Author Description

When Serge Diaghilev decided to produce for his 1921 London season a revival of Petipa's 'Sleeping Beauty', he turned to the great Russian designer Léon Bakst to provide the scenery and costumes. In the incredibly short time of just six weeks Bakst produced several hundred costume designs and scenery for all four acts. To avoid confusion with English pantomimes, Diaghilev changed the name of the ballet to 'The Sleeping Princess'. Although the production was a financial failure it was a great artistic success, due in a large part to Bakst's designs, and this success led to the production of this book, first published in 1923 in a limited edition of one thousand copies, and never before reprinted with the illustrations in full colour. The original editors chose to reproduce 54 of Bakst's designs, mainly of costumes for the principal characters but including five set designs, all of which are included here.