Lyric Fantasy in Two Parts

Music: By Maurice Ravel (1920-25). Libretto by Colette.

Choreography: By George Balanchine.

Production: Directed by Raoul Gunsbourg. Scenery by Alphonse Visconti. Costumes by Georgette Vialet.

Premiere: March 21, 1925, Opéra de Monte-Carlo. Danced by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Conductor: Victor de Sabata.

Cast: Singers and dancers appeared together on stage. Individual dancers were listed for the first time in the program for February 15, 1926: ACT I: Shepherds and Shepherdesses, Alexandra Danilova, Constantin Tcherkas, 2 couples; Ashes, Alicia Markova; 3 Sheep; Goat; Dog. ACT II: Butterflies, Danilova, Tcherkas, 2 women; 4 Squirrels; 4 Dragonflies; 5 Frogs. Sung parts included The Child, 2 Cats, Easy Chair, Princess, Mother, Nightingale, Fire, Chinese Cup, Dragonfly, Bat, Squirrel, Shepherd and Shepherdess, Teacher Arithmetic, Clock, Armchair, Teapot, Tree, Frog, 3 Beasts, Owl.

Note: A naughty child, confined to his room, smashes the teapot, mistreats his pet squirrel, tears the wallpaper, assaults the fireplace, the clock, his school books. The objects come to life, assert themselves, rebuke him. Transported into a magic garden, the child is confronted by animals and trees that in the past have suffered from his cruelties; they attack him. During the fray a small squirrel is injured; moved to compassion, the child dresses its wound. The animals are astonished; when in despair the child cries out for his mother, they assist him, and lead him to her.
World premiere and Balanchine's first major assignment from Diaghilev. There were three later Balanchine productions of this work; the 1981 version, conceived for television, used elements from the 1975 production.

Other Versions: 1946, Ballet Society (The Spellbound Child [L'Enfant et les Sortilèges]). 1975, New York City Ballet (L'Enfant et les Sortilèges, Ravel Festival). 1981, for the PBS television series Dance in America (The Spellbound Child / L'Enfant et les Sortilèges).