• [Stravinsky, Igor. (1882–1971)] Golovine, Alexandre. (1863–1930): Three Costumes from the First Production of Firebird, 1910
  • [Stravinsky, Igor. (1882–1971)] Golovine, Alexandre. (1863–1930): Three Costumes from the First Production of Firebird, 1910
  • [Stravinsky, Igor. (1882–1971)] Golovine, Alexandre. (1863–1930): Three Costumes from the First Production of Firebird, 1910

[Stravinsky, Igor. (1882–1971)] Golovine, Alexandre. (1863–1930): Three Costumes from the First Production of Firebird, 1910

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Three Theatrical Costumes by Alexandre Golovine from the first production of Firebird. Russia, ca. 1910. Formerly the property of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, previously sold by Sotheby's "Costumes and Curtains from Diaghilev & De Basil Ballets," 19 December, 1969, these three all pictured and described in the catalogue lot 16, p. 17-19 (original descriptions in quotations below, for each). All in fine condition with expected wear.

Maria Piltz's Costume as one of the Twelve Princesses: "Night-gown in natural-coloured flannel, with insets under the arms, decorated on the shoulders, sleeves and body with lines, rings and grids of gold embroidery, the two grids to the left and right of the torso also being sewn with a wriggling border of pale blue braid." Labeled "Pyltz" on the inside collar, with other later names also inscribed. Maria Piltz was still relatively unknown until 1913, when she created the role of the sacrificial victim (written for Bronislava Nijinska who became pregnant during rehearsals) in Nijinsky's "Rite of Spring."

Costume for one of the Knights in the Finale: "Mediaeval Russian robe in royal-blue, crimson and gold brocade, with sleeves of cherry-coloured corduroy, the gold lamé fur-trimmed collar being edges with gold braid which continues in bands down the opening to the hem which is also trimmed with gold braid."

Costume for one of the Knights in the Finale: "Full long-sleeved mantle trimmed at the collar with wuite fur; this is made up of several rich bought materials. The body of the garment is of string-coloured corduroy, but the sleeves are of a woven silk and cotton material in old-gold with an Art Nouveau pattern of stylized tulips in string colour. There is a cape-like collar appliqué in bois de rose and old-gold brocade of a floral pattern: this is bound by white gold braid and barred with gold lace. There is an oblong panel of gold braid over the heart which, together with the coat opening, hem and sleeve insertions, is bound with red and gold braid. At the pase of the skirt in front are appliqué bold floral scrolls in gold tissue outlined in crimson piping."

The Firebird (L'Oiseau de feu) was an archetypal 'Diaghilev' ballet, and one of the most successful of the early works of the Diaghilev Ballets Russes. Premiered in Paris in 1910, it was distinguished not only by Mikhail Fokine's imaginative and magical choreography and production, but by being Serge Diaghilev's first commissioned score from Igor Stravinsky. It was the beginning of a distinguished collaboration between Stravinsky and Diaghilev's company. Most of the costumes for the original production of The Firebird (L’Oiseau de Feu) were designed by Alexandre Golo­vine; those for the central characters, the Firebird and the Prince, were de­signed by Léon Bakst. However, when The Firebird received its first production in Russia, in 1921, Golovine produced further new costume designs.