Primitive Mysteries is a modern dance work choreographed by Martha Graham to music by Louis Horst.
From the first performance, critics hailed the ballet as a masterpiece and acknowledged Graham's rising role as a major force in American dance.
[6] When the ballet was revived in 1999, Graham provided further insight, saying the work was not intended to represent adorants worshiping The Virgin, but as a ceremonial rite of initiation celebrating the figure through one of their own.
She also revealed the inspiration for her diaphanous organdy costume as the night-blooming Cereus that flowered outside her Santa Barbara window.
[9][10] Others who have appeared as the Virgin Mary include Takako Asakawa,[4] Christine Dakin[11] and Terese Capucilli.