The Freestyle Orchestra
“...string players, leaping, dancing and tumbling, often with instruments in hand, without ever dropping a note... managed to channel both the improvisatory joy of a raging party around a bonfire and something of the multi-disciplinary spectacle and magic of Diaghilev’s ballets.”
— Limelight Magazine
Tale of the Firebird
An orchestra in motion — with fire, acrobatics, and a virtuosic violin at its centre.
Tale of the Firebird is a visually striking, high-impact performance where live orchestral music and contemporary circus collide, transforming the traditional concerto into a fully embodied theatrical experience.
This nine-scene musical drama fuses a virtuosic violin concerto with aerial work, acrobatics, and fire performance. Musicians don’t just play — they move, climb, balance, and take flight, collapsing the boundary between concert and choreography.
Composed by Hungarian-Australian Chloé Charody for Vienna’s The Freestyle Orchestra, the work is designed specifically for an ensemble where every performer is both musician and circus artist.
At its core, Tale of the Firebird draws on the myth of the Phoenix — a creature reborn through flame.
What begins as a visually rich, fairytale-like journey unfolds into a deeper narrative of resistance, transformation, and renewal — igniting light in life’s darkest moments and erupting with one of humanity’s greatest weapons against oppression: hope.
Suitable for all ages, the show is designed for both indoor or outdoor presentation and can be performed either standalone or as an expanded collaboration with local musicians and orchestras.
“Chloe's music represents the epitome of the human heart.”
— Nigel Kennedy
Meet the Cast
This production features 10-12 artists from The Freestyle Orchestra.
The roles and players include:
Sonja Schebeck (The Firebird) - director, violinist, fire, acro flyer, aerialist
Katharina Waigmann (Mother Bird) - pianist, aerialist (straps, hammock)
Chao-Ming Ko (The Raven) - violist, contemporary dancer, acrobat
Anja Maria Habegger (The Robin) - harp, aerial harp, acro flyer
Elena Sofia Genova (Little Light) - violinist, acro flyer
Antonio Chorbadzhiyski (Cinnamon) - cellist, acro base, fire
Edoardo Blandamura (Spikenard) - double bassist, acro base, fire
Chanda VanderHart (Myrrh) - pianist, acro base, aerialist, fire
Olivier Dietrich (Woodland Creature) - violinist, acro base, hand balancing
Jane Hackett (Woodland Creature) - violinist, concertmaster
Oriel Edoardo (Woodland Creature) - double bassist, acro base
Oliver Donaldson (Woodland Creature) - acro base, cello
