Written by Jiří Zahrádka & Illustrated by Alexandra Hetmerová

Wri

tten

by

Jiří Z

ahrá

dka

& Il

lust

rate

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Ale

xand

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etm

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b4u publishing

Swan Lake

Swa

n La

ke

i want to understand ballet

Age

7+3D theatre

inside Written by Jiří Zahrádka & Illustrated by Alexandra HetmerováSwan Lake

i want to understand ballet

Would you like to go to see a ballet but you’re afraid that you won’t understand the story? Or are you a big fan of ballet who wants to learn more about your favourite ballets? Then this book is just what you’re looking for. Swan Lake is a wonderfully illustrated folding book. On one side you can read a fairy tale; on the other, you can learn a lot of interesting things about the history and the present of ballet.

Read a fairy tale and discover the rich world of ballet’s backstage

Get to know the history and the present of ballet

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not suitable for children under 36 months.

© Designed by B4U Publishing / Albatros Media Group, 2015.All rights reserved. The …….. translation rights arranged through ……. Agency.

ISBN + EAN

w w w.b4upubl i sh ing.com

Both-sided concertina

book Let yourself be impressed by

the 3D theatre

1

Once upon a time there was a wise queen who had one son, Siegfried. It was her wish that one day he would succeed to her throne and be a just ruler. However, Siegfried had no thoughts of kingship, as he preferred to spend his time at parties, taking rides into the forest and hunting game. Why should he bother with learning and preparing for his duties as monarch? When the prince turned eighteen, a magnificent birthday party was held in the grounds of the castle. The tables buckled under the weight of all the choice delicacies, and the best wines overflowed from the goblets. Everyone danced and made merry. When the entertainment was

at its height, the queen took Siegfried to one side. “My dear son,” she said to him. “My time is drawing near, and I wish to hand my kingdom to you. But how can I do so? You think only of amusement. You have no wish to learn or any interest in royal duties! I have decided to hold a ball tomorrow, to which I will invite princesses from near and far. You will choose one of these and marry her!”

The queen’s words ruined the prince’s mood. The party came to an end and the guests dispersed, leaving the prince alone in the grounds, wondering sorrowfully how he could get out of this wedding pickle.

Swan Lake00

note: When you come across the opera glasses symbol, turn to contents for the scene in which the action described takes place.

As the sun set, the prince looked towards the horizon and saw a flock of white swans flying into the deep forest beyond the royal palace. The prince hurried to summon his faithful friend, who accompanied him on most of his hunting trips. “Quickly, Benno! Come and look at this!” “The night is young and perfect for the hunt!” exclaimed Benno. “Let’s go after them!” Prince Siegfried, Benno and the master of the royal hunt grabbed their crossbows, mounted their horses and disappeared into the forest. Evening fell.

2

Soon Siegfried was so wrapped up in the chase that he found he had left his companions far behind. He climbed down from his horse and struggled through the dense woodland until he reached the shore of a mysterious, moonlit lake. “How can it be that I have never been here before?” he wondered. Then he saw that the flock of swans had settled on the surface of the lake. Never in his life had he seen such

splendid creatures! They had elegant bodies, sleek white feathers, long, slender necks and eyes that were at once beautiful and filled with sorrow... The most beautiful swan had a golden crown on its head and swam surrounded by its companions. The prince was entranced. “The most beautiful swan with the crown – I must catch it!” He lifted his crossbow and aimed...

3

12

In 1895 a new production of Swan Lake was staged at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. Unfortunately Tchaikovsky did not live to see its success: he had died unexpectedly in 1893. Three years before the composer’s death the director of the St Petersburg theatre had discussed with him the possibility of his reworking the entire ballet, but this had not come to pass; the score was revised by conductor Riccardo Drigo. The ballet was rechoreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, some of whose dance passages have been preserved and are still performed in most productions. Changes were also made to the storyline, which was revised by the composer’s brother Modest Tchaikovsky. In the original version of 1877, at the end of the story Odette does not forgive the prince for his betrayal and he snatches from her head the golden crown

APOTHEOSIS– elevation, acceptance among the gods

that protects her against the evil sorcerer von Rothbart. The sorcerer unleashes a storm which causes the prince to drown in the lake; Odette dies and the swans – Odette’s companions – remain swans forever. The revised ending of 1895 is not exactly cheerful either: although Siegfried defeats von Rothbart, Odette plunges to the depths of the lake and the prince leaps after her. In the apotheosis, however, the pair ascend to heaven, von Rothbart’s spell is broken and the swan maidens are saved.

The 1895 version was premiered on 27 January, and it was a huge success. This was also due to the prima ballerina, who, in the role of Odile, performed an unprecedented 32 fouettés (spins on one foot).

SUCCESS AT LAST

16

Von Rothbart – sorcerer who is the

instigator of all evil in Swan Lake. Odette’s mother

rejected his love, for which he took his revenge

by kidnapping and casting an evil spell on her daughter.

He transforms himself into a terrifying giant owl.

WHOM THE DANCERS PLAY

Odette – princess turned into a swan by the evil sorcerer von Rothbart; at night she takes on her human form. Odette is one of the most significant dancer’s roles in classical ballet. The prima ballerina playing Odette typically wears a beautiful white costume including a tutu, a feather headdress and a crown.

Odile – daughter of the sorcerer

von Rothbart, enchanted by von Rothbart so as to look like Odette. Usually the roles of Odette and

Odile are taken by the same ballerina. While

innocent Odette wears white, Odile has a black

costume, which is why she is sometimes known as the Black Swan. Yet Odile has

been wearing black only since the 1940s.

Siegfried – young prince who at the beginning of the story thinks only of hunting and amusement; this changes when he falls in love with Odette. Siegfried is the main male role in Swan Lake.

Written by Jiří Zahrádka & Illustrated by Alexandra Hetmerová

Wri

tten

by

Jiří Z

ahrá

dka

& Il

lust

rate

d by

Ale

xand

ra H

etm

erov

á

b4u publishing

Swan Lake

Swa

n La

ke

i want to understand ballet

Age

7+3D theatre

inside Written by Jiří Zahrádka & Illustrated by Alexandra HetmerováSwan Lake

i want to understand ballet

Would you like to go to see a ballet but you’re afraid that you won’t understand the story? Or are you a big fan of ballet who wants to learn more about your favourite ballets? Then this book is just what you’re looking for. Swan Lake is a wonderfully illustrated folding book. On one side you can read a fairy tale; on the other, you can learn a lot of interesting things about the history and the present of ballet.

Read a fairy tale and discover the rich world of ballet’s backstage

Get to know the history and the present of ballet

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not suitable for children under 36 months.

© Designed by B4U Publishing / Albatros Media Group, 2015.All rights reserved. The …….. translation rights arranged through ……. Agency.

ISBN + EAN

w w w.b4upubl i sh ing.com

Both-sided concertina

book Let yourself be impressed by

the 3D theatre