The White Doe, a full-length ballet in two acts based on a well-known fairy tale

THE WHITE DOE

A Fairy-Tale Ballet in Two Acts

Ballet Synopsis

ACT I

Scene 1 – Dance with Flowers, Bathing in the Pool

The Castle. The castle gate opens and a young Queen steps out. She looks around to make sure no one sees her. Before her lies a forest glade with a spring-fed pool, and she stands enchanted in the rays of the morning sun.

She dances among the flowers until, exhausted, she sits beside the pool. There she lays aside her garments and enters the cool water. When she emerges, she discovers a frog sitting upon her dress.

Scene 2 – The Frog and the Queen: The Curse

The Queen recoils in fright, but the frog calms her with a gentle gesture.

A vision appears upon the surface of the spring: the Queen bends over a cradle. The sun rises and its first rays fall into the cradle. White flames burst forth, and from them emerges a white doe.

Terrified, the Queen rushes back to the castle.

Scene 3 – The King Learns of the Curse

The King runs from the castle. The frog sits quietly beside the spring. He seizes a stone and is about to kill her.

The vision returns. A child lies in the cradle as the sun rises. This time, however, the King strikes at the sun's rays. From the flames emerges a beautiful young woman who embraces him in a pas de deux.

The vision fades. The King departs, while the frog waves to him in a friendly manner.

Scene 4 – Shutting Out the Light

The King walks through the corridors of the palace accompanied by his advisers.

With every step, another window is covered by dark shutters. Where a window once stood, there now stands a servant, a member of the Brotherhood of Darkness, holding a glowing candle.

The King enters a hall where a cradle stands surrounded by bearers of light. The Queen lifts a small Princess from the cradle.

The King wraps both mother and child within his cloak, shielding them from harm.

A pas de deux for the King and Queen.

Scene 5 – Growing Up

A nurse, strikingly reminiscent of the frog, chases the little Princess through the palace, trying to dress her.

The child escapes and vanishes, only to reappear somewhat older. Once again she teases her nurse and disappears.

When she appears for the third time, she has become a young woman. The nurse dresses her in a magnificent ball gown.

Scene 6 – The Ball

A grand ball is taking place in the castle. Guests adorned with candles whirl through elegant dances while the King and Queen observe the festivities.

A Polonaise is followed by a more spirited dance. At its conclusion, the courtiers form an honour guard, and through its centre runs the young Princess.

She dances gracefully, at first with energy and joy. A second dance follows, Valse triste. Gradually she grows weaker and weaker until she finally collapses.

A physician is summoned, a self-important know-it-all, who prescribes fresh air and sunlight. Furious, the King drives him away.

At that moment an adviser arrives with a solution: a nighttime carriage ride. The Princess will enjoy fresh air without exposure to the sun's rays.

The proposal is accepted. The carriage is prepared, every window carefully covered, and the journey begins.

The enchanted King takes the weakened Princess and the Queen with him, and together they set out into the darkness of the night.

Scene 7 – The Night Journey: The Princess Becomes a White Doe

The royal carriage travels through a moonlit forest.

The Princess is overwhelmed with wonder as she discovers a mysterious new world she has never seen before. The moon shines brightly, the gates of the dark palace close behind them, and she stands in the carriage facing the cool night breeze.

The forest teems with life. They pass bears, followed by a dance of does in the moonlight. Hares frolic across the stage; badgers appear; mice march in procession; foxes engage in their courtship rituals.

Finally, just before dawn, a magnificent procession of all the creatures of the forest fills the stage.

The King and Queen fall asleep.

Fascinated by the spectacle, the Princess opens the carriage door and steps outside at the very moment the sun begins to rise.

A single ray of sunlight touches her.

Instantly she is transformed into a White Doe.

Her parents can do nothing but watch in horror as she disappears into the forest.

ACT II

Scene 1 – The Hunt Begins

The Forest. Preparations for a great hunt are underway.

