The Firebird Ballet

April 14, 2008

Time:26^th May, 2008 19:30
Venue: Hangzhou Grand Theatre杭州大剧院, Concert Hall, No.66 Zhijiang East Rd. 杭州市江干区之江东路 66号
Ticket: Rmb 680(VIP)/480/380/280/180/80 Rmb
Tel: 0571-86855118
Troupe: San Jose Ballet Troupe, USA

The Firebird is a 1910 ballet by Igor Stravinsky and choreographed by Michel Fokine. The ballet is based on Russian folk tales of the magical glowing bird of the same name that is both a blessing and a curse to its captor.

The music was premiered as a ballet by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in Paris on 25 June 1910 conducted by Gabriel Pierné.[1] It was the first of their productions with music specially composed for them. Originally the music was to have been written by Russian composer Anatol Liadov (1855-1914); but when he was slow in starting work, Diaghilev transferred the commission to the 28-year old Stravinsky. The ballet has historic significance not only as Stravinsky’s ‘breakthrough piece’ ("Mark him well", said Diaghilev to Tamara Karsavina, who was dancing the title role: "He is a man on the eve of celebrity…"), but also as the beginning of the collaboration between Diaghilev and Stravinsky that would also produce Petrushka and The Rite of Spring.

The ballet was staged by George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet in 1949 with Maria Tallchief as the Firebird with scenery and costumes by Marc Chagall, and was performed in repertory until 1965. The ballet was restaged by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins in 1970 for the New York City Ballet with new scenery and Karinska costumes for the 1972 Stravinsky Festival that introduced Gelsey Kirkland as the Firebird.

Danced to a groundbreaking score by Igor Stravinsky, this Russian fairy tale tells of a prince who captures the mysterious Firebird. To gain her release, the Firebird gives the prince a feather, with the promise of her magic intercession if he should ever need it. Little does he realize how soon he will have to call on her, and how many people she will be asked to save from the monstrous ruler of the enchanted forest, The Immortal Kastchei. When Dennis Nahat’s version of the classic story had its world premiere in October, 2005 it won rave reviews and audience acclaim. With three-dimensional scenery and dynamic costumes by Ian Falconer that range from the beautiful to the ghoulish, this FIREBIRD will wow adults and children alike with its passion, its drama and its magic.

Written by Pipi · Filed Under Events