The Rite of Spring (MacMillan) and 2008) Mara Galeazzi (2005), Zenaida Yanowsky (2005), Steven McRae (2011) and Edward Watson (2011). MacMillan had been invited to create a new production of "The Rite of Spring" for the Royal Ballet in 1959, but had declined. The company had little history of presenting Stravinsky ballets, with the exceptions of Ashton's "Le baiser de la fée" (1935) and "Scènes de ballet" (1948), and MacMillan's "Dances concertantes" (1955), "Agon" (1958) and "Le baiser de la fée" (1961). MacMillan took "The Rite" up in 1962, creating a work conspicuously removed from the Royal Ballet's classical tradition. His conception of the piece,
Tsarevitch Ivan, the Firebird and the Gray Wolf one who caught the bird would receive half his kingdom and be his heir. They drew lots to see who would be first, but both fell asleep; they tried to claim it had not come, but it had stolen an apple. Finally Ivan Tsarevich, the youngest son, asked to try; his father was reluctant because of his youth but consented. Ivan remained awake the entire time, and upon seeing the bird, tried to catch it by the tail. Unfortunately, Ivan only managed to grasp one feather. The Firebird did not return, but the king longed for the bird. He said