Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) is a ballet written by Igor Stravinsky for the 1913 Parisian season of the Ballet Russes. Stravinsky was a Russian composer who lived much of his life in France and Switzerland with his family. During WWI, Stravinsky lived in Switzerland and didn't return to Russia until the 1960s. He moved to the United States (like many Eastern European composers) just before WWII, where he lived the remainder of his life.

The Rite of Spring is based on pagan myths about spring coming to prehistoric Russia. In order to appease the gods and thaw winter, a virgin must be sacrificed. In the ballet, a girl is chosen and after accepting her fate, she dances herself to death.

The 1913 premiere caused riots because the piece was so abstract and violent. Until 1987, the original choreography (by Diaghilev) was thought to be lost, but after careful study, the Joffrey Ballet was able to recreate the original production. Their rendition of Le Sacre can be viewed on YouTube.

Walt Disney included Le Sacre in Fantasia, animated with dinosaurs (which is pretty fun).

The music can be unpleasing if you are not familiar with 20th century atonality. (I'm a music student at university and this is sort of my life.) However, the piece will really grow on you.

I chose to base this work on Le Sacre for several reasons. We know that Natalia was Russian and a dancer. Personally, I see her story as similar to the sacrificial maiden's: not having a choice in life or death. There is a part in this when Natasha compares herself to winter and Clint to spring. We know that Clint saved Natalia. I like to see him as thawing her heart (not to sound like Olaf from Frozen).

In regards to the Clint/Natasha relationship, I really like the two of them together. BUT I also respect Clint/Laura way too much to disregard it. Hence, this was born. Natasha's decision to "let Clint go" (while partly inspired by [SPOILERS] Amy and Rory's almost-divorce in Doctor Who) was a sort of sacrifice like that in Le Sacre. I tried to place little hints throughout the entire piece that implied that Clint always wanted a family. Natasha couldn't give that to him, and Laura could. Because Natasha loved him, she wanted him to be happy, and lied to let him be happy. Whether you agree with that or not, I think it is completely in-character for Natasha, who I see as being more selfless and self-sacrificial than she realizes (like the virgin in Le Sacre).

I do hope that you have enjoyed this, and perhaps found an appreciation for Igor Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps.

Thank you!