Les Noces

Les Noces is a ballet choreographed by Bronislava Nijinska in 1923 for the Ballets Russes. The ballet draws its theme from the marriage ceremonies of Russian peasants. Nijinska created a stark and heavily weighted style of movement for Les Noces, characterized by few elevations and dancers frequently in crouched or bent positions with their heads low. The dancers were often arranged in large groups, giving an impression of massive shapes and blocks of movement rather than individual bodies. This innovative approach marked a departure from earlier ballet traditions, incorporating modern themes and artistic influences.12