically a girl dancing to her death- I find this much more entertaining and thrilling than regular movies.

[@NolwennPIANO]

Wonderful Monica Mason...

[@istankpop3876]

Nolwenn Collet This is Claudia Dean...

[@TurboBinch]

istankpop Monica is coaching

[@vaslav030547]

It is a very unique piece created by genius.

[@RONIDC1979]

been watchin this girl since prix de lausanne. lover her face very striking just like madame mason. would love to see her cupid in don q or balenchines who cares (the jumping girl) the white cat in sleeping beauty etc..

[@BallerinaBadass]

Do you have footage of Monica Mason doing this part? I get the feeling she is magnificent in the role. Also, is it meant to be performed with or without feeling/emotion?

[@RoyalBalletAndOpera]

+Ballerina Badass I don't believe her performances were filmed, but there are some stills of her in the role e.g. nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn4463950 and www.kennethmacmillan.com/ballets/all-works/1960-1966/the-rite-of-spring.html

[@BallerinaBadass]

+Royal Opera House Thank you! I also found the interviews with Monica - I'll watch to see what she says about how to approach the role emotionally - she is amazing!!!

[@BallerinaBadass]

Royal Opera House that review/historical essay link you sent me is excellent - it seems like, from watching Monica Mason in your videos, she has an innate sense of style and impeccable timing - it is so much fun to observe her in rehearsals! Thank you for sending this info. I have a new role to add to my wishlist of ballets to perform :)

[@kimpoirier236]

Very, very late response, but Nijinsky himself actually requested his dancers not act/not dramatize their roles. He assured them they simply didn't have to, since the story was all in the choreography.

[@TurboBinch]

Ballerina Badass late response, but a video of an interview with Monica (on this channel) does have video of her dancing the role

[@littleoldlady6526]

Is anybody else listening to those counts?

[@susannevollmer2347]

Claudia Dean is outstanding! Such a talent!

[@Tuntee]

I love these videos, thank you.

[@suanne_lily]

Macmillan's choreography brilliant too, but I still prefer Nijinsky's original ~ absolutely chilling and eerie. Revolutionary till this day, although it's been over a century since its 1913 premiere.

[@louiseparker1915]

This dancer is absolutely amazing!!

[@Pureheart2heart]

that was just amazing....!

[@PowderSpirit3]

This is going to be awesome I can feel it while the Teacher speaks. WoW !! I need to go to YT and save it! Goodness how good and what did they say, she learned this in 8hrs? Doesnt matter how long she has TALENT!!! Thx for sharing *****

[@gilldocherty3802]

Wow totally incredible

[@GoldenDanceShoes]

Magnificent!! ♥️

[@skytheterrible5087]

Not my favorite contemporary piece, but I will give her props for finishing this 5 minute solo!

[@helenmclennan667]

Fantastic!

[@porcelaindollscene]

Wow ~ so beautiful & intense.

[@brendonhansford]

Really love what you are doing….. 😁

[@cierraevans144]

The dancer is Claudia Dean. She has a channel if you're interested.

[@ciprianramirez]

Sorprendente,extraordinaria.unica.

[@agnieszkaromek2670]

bravo, evryone should see that

[@noeliagarrigos9550]

congrats claudia! amazing!!

[@winniecantonese]

that is such a long dancing with so many different steps and combinations ....I would like to know any tips for memorizing the sequence of all the steps....for me, I am so bad in remember the combination 😣

[@nataliaivanescu4690]

Amaezing work verry musical nice choré .i liked

[@PeaceLvNCookies]

I'm not a fan of this choreography but the dancer is astounding

[@hatred9427]

that is the piece that got me into ballet, and this is scary knowing what it's about.

[@commonvegetable]

me: finds video by chance ... OBSYAAMJQGWBWJDJ ITS CLAUDIA

[@prezdabeast6264]

i really get the sense more from this than from the nijinsky choreo that this is a woman dancing herself TO DEATH, bravo bravo bravo

[@Rowenagander]

amazing

[@DieFlabbergast]

Debussy apparently sight-read this score and played it with Stravinsky. That gives you some idea of what a fantastic pianist he was.

[@devilmaycry1337]

Beautiful! :)

[@thebabymomo2709]

First time I saw a video of rite of spring I was so scared and petrified. I think I was around 15 lmao

[@nancyforbes6887]

Creative, but if you study her movements, it is true to the original spirit of Nijinsky. Choppy, angular, disturbing, and in the end, the movements of a woman who possessed, and is dancing herself to death.

[@rebahsol]

The ballet actually premiered in 1913, I believe.

[@matinasmith1973]

I was expecting the Joffrey Ballet choreography, but I do like this choreography too.

[@marticosta]

prefer Nijinski's choreography but brava!

[@daniix07]

this still too classic/ Neo Classic. Nijinski, Graham and Pina's are the best

[@nia_nah]

Spellbinding!!

[@sylviekarow3828]

amazing claudia dean!

[@dominiquepeytraud406]

Brava Claudia!amazing

[@anastasiabananastasia]

I love Claudia !!!!

[@1veggiemonster]

Nijinsky seems to be back in season....

[@lalalalala9451]

after knowing the story of what’s happening in this dance it scares the shit out of me😭

[@vaslav030547]

This wasn't working for me. Gave it 6mins 24secs. Sorry. I know it's bloody hard to try and paint a masterpiece from the original. This didn't hack it..It does take a little more than nine hours though in fairness. No Bom Bom BomBomBom beat or rytham.

[@yanyuet]

I wish she continued professionally a little longer

[@John_oR.]

I would be cool if any of the companies today did the original choreography

[@tamaraventer4207]

Is it just me or does she look like Claudia’s little sister rather than actually her? I watch her videos now, and she looks so different!

[@Simplenotion]

she doesn't keep it a secret that she has had some work done ;-)

[@bondfool]

This looks like the video for Start Me Up.