Enrico Cecchetti as the Evil Wizard Kostchei in the "Firebird." (1910). Library of Congress Collection.

Enrico Cecchetti's presence in Diaghilev's Ballets Russes was very important. He maintained the technical level of the dancers through his daily classes, enabling the dancers to cope with the physical and dramatic challenges of the company's demanding choreographers. He created a ballet technique still popular with ballet teachers today, known as the Cecchetti method.

 

The Firebird [L'Oiseau de Feu] premiered in Paris on June 25, 1910, and it was revived in London on November 25, 1926. The choreography was by Michel Fokine. Designs for the 1910 premiere were by Aleksandr Golovin and Leon Bakst. Natalia Goncharova did the design for the 1926 revival.

 

The Firebird is based on a Russian folk tale. Prince Ivan climbs into the garden of the evil wizard Kostchei during a night-time hunt near Kostchei’s castle. Ivan surprises and captures the enchanted Firebird who is half woman and half bird. Ivan agrees to release her in exchange for one of her feathers and a pledge that she will come to his aid if he ever needs it. Twelve young princesses enslaved by Kostchei come into the garden and revel in their one hour of freedom each dawn. Ivan is entranced by Tsarevna, one of the princesses. On her return to the castle, he attempts to follow her through the castle gates when Kostchei’s evil followers attack him. Ivan confronts the wizard who tries to turn him into stone but Ivan remembers the Firebird’s feather which he brandishes to bring her forth. The Firebird forces them all to dance till they are exhausted. Together Ivan and the Firebird destroy Kostchei and his followers. The ballet ends with an extravagant wedding, where Prince Ivan marries Tsarevna and is crowned king.

 

If you would like to view the ballet, you’re in luck. Two fine productions of the Firebird are on Youtube, one by the Kirov and the other by the Royal Ballet.

 

Kirov Ballet

 

Part 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6YGQdTWn_E

 

Part 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds2NKFsSzIw

 

Part 3: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2CoYv6koMU

 

Part 4: www.youtube.com/watch?v=howmtJqlzbg

 

 

Royal Ballet, 2001

 

Part 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8fURctDHhE

 

Part 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=no2aPVEe0mA

 

Part 3: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9F9xEsFris

 

Part 4: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOg5Q9fcHGo

 

Part 5: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxisXNdnRiA

 

Part 6: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCLIt40fZn8

 

Done