In Maurice Bejart's avant-garde production of this ballet, the title character is represented by a Viet Cong fighter.
In Maurice Bejart's avant-garde production of this ballet, the title character is represented by a Viet Cong fighter. Maria Tallchief became prima ballerina after her huge breakout dancing the lead in George Balanchine's 1949 production of this ballet. Muted celli and basses play natural-harmonic glissandos near the end of the "Introduction" of this ballet, which features a uniform 7/4 time for the "General Rejoicing" section at the very end. The composer borrowed an oboe theme from the Sinfonietta by (*) Rimsky-Korsakov for the Khorovod, or round-dance, performed by thirteen princesses in this ballet. After a bassoon solo-driven "Berceuse," the protagonist of this ballet finds and destroys the egg containing the soul of Kashchei the Immortal. For 10 points, name this Stravinsky ballet in which Ivan is aided by a magical avian. 
In Maurice Bejart's avant-garde production of this ballet, the title character is represented by a Viet Cong fighter.
The Firebird [or L'oiseau de feu] 