The sound of hunting horns drives the animals from the woods. Deer, hares and countless forest creatures flee before the approaching hunters.

Only the Frog remains seated, calmly observing the turmoil. At last even the White Doe appears and vanishes into the depths of the forest.

Scene 2 – The Hunting Party and the Prince's Solitude

The hunting party enters: huntsmen, elegant ladies and noble gentlemen.

All seek the Prince's attention, yet he arrives last and seems detached from the festivities.

Three young women of the hunting party dance before him in an attempt to win his favour. They first perform individually and then together in a pas de trois.

A vigorous men's dance follows, serving as a counterpart to the pas de trois.

The entire company joins in celebration until the huntsmen sound the signal for the hunt. One by one they depart into the forest.

Only the Prince remains behind.

The Prince's Variation – Solitude.

As he stands alone, he seems to glimpse the White Doe among the trees. He raises his bow, aims, and releases an arrow.

The Doe flees into the distance.

At that moment the Frog stretches out her hand, silently indicating the way.

The Prince has no choice but to follow.

Scene 3 – The Quest for the Ideal

(The Trial of Perseverance)

The White Doe flees before the arrow. The mysterious Frog guides its course, and the Prince follows wherever it leads.

His journey carries him far beyond his homeland.

Spain – Folia

The arrow passes through a festival of toreadors and fiery Spanish maidens. Amid dancers, bulls and flamingos, a beautiful Spanish woman courts the Prince in a passionate Folia.

For a moment he is tempted to remain.

Then, in the distance, the White Doe appears once more.

The Prince resumes his pursuit.

Italy – Tarantella

The arrow flies through a bustling harbour where cheerful sailors and fishmongers dance a lively Tarantella.

The Prince is swept into the merriment and nearly forgets his quest.

Yet the vision of the White Doe draws him onward.

Russia

The arrow arrives at a magnificent feast given by wealthy boyars.

A noble dance of swans is performed during the wedding celebration of a rich merchant's daughter. She is captivated by the Prince and can scarcely take her eyes from him.

Still he continues his journey.

China

The arrow reaches the Imperial Court, where a splendid Chinese opera is being performed with all the ceremonial grandeur of the Empire.

Even the Empress herself is present.

She invites the Prince to remain and enjoy the spectacle.

At that very moment...

Scene 4 – Encounter with the Ideal

The Prince awakens in a forest clearing where he had fallen asleep during the afternoon.

Standing before him is the White Doe.

She gazes at him in silence.

A brief dreamlike pas de deux follows, consisting solely of an adagio.

After his long wanderings, the Prince has finally reached his ideal, the object of his quest, the vision that has guided him through every temptation.

Then he truly releases his arrow.

The Doe turns and flees.

The arrow strikes her leg.

Scene 5 – The Breaking of the Curse

The last rays of sunlight fade.

Twilight descends upon the forest.

The wounded Doe collapses to the ground. The Prince lifts her into his arms.

As the moon rises, the White Doe is transformed into a beautiful young woman.

Gently, the Prince removes the arrow from her wound and binds it with his scarf.

Overcome by her beauty, he kisses her.

At that very moment the Frog reveals her true form and becomes the Queen of the Forest, who has been testing the Prince's perseverance throughout his entire journey.

Night gives way to day.

The rays of the rising sun fall upon the Princess.

This time she does not change into a doe.

The curse has been broken.

She embraces the Prince, her saviour.

Scene 6 – Wedding Celebration. Finale

Transformation.

The Castle Hall.

The betrothal of the Prince and Princess is being celebrated.

The hall is filled with brilliance and sunlight. Large open windows flood the palace with light, dispelling forever the darkness that once surrounded it.

A great celebration begins.

An opening gala dance.

Servants prepare the festive banquet table.

The Princess enters, followed by the Queen and King. Guests and wedding celebrants gather for the joyous occasion.

Grand Pas de Deux
Variation of the Prince
Variation of the Princess
Coda for the Prince and Princess
Finale