In the classic fairytale spirit of Snow White or Rapunzel, a
world of court jesters, evil witches, beautiful princesses and a
far away kingdom comes alive in the rarely told tale of The Love
for Three Oranges.
Illustrated by Elzbieta Gaudasinska, The Love for Three
Oranges is a gorgeous artistic rendering and retelling of the
famous surrealist opera. The opera is by renowned Russian
composer Sergei Prokofiev, best known for his beloved musical
story of Peter and the Wolf, a symphonic fairytale studied by
schoolchildren everywhere. The Love for Three Oranges, is a
fanciful mix of comedy, sorrow, fantasy and a bit of the
grotesque, and can help young children develop a love for the
marvelous stories in classical music.
How do you cure the ailing Prince who
is down in the dumps? The King thinks his son would feel better
if he could just laugh with gusto, and quickly summons the court
jester, Truffaldino, to amuse the royal heir. As the brightly
dressed clowns struggle to make the Prince giggle during a regal
banquet, it is the evil witch, Fata Morgana, who accidentally
triggers his laughing fit when she trips over her skirt and
bares her knickers.
In her fury, she curses the Prince with an instant,
undeniable passion for three oranges. The
Love for Three Oranges then follows the Prince and Truffaldino
on a quest to a far away desert land where they gather the three
precious oranges from a mad giant.
The Love for Three Oranges is a beautiful
interpretation of the operatic storyline and sure to trigger the
imaginations of young readers interested in fairytales and lands
far, far away.
Sergei Prokofiev is one of the most
celebrated Russian composers of the 20th century. He is the
composer of the operas The Gambler, The Love for Three Oranges,
War and Peace, and a symphonic fairytale Peter and the Wolf.
Elzbieta Gaudasinska is an award-winning illustrator of
children's books.
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"[T]he
fairy tale is gracefully told, but the elegant illustrations by
Polish artist Gaudasinska steal the show." - Booklist
"Children
(and adults) willing to set aside logic for a time will enjoy
themselves mightily."
- Kirkus Review
"Lively
and appealing... this book will be especially useful for music
teachers introducing opera to young audiences." - School Library
Journal
