Ballets Russes
This is an appropriate post for Stravinsky's birthday (thank you, Google). I've always loved the music of the Firebird -- dreamy and passionate in equal parts. I was lucky enough to witness some of the glamour and exoticism of Diaghilev's original costumes and staging for that ballet a couple of years ago, at an exhibition on 1920s design at the Museum of London. Now, I'm excited to discover this archival / exhibitions project on the Ballets Russes, in which the University of Adelaide is an integral partner, together with the Australian Ballet and the National Library of Australia. An excellent reason to visit the NLA! I was annoyed to miss the recent Graham Murphy production of Firebird, as it would have been very interesting to see how the characteristic athleticism of his choreographic style would meld with the Firebird's themes. I live in hope that they will release it through cinemas as one of those "live" broadcasts.
I also can't wait to see this exhibition at the Melbourne Arts Centre.