Secrets of an Ancient Ball. Social Events in Literature and Life

In opera or ballet, one of the central actions often takes place at a ball. It is in the ball scenes that high society life is reflected: what people wore back then, what they discussed, what the rules of decorum... were. Even minor details of wardrobes or gestures could reveal almost everything about a person. The author of this book, Irina Klenskaya, guides us through the centuries, showcasing different eras through cultural gems: "La Traviata," "The Nutcracker," "Iolanta," "War and Peace," "Boris Godunov," and "Faust." Each chapter is written in the genre of historical adventure and is accompanied by illustrations that help to dive deeper into the context. What you have before you are not dull lists of facts, but vivid stories about people and destinies reflected in the iconic works of the classics.