Stravinsky Stories: Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet

With the NAC Orchestra

From Folklore to Fantasy

For Christopher Stowell’s first programmed season as RWB’s new artistic director, he brings us this glorious ode to Stravinsky, the quintessential ballet composer of the 20th century.

In this special evening, Stravinsky’s compositions will be brought to life on stage in two one-act ballets: Firebird, composed in 1910 for Diaghilev's Les Ballets Russes, and The Fairy’s Kiss, composed in 1928 for Les Ballets de Madame Ida Rubinstein. Often described as revolutionary, Stravinsky’s work is difficult to characterize given his chameleon-like ability to constantly change his musical style. From percussive and folkloric, to precise, concise and witty, the rhythmic vitality of his music has cemented him as one of the most beloved composers for dance.

In the spirit of revolutionary artistic endeavours, the RWB has commissioned a new Firebird created by award-wining choreographer on the rise Chicagoan Houston Thomas. And, the extraordinary Alexei Ratmansky is the creative force behind The Fairy’s Kiss, conceived as an allegory about the seductive power of an artist’s muse, originally commissioned by Miami City Ballet in 2017.