Lucy, one of the excellent pianists at Berkeley Ballet Theater, brought up this question after class this morning.

How early did the Apotheosis fall away from the production history of the ballet? The entrances are all there in the score, and WHERE IS CARABOSSE?

Which leads to this question: Since Cecchetti doubled as BOTH Carabosse and Blue Bird, what did he do at the Apotheosis, when one would suppose both characters were required to present themselves? This question has probably come up before -- RG, Doug, and Alexandra probably konw the answer, and maybe more of us -- but I don't, and would like to.

wasn't it croce's assumption that a 'double' was likely carried on for the final cortege and apotheosis?

Cecchetti is definitely the Bluebird in the polonaise, and has his entry at the restatement of the dance's opening theme. Fairy Carabosse has her entrance during the B period of the music, together with her rats and her chariot made from a wheelbarrow. It is definitely my impression that they got a character actress-dancer to do the old fairy, except that now she's a GOOD fairy, because she's happy she's invited to the wedding! Forgiveness makes everything beautiful again!