About Firebird:
Firebird is a Russian folk tale in two scenes (premiered on June 25, 1910 in Paris – commissioned by Serge de Diaghilev).

Serge de Diaghilev heard Stravinsky for the first time on February 6, 1909, the day when his Fantastic Scherzo and Fireworks were created. Diaghilev was extremely impressed by this last work. Since his Ballets Russes had already performed for a season in Paris in 1909 and were a great success, he wished to repeat the experience the following year and include a brand new work inspired by the legend of the Firebird. He commissioned the young Stravinsky to write the music. 

The ballet was an immediate success. The Ballets Russes enabled Fokine to fully realise his ideas since he shared the same vision of ballet with Diaghilev, perceiving it as a total work of art where every element must be in harmony with the artistic project. As for Diaghilev, he found in Fokine the choreographer who could bring his enterprise the right amount of novelty needed to captivate but not clash with the audience. It was a total success.