The Afternoon of a Faun is a ballet choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky for the Ballets Russes, and was first performed in the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on 29 May 1912. Nijinsky danced the main part h
Programme illustration by Léon Bakst for the ballet
Menelaus intending to strike Helen is struck by her beauty instead. Louvre museum, Campana collection acquired 1861
A design by Léon Bakst for the stage setting
The Faun locks arms with the nymph
Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune, known in English as Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, is a symphonic poem for orchestra by Claude Debussy, approximately 10 minutes in duration. It was composed in
Afternoon of a Faun (Nijinsky)
…performed in the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on 29 May 1912. Nijinsky danced the main part himself. The ballet is set to Claude Debussy's symphonic poem Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune. Both the music and the ballet were inspired by the poem L'Après-midi d'un faune by Stéphane Mallarmé. The costumes, sets and programme illustrations…
Claude Debussy in 1905