{
  "id": 13259209,
  "title": "Powerful allegory, magic wonder as ballet takes on Stravinsky",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/powerful-allegory-magic-wonder-as-ballet-takes-on-stravinsky",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T23:50:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/2026/10/09/powerful-allegory-magic-wonder-as-ballet-takes-on-stravinsky"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Royal Winnipeg Ballet kicked off its mainstage season with a powerful and magical rendition of Stravinsky Stories, a tribute to the iconic Russian composer. Opening Thursday, the ballet captivated audiences with its blend of classical and contemporary elements, paying homage to Igor Stravinsky and his rich musical legacy.\n\nThe program featured Alexei Ratmansky's The Fairy's Kiss, a 50-minute work marking the choreographer's return to the RWB after over three decades. Ratmansky, once a principal dancer in the early 1990s, crafted this piece as a full-circle moment, blending the fairy tale of The Ice Maiden with Stravinsky's tribute to Tchaikovsky's romantic ballet scores.\n\nThe story follows a young man's journey, symbolized by newly minted principal dancer Skylar Campbell, as he is saved and kissed by a fairy after his mother's tragic death in a blizzard. Unbeknownst to him, the fairy is none other than the enchanting figure who tricks him on his wedding day, revealing her true identity and his ultimate destiny. The ballet, with its allegorical themes of art and sacrifice, received a special bravo for its emotional depth.\n\nMusic director Ming Luke and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra provided exceptional support throughout the performance, with the winds section particularly noteworthy. Costume designer Jerome Kaplan and set designer James F. Ingalls worked in harmony to create a visually stunning experience, ranging from folkloric attire to ethereal, translucent garments.\n\nThe program also showcased Houston Thomas’s Firebird, an innovative take on the classic Russian folklore tale set in the modern world of corporate America. Thomas’s choreography, featuring soloist Logan Savard as Ivan and Julianna Generoux as the Firebird, enchanted the audience with its magical elements and powerful storytelling. Supporting artists, including Taisi Tollasepp as Kat, added warmth and grace to the production, though some sections felt slightly disjointed.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Royal Winnipeg Ballet opens season with Stravinsky Stories",
    "Alexei Ratmansky's The Fairy's Kiss marks choreographer's return",
    "Houston Thomas's Firebird set in modern corporate America"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Stravinsky Stories program revitalizes classical themes with contemporary twists, blending emotional depth and visual spectacle to showcase the company's technical skill and artistic range.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}