The
Love for Three Oranges
by Sergei Prokofiev, illustrated by
Elzbieta Gaudasinska
Booklist - November, 2006
"Based on the libretto
for Sergei Prokofiev’s opera, which was based on Carlo Gozzi’s play, which was
based on an Italian fairy tale, this large-format picture book tells the story
of a sad young prince who laughs at a witch’s pratfall. As punishment, she casts
a spell: the prince will fall in love with three oranges. The prince and his
court jester locate those oranges in a faraway castle, steal them, and escape to
the nearby desert. In a series of mishaps, the prince finds, loses, and regains
his true love, Princess Ninetta. Set within the framework of a commedia
dell’arte performance, the fairy tale is gracefully told, but the elegant
illustrations by Polish artist Gaudasinska steal the show. Fine lines, elongated
forms, and a subtle, delicate palette create artwork that is sophisticated yet
comical and appealing. Sweeping gestures give a suitably operatic look to the
characters. From the Musical Stories series, this offers an appealing
introduction to the opera."
Kirkus Review - Augus
t,
2006
"There’s
no getting around the surreal, mosaic quality of this tale, with its
odd juxtapositions and dream illogic. But it made a fun opera, and it
makes a rather delightful tale for children, too. There’s a prince
who has never laughed, but he laughs at the sight of the witch Fata
Morgana’s knickers (which are orange, ruffled and covered with
amoeboid shapes). She is not pleased, and curses him to fall
in love—with three oranges. Those oranges contain princesses, it turns
out, two of whom perish for lack of moisture. Fata Morgana turns the
third into a rat (briefly), but she’s restored, the witch banished
and a wedding takes place. Gaudasinska’s peachy illustrations are
just right: a palette of green gold, brown and orange; rounded forms
with elongated limbs and doll- or mask-like faces; an absurd sense of
proportion and space. Children (and adults) willing to set aside
logic for a time will enjoy themselves mightily."
School Library Journal
- October,
2006
"This
unusual story of a melancholy prince, cursed to fall in love with
three oranges, will be unfamiliar to most children, though it is
Prokofiev's most-often-performed opera. It opens and closes with
remarks to the audience by Pantaloon, a clownish figure dressed in the
style of Italian commedia dell'arte. In between readers meet a sick,
then lovesick prince; a worried king; a merry court jester; a helpful
wizard; a vicious witch with evil assistants; a giant cook; and, of
course, a beautiful princess. The strange tale is matched by
Gaudasinska's modern, somewhat surreal illustrations. The muted
palette of salmony pink, burnt orange, and limey green is distinctive.
The long- nosed, round-eyed characters are lively and appealing. The
first volume in the series, this book will be especially useful for
music teachers introducing opera to young audiences."
