Božena Nemtsova is one of the foremost Czech authors of the 19th century and among the greatest storytellers, with her treasure trove of fairy tales. Her stories also enjoy great popularity in Russia: The Twelve Months translated by Nikolai Leskov, provides the basis for Rodion Shchedrin’s new opera, A Christmas Tale. With traces of familiar fairy tales such as Cinderella and Snow White, the story tells of a beautiful, hardworking but unloved stepdaughter and her search for a violet in the snow. Ultimately she receives help from the months of the year and her kindheartedness is rewarded.