This Day in History - Controversial ballet Le Sacre du printemps performed in Paris

On the night of May 29, 1913, the Ballet Russes performed Igor Stravinsky's ballet Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) at the Theatre de Champs-Elysees in Paris. Originally titled The Victim, Stravinsky's ballet portrayed a pagan celebration in which a virgin sacrifices herself to the god of spring. Press coverage of the ballet was overwhelmingly negative.

History.com provides details on the context of this ballet in light of the anxiety of the French as Germany grew in strength, which eventually led to World War I barely more than a year later. You can read more at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/controversial-ballet-le-sacre-du-printemps-performed-in-paris