Firebird & Serenade

Firebird, the Russian-Slavic folk tale passed down to children to this day, tells the story of a magical bird made of fire. Ivan, a young and boisterous prince, is granted the help of the bird to overthrow the evil magician Tzar named Kaschie and save the beautiful Princess.

​Originally debuted in Paris’s Palais Garnier by Imperial Russian choreographer Michel Fokine in 1910 with a score by Igor Stravinsky, the dance was considered groundbreaking and exceedingly radical compared to other ballets performed at the time. Yuri Possokhov's sensational production of Firebird is both visually and musically dazzling. Audiences of all ages will no doubt enjoy this most entertaining ballet fairytale.

Serenade is a milestone in the history of dance. It is the first original ballet Balanchine created in America and is one of the signature works of New York City Ballet’s repertory. The ballet is performed by 28 dancers in what are now signature blue costumes in front of a blue-hued background. 

Originating it as a lesson in stage technique, Balanchine worked unexpected rehearsal events into the choreography. When one student fell, he incorporated it. Another day, a student arrived late, and this too became part of the choreography, ultimately reflecting the ebb and flow of the ballet choreographic process. 

Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score is filled with romanticism and hints at classical ballet scores such as Giselle and Swan Lake.

Both Stravinsky's score and Mikhail Fokine's choreography were ground breaking. Fokine shifted from classical ballet towards a more realist and folk-derived style of movement, while Stravinsky incorporated elements of folksong into his music. The role of the Firebird is challenging to dance and mesmerizing to watch - she enters the stage in a flash of movement, and her steps are bold and full of a powerful energy. The strange characters that accompany Kostcheï transform the stage into a spectacular blaze of colour and folkloric detail, and this unique ballet ends with tableau that is as vivid as it is distinctly Russian.