As promised, here are a few more illustrations from the lovely vintage "Stories from the Ballet" book, taken from lithographs by Sylvia Green. Also a section of the lovely endpapers, showing various characters. I suspect a whole series was planned - such a pity it never materialised!
I've always had a love-hate relationship with Stravinsky's ballet Petrushka. The music is dazzling, often disturbing, and the story is especially dark. It's a wonderfully conceived piece, and yet... it's a tough story to tell to young children. I don't think it would suit Ella Bella at all, alas. The macabre ending, the violent antics and the frankly rather racist cast-list would just make it impossible to explain away.
These retro images are divine though, and my thanks, again, to Emma for finding and giving me this gorgeous book.
Next up: The ballet of Scheherazade!
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