Choreographer: Marius Petipa
Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Premiere: January 15, 1890 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre

Overview: The Sleeping Beauty is a grand fairytale ballet that follows Princess Aurora, who is cursed by the wicked fairy Carabosse. At her christening, Carabosse declares that Aurora will prick her finger on a spindle and fall into a deep sleep for 100 years. The Lilac Fairy softens the curse, ensuring that Aurora will be awakened by true love’s kiss. After 100 years, Prince Désiré finds and awakens Aurora, and the ballet ends with a magnificent wedding celebration featuring various fairytale characters.

Key Themes:

• Triumph of Good Over Evil: The ballet highlights the classic struggle between light and darkness, with Aurora’s purity and the Lilac Fairy’s goodness overcoming Carabosse’s curse.
• Destiny and True Love: Aurora’s fate is sealed at birth, yet the ballet emphasizes the role of love in overcoming fate, with Prince Désiré’s kiss symbolizing love’s power to break the spell.
• Grace and Elegance: The Sleeping Beauty is renowned for its emphasis on classical ballet technique, filled with grace, balance, and precision.

Notable Sections:

• The Rose Adagio: One of the most iconic moments in ballet, where Aurora balances on one leg while receiving roses from her suitors. This scene tests the ballerina’s balance, control, and poise, and is a high point of technical skill.
• The Grand Pas de Deux: The wedding pas de deux between Aurora and Prince Désiré is the joyful climax of the ballet. It is a celebration of love and the triumph of good, featuring impressive lifts, delicate footwork, and a sense of regal grace.
• The Fairies’ Variations: Each fairy at Aurora’s christening performs a unique variation, symbolizing different virtues such as grace, joy, and beauty. These solo performances showcase the dancers’ precision and artistry.
• The Bluebird Pas de Deux: A standout from the wedding celebration, this vibrant and energetic duet between the Bluebird and Princess Florine highlights leaps, quick footwork, and intricate partnering.
• Battle with Carabosse: In the final confrontation, Prince Désiré faces the dark fairy Carabosse, battling through her magical forces before breaking the spell with his kiss.

What to Watch For:

• Rose Adagio: Keep an eye on Aurora’s strength and balance as she maintains difficult positions during her suitors’ promenades. The ballerina’s ability to hold these extended balances is a defining moment.
• Choreographic Symbols: Notice the contrast between the flowing, lyrical movements of the fairies and the darker, sharper choreography of Carabosse, symbolizing the battle between good and evil.
• Character Performances: The ballet is filled with charming fairytale characters, including Puss in Boots, Red Riding Hood, and the Bluebird. Each character’s variation brings a unique flavor of dance to the stage, adding variety and color to the wedding celebration.
• Lavish Ensembles: The wedding scene is not only about the main characters but also a showcase of opulent group dances. Watch how the ensemble works in harmony to create visually stunning patterns and formations.

Famous Performances: Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev performed these legendary roles many times throughout their long careers. The Royal Ballet and Mariinsky Ballet are known for their iconic productions.