Who wouldn’t want to be woken with a kiss after a 100 year nap? It sounds like the stuff of fairy tales. And yet, Sleeping Beauty is more than just a love story between a prince and princess. It is a tale of good and evil - and all the shades in between. The evil fairy Carabosse curses Aurora after her own pride has been wounded. In the Lilac Fairy, goodness proves a strong adversary, allowing Aurora and her prince to live happily ever after.
Sleeping Beauty has been a celebrated fairy tale for centuries. Marius Petipa’s ballet féerie from 1890 transformed the story into one of the most popular ballets of all time. Marcia Haydée's version after Petipa has become a recurring favorite on the Stuttgart Ballet’s stage. Brilliant divertissements and inventive ensemble scenes allow the dancers to sparkle from start to finish. The role of Carabosse stands out especially for its use of both femininity and strength. In contrast with the generous Lilac Fairy, conflict between good and evil ignites the spark in Haydée's version.
With all the festivities at the royal court, the ballet’s imaginative picture-book designs are executed with Jürgen Rose’s penchant for detail. Through these sumptuous visuals, along with astounding music, and brilliant dancing, Sleeping Beauty invites both young and old to fear and tremble, revel and marvel.
Sleeping Beauty has been a celebrated fairy tale for centuries. Marius Petipa’s ballet féerie from 1890 transformed the story into one of the most popular ballets of all time. Marcia Haydée's version after Petipa has become a recurring favorite on the Stuttgart Ballet’s stage. Brilliant divertissements and inventive ensemble scenes allow the dancers to sparkle from start to finish. The role of Carabosse stands out especially for its use of both femininity and strength. In contrast with the generous Lilac Fairy, conflict between good and evil ignites the spark in Haydée's version.
With all the festivities at the royal court, the ballet’s imaginative picture-book designs are executed with Jürgen Rose’s penchant for detail. Through these sumptuous visuals, along with astounding music, and brilliant dancing, Sleeping Beauty invites both young and old to fear and tremble, revel and marvel.
SYNOPSIS
Prologue
After many years of childlessness, a girl is born to the king and queen. They hold a brilliant celebration to mark the christening of their daughter. Among the invited guests are six fairies, each offering her gift and good wishes to the princess. The fairies' companions also give Aurora their gifts of small rose bushes. Suddenly, the sky darkens. Amidst thunder and lightning, the fairy Carabosse appears. Catalabutte, the master of ceremonies, reviews his list of invited guests and sees with horror that he has forgotten to invite her. Full of anger at this disrespect, Carabosse curses the child, predicting that, on her sixteenth birthday, she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. The King, Queen, and other guests are dismayed, but the Lilac Fairy calms them, countering Carabosse's curse: Aurora will not die; when she pricks her finger, she will fall into a hundred-year sleep, to be awakened by the kiss of a prince.
Interlude
As the years pass, Aurora grows up, protected by the Lilac Fairy's blessing. Carabosse, however, never lets the little princess out of her sight, patiently waiting for her curse to come true.
I. Act
Aurora’s birthday
Four princes attend Aurora’s sixteenth birthday party to court the young princess. The rose bushes that she received at her christening have grown into stately hedges. A gift from the fairy Carabosse, a bouquet of roses, arouses special interest. Aurora does not suspect that the evil fairy has hidden a spindle among the flowers. Before she knows it, she pricks her finger. Carabosse rejoices at the fulfillment of her curse. The princess falls to the ground, apparently dead. But the Lilac Fairy transforms death into a deep slumber, causing everyone in the castle to fall along with the princess. A hedge of thorns grows over the castle and the garden. The Lilac Fairy extends her protective blessing over the sleeping court.
Four princes attend Aurora’s sixteenth birthday party to court the young princess. The rose bushes that she received at her christening have grown into stately hedges. A gift from the fairy Carabosse, a bouquet of roses, arouses special interest. Aurora does not suspect that the evil fairy has hidden a spindle among the flowers. Before she knows it, she pricks her finger. Carabosse rejoices at the fulfillment of her curse. The princess falls to the ground, apparently dead. But the Lilac Fairy transforms death into a deep slumber, causing everyone in the castle to fall along with the princess. A hedge of thorns grows over the castle and the garden. The Lilac Fairy extends her protective blessing over the sleeping court.
II. Act
100 years later: hunting scene, Prince Desiré’s vision, and Aurora’s awakening
Prince Desiré goes hunting with a large entourage. When the hunting party is some distance away, the Lilac Fairy appears to him. She shows him a vision of Princess Aurora, who instantly enchants his heart. The Lilac Fairy assures the prince that his luck is not far away, and leads him to the sleeping princess. Carabosse attempts to stop the prince, but with the Lilac Fairy's help, Desiré succeeds in outwitting her. Captivated by Princess Aurora’s charm, he embraces her, awakening her with a kiss. This kiss, signifying the couple's love, is stronger than Carabosse's malice. The court awakens from its hundred-year sleep.
Prince Desiré goes hunting with a large entourage. When the hunting party is some distance away, the Lilac Fairy appears to him. She shows him a vision of Princess Aurora, who instantly enchants his heart. The Lilac Fairy assures the prince that his luck is not far away, and leads him to the sleeping princess. Carabosse attempts to stop the prince, but with the Lilac Fairy's help, Desiré succeeds in outwitting her. Captivated by Princess Aurora’s charm, he embraces her, awakening her with a kiss. This kiss, signifying the couple's love, is stronger than Carabosse's malice. The court awakens from its hundred-year sleep.
III. Act
Aurora’s wedding
Princess Aurora and Prince Desiré celebrate their marriage with a costume party in which every member of the court is dressed as a fairy tale character. At the height of the festivities, Aurora and Prince Desiré dance a Grand Pas de deux. The Lilac Fairy gives her blessing to the two lover's union. Lurking at a distance, Carabosse watches on with envy. Evil persists.
Princess Aurora and Prince Desiré celebrate their marriage with a costume party in which every member of the court is dressed as a fairy tale character. At the height of the festivities, Aurora and Prince Desiré dance a Grand Pas de deux. The Lilac Fairy gives her blessing to the two lover's union. Lurking at a distance, Carabosse watches on with envy. Evil persists.
