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THE NEW PHASE only merit of Le Sacre du Printemps its claim to attention would indeed be limited. It displays, however, technical features of no inferior interest, some of which are also of first-class importance in the evolution of the ballet.

Hitherto, swiftness and lightness have been regarded as prime necessities in the modern ballet. The ability of dancers has been estimated according to their excellence in these respects, and the more the eyes of the spectators have been dazzled the more, it would seem, have they been pleased. Jeux and the Faune both showed that there were other possibilities in the dance, and now Le Sacre du Printemps conclusively contradicts all old ideas as to the importance of those qualities which were previously held to be essential.

For such movement as there is in this 95