On a May evening in 1913, spectators settled into their seats at the Théatre des Champs-Elysées in Paris to watch the first performance of a new ballet, “The Rite of Spring.”
Everything on stage was different from the classical dance the audience had come to expect.
The dancers’ unusual movements were also accompanied by dissonant (see definition and hear pronunciation below) music, written by a young Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky.
While the show progressed, many in the audience stormed out of the theater and shouted at the dancers and musicians.
Despite the uproar that occurred that night, the music Stravinsky wrote for the ballet is now considered a masterpiece!
Cool word question of the day: Can you think of any other dissonant music that was initially criticized?
Dissonant: Not in agreement; not in harmony; marked by clashing musical sounds.
Click here to hear a pronunciation of dissonant.
We're looking for the coolest of the cool words! Nominate and vote on words. See which ones your friends like best.
>> Winners Circle
Got something important to say? Send us your essays. Your work may be chosen as a guest blog for this website. 
Vote for your favorite word and see which words your friends think are cool!