New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-30
Nijinsky, as Final Boon to
Admirers, Dances at
Two Performances.
HOUSE CROWDED AT
MATINEE AND NIGHT
Mile. Flora Ravelles Came Sec
ond in Artistic Honors in
Diaghileff's Company.

The season Of the Diaghilef Russian
Ballet came TO an end yesterday with
the two performances at the Metropoli-
tan Opera House Warsaw Nijinsky,
a a final boon 10 the New York public,
graciously consented TO appear at both,
dancing in lie Spectre de la Rose" in
the afternoon and in ia Princesse En-
chante" and "Scheherazade" in the
evening. The other ballets were, for
the matinee, cleopatra" and "Thamar,'
and for the evening, "Les Sylphides'
and "Soleil de Mutt Huge audiences
we're attendant at both performances,
there was much applause and consid-
cradle real enthusiasm. II the first
three weeks Of the Metropolitan en-
eagement had reused little popular in
terest, the final week showed that the
public was at last interested. Proba-
bly, the advent Of Mr.. Nijinsky was not
unconnected with the phenomenon.
During the post-operatic weeks the
Metropolitan Opera House housed per-
formances of twelve different ballets,
Of which three, cleopatra" "Thamar
and "Narcisse." were new 10 New York
lies Sylphides," "Le Spectre de la
Rose" "Soleil de Mutt" and "Schehera-
zade" received eleven performances;
"Petrouchka," Cleopatra "L'Oiseau
de Feu," prince Igor" and "Carna-
val" nine; "Thamar," six; La Prin-
cesse Enchante," five, and "Narcisse'
two. Mr.. Nijinsky during the two weeks
Of his engagement appeared in Les
Sylphides." "Petrouchka," lie Spectre
de la Rose" "Carnaval,' "Schehera-
zade." LA Princess Enchante" and
"Narcisse.' so that the public had an
opportunity OF seeing him in wide
variety of parts. even though much re-
sentiment was caused among the regu-
lar subscribers by the fact that many
of his appearances were at non-sup-
scription performances. However inns
NAV be. his arrival gave final lustre
TO the season and atoned partially for
many previous disappointments.
Niiinsky a Great Dancer.
Mr.. Niiinsky Yesterday proved hlm-
self AGAIN the one really remarkable
dancer belonging 20 the Diaghilef or
ranization. lie is not, perhaps. as
supple as he was seven years ago, when
he took Paris by storm, but ne is sun
really wonderful artist. both as
classic dancer pure and simple ana as
an impersonator. He possesses inueeu'
remarkable legs. but he possesses even
ms
control is a marvel of perfection, ms
agility is stupendous, but. botn are al,
WAYS controlled by keen intellect ana
n sense Of artistic fitness. Mr. Nlllnsky'
neither i'm face nor in figure, IS the
Adonis that was Mkael Mordklne, nor
has he Mordkine's virility and feelng
of iubulant youth. but as pure dancer
and in most respects as an lmpersoh-
ator he passes beyond him.
Mardkine in the "Bachanali." and IN
the Bow and Arrow Dance, was Greek
god. returned 10 earth, and Mr.. Nlllh-
skv did we'll not TO attempt 10 rival him
here; but in "Petrouchelea, or Le
Spectre de la Rose" 1t would be dlih-
cult 10 ignore his rival as his equal
So il would be a thankless task 10 az
tempt to determine which IS the greater
artist Let US be thankful that we have
Seen both. Those wonderful nights
vben Anna Pavlowa and Mikeal Mord-
kline danced the "Bacchanale' were
Olvmnhian nights, indeed, How much
was the triumph of Pavlowa and how
much that of Mordkine we probably
never will be able to tell. Would that
Niiinsky had brought 10 us a Paviowa
for his partner!
Second in Artistic HonOrs.
OF the other members OF the Diaglleh
connauv. Mile Flora Ravelles made
deem impression as a pantomimlst IN
"Schehwzode,' in Cleopatra ana IN
"Tbanar." and next TO Mr.. Niynsky
carried off the artistic honors. MISS
lydia Lopokova is charming ana
graceful little premiere. and AdoIph
Bolm and Leonard Massin, two char
actor dancers of no mean order. Be
vond these artists the company IS sus-
ceptible of considerable Improvement
before il attains the standard 1t set IN
PARIS and London. Much OF the seen,
erv and all Of the costumes were real
delight though possibly Bakst and his
nupls may not wear as well as the
FIRST splendour Of their colors intimat-
ed. After all futurlsm IS sometimes,
largely for the present, the future will
take care Of itself
One thing is certain. the Russian
Ballet has stimulated imagination and
caused endless discussion. To those
gentlemen who made II possible we owe
endless gratitude. II may not be the
art work of the future but 1t is GER
tainlv an art work Of the present.