Tamara Karsavina’s Performance Legacy: The Phoenix Firebird CPD Webinar

The Firebird ballet, choreographed in 1910 by Mikhail Fokine for the ballerina Tamara Karsavina, has been integral to the Royal Ballet’s repertoire since it was first performed by the Company in 1954. Margot Fonteyn, who had been coached in the role by Karsavina herself, performed the title role.

This webinar will investigate the way in which the character of the Firebird has developed through Karsavina’s coaching of the role to Fonteyn, and Fonteyn’s passing of the role to Monica Mason, who is still teaching the role to the current generation of dancers.

Aims

The aims of this webinar are to:

• enhance understanding of ballet heritage with a focus on Tamara Karsavina and Mikhail Fokine’s Firebird, and
• enhance understanding of the myths that develop around ballet history.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the webinar, participants will:

• have gained knowledge of Tamara Karsavina’s importance to the Royal Ballet’s production of The Firebird,
• have an increased understanding of how repertoire is passed down from generation to generation, and
• have gained critical skills in relation to how history is presented. 

Date and Time

3 July 2026, 11am – 12pm BST

This webinar will be recorded. A link to the recording will be sent to all participants the following working day. Please ensure you book onto the webinar before the closing date. The recording will be available for one month.

If you are joining the webinar live from outside of the UK, please check your time zone against BST (British Summer Time).

Platform

This activity will be hosted on Zoom. You will be sent details of how to join the activity within five working days prior to the start date.

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Photo: Douglas Elston