Succès de scandale

Succès de scandale is French for "success by scandal", i.e. when (part of) a success derives from a scandal.

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It might seem contradictory that any kind of success might follow from scandal: but scandal attracts attention, and this attention (whether gossip or bad press or any other kind) is sometimes the beginning of notoriety and/or other successes. Today, the often used cynical phrase "no such thing as bad publicity" is indicative of the extent to which "success by scandal" is a part of modern culture.

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The archetypal example of succes de scandale in art is Stravinsky's Sacre du Printemps, which premiered in 1913 by the Ballets Russes. In the high days of the Belle Epoque, the public attending this premiere was so scandalised by the brutal sounds produced by the orchestra and the evocation of a blood sacrifice on stage that it literally tore down the theatre. A shower of bad press and criticism followed, but Stravinsky kept aloof, as if he knew that overnight he had become the most famous composer of the 20th century. He would never have to return to scandalous music again; he moved to chamber music and the neoclassical style for the next few years, nothing that could upset large audiences. From what he said years later - the Sacre du Printemps had eventually been turned into a Disney classic - he appeared certain that none were better than him at exploiting a scandal for success.

Related Topics:
Stravinsky - Sacre du Printemps - Premiere - 1913 - Ballets Russes - Belle Epoque - 20th century - Chamber music - Neoclassical - Disney classic

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