The highlight of the Indianapolis Ballet’s February debut performance series will be the premiere of Founding Artistic Director Victoria Lyras’ production of The Firebird. Based on classic Russian folktales, The Firebird was first created as a ballet in 1910 by the legendary Ballet Russes choreographer Michel Fokine. Since then many major ballet companies have staged productions of the ballet, some recreating the original choreography while others designed their own interpretations. Whether old or new versions, virtually all productions use the Igor Stravinsky music, though Stravinsky created different versions since the original 1910 score. Ms. Lyras has chosen the 1945 version previously used by George Balanchine, master choreographer and founder of New York City Ballet, who created his restaging in 1970 along with co-creator Jerome Robbins.

The story opens as Prince Ivan enters the garden of the evil sorcerer Kostcheï. Here he encounters the Firebird, a striking woman in bird-like form. The prince captures the creature, who endeavors to escape until he earns her trust. Before flying away, she gives the Prince one of her feathers, which offers her protection should he find himself in trouble. Prince Ivan then meets a beautiful princess, attended by her maidens, who warns him of Kostcheï’s power to turn passing travelers into stone. The princess’s warning is realized as Kostcheï and his subjects attempt the Prince’s capture, only to be thwarted when Prince Ivan wields the magic feather. The Firebird instantly appears and Kostcheï is vanquished. With Kostcheï’s spell broken the princess reappears, and she and Prince Ivan express their love for each other and are wed.

The February residency’s repertoire will also include Raymonda Act III. Updates on the remaining repertoire that will round out Indianapolis Ballet’s debut residency at The Toby at Newfields can be found at www.indyballet.org/company and via the @IndyBallet Facebook, Twitter & Instagram platforms.