Baryshnikov/Барышников, "Tale of Serf Nikishka" / "Сказ о холопе Никишке", 1971

The "Tale of Serf Nikishka" / "Сказ о холопе Никишке" is a strange, and beautiful ballet. Obscure and rarely seen, it was produced by the Kirov Ballet in 1969, and recorded for Russian television in 1971. Dancing the title role is a very young Mikhail Baryshnikov. He is 23 years old in this video.

Dancers:
Mikhail Baryshnikov / Михаил Барышников
Alla Osipenko
Elena Evteeva

Music: Marat Kamilov
Choreography: Kyril Laskari

Kirov Ballet, 1971

Synopsis:
Nikishka, a Russian peasant boy, is completely fascinated with birds of the sky. He studies them and desires to fly as they do. He studies them, even going so far as to capture one for a closer look. He creates a set of wings. Unfortunately, his invention draws the attention and ire of Tsar Ivan. After menacing the village, the Tsar and his men throw Nikishka in prison. Nikishka's girlfriend attempts to release him, but he refuses to flee, saying he can never truly be free unless he is allowed to fly. When the Tsar's men finally take him away from his village in a cage, Nikishka accepts his fate, much to the heartbreak of the girl who loves him. In the end, he can only dream of flying away.

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