The story of the slumbering princess goes back several centuries and went through numerous versions before Perrault was inspired by an Italian tale to write what would become the Sleeping Beauty that we know today. On the day of her christening, an infant princess receives a curse from the fairy Carabosse, whom no one invited to the fete; the fairy wishes for Aurora to prick her finger and die on the day of her 16th birthday. Fortunately, another fairy succeeds in easing the princess’ plight by having her fall instead into a deep sleep of 100 years. Only true love’s kiss will awaken her.
In the staging presented by Les Grands Ballets with lavish sets and costumes, choreographer Marcia Haydée has gone back to the original version by Marius Petipa and retains the essence of the 19th-century classical ballet. However, the role of the evil fairy plays a much more important role than in the original. Carabosse as reimagined by Haydée becomes a central and nuanced character, personifying Evil – but Good as well, since no being is totally Evil.
Our orchestra features 43 musicians and soloists of the highest calibre, and has been playing a major role in the success of Les Grands Ballets for more than 30 years.
"Wow! It's a fabulous show. […] Of all the ballets I had the chance to see in my life, The Sleeping Beauty is certainly the most splendid : the beautiful stage set, hundreds of costumes, the revised story, the wigs, the dancers who are absolutely fantastic, and the choreographies by Marcia Haydée."
Franco Nuovo in "Pénélope" radio show, Ici Radio-Canada
"A grandiose ballet you shouldn't miss!"
Emilie Leclerc, Sors-tu.ca
"It was a night of the wildest dreams. The choreography, the costumes, the stage set : everything was splendor, greatness and wonder [...]. Sophisticated and princely costume, shimmering or colourful, always splendid and detailed... A ballet of perfect beauty and precision."
Luce Langis, patwhite.com
PROLOGUE
The long-awaited day is finally here. The palace halls ring with a flurry of excitement as King Florestan and the Queen beam with pride over their daughter, Princess Aurora. Today is her Christening, and the six Good Fairies have arrived to bestow their gifts upon the young girl, their Goddaughter.
With a jolt, a crack of thunder and lightning announce the arrival of the evil fairy Carabosse and end the festive mood. She is livid at not having been invited to partake in the important day. The Good Fairies try to calm her but are unable to prevent her from casting a horrible spell on the Princess. On her 16th birthday, it is declared, Princess Aurora will prick her finger on a spindle and die. The King and Queen fall into despair. The Lilac Fairy, who had not yet presented her gift to the Princess, succeeds in softening Carabosse’s curse with a spell of her own. Princess Aurora is protected from death, but will fall into a 100-year slumber that can only be broken by true love’s kiss.
INTERLUDE
Time passes, and Princess Aurora blossoms into a young woman under the watchful protection of the Lilac Fairy. Yet, Carabosse always lingers near, anticipating the fateful day when her curse will unfold.
ACT I. THE SLEEP
In the palace garden, King Florestan and the Queen are hosting a lavish party for Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday. Among the guests are four princes who have come to vie for the Princess’ affection. An elderly woman, hiding in plain sight, makes her way to the Princess’ side and gifts her a bouquet of roses. Little does Princess Aurora know, the elderly woman is actually Carabosse, and a spindle is hidden in the bouquet. While admiring the flowers, Aurora pricks her finger and falls under spell. She is laid in her bed, destined to sleep for 100 cursed years. When the whole court falls victim to the enchanted sleep, the Lilac Fairy creates a thick forest to conceal and protect the kingdom until the curse can be broken. Enraged at having been thwarted, Carabosse slips away to plot her revenge.
ACT II. THE KISS
A century later, there is another royal party where a young prince is being courted. Prince Désiré longs for solitude and escapes the party, and the many women there trying to charm him, by going for a walk in the forest. Carabosse has spotted him, but so have the Lilac Fairy and the forest nymphs. The Lilac Fairy acts first, conjuring a vision of sleeping Princess Aurora. As if in a dream, Prince Désiré begins to dance with Aurora and falls completely in love. Hopeful, the Lilac Fairy leads him to the sleeping kingdom to find and awaken her.
Carabosse stakes out the Prince from the thorny rose thicket and pounces on him with a spell. The Lilac Fairy comes to his rescue, returning the spell against Carabosse. When Prince Désiré finally makes it to Aurora’s bedside, he falls to his knees and kisses her, breaking her curse.
ACT III. THE WEDDING
The whole kingdom has awoken from their cursed sleep and rejoices in preparing the wedding between Princess Aurora and Prince Désiré. The guestlist includes beloved fairytale characters who make special appearances for this joyous event. The Lilac Fairy blesses the couple’s union and continues to watch over them, but Carabosse never remains far, awaiting her moment of reprisal.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Duration
2 hours 43 minutes (including the intermission)
Prologue (36 minutes)
Act I (32 minutes)
Intermission (20 minutes)
Act II (34 minutes)
Act III (41 minutes)
This production was created in 1987 by Marcia Haydée for the Stuttgart Ballet. The sets and costumes of this production presented by Les Grands Ballets were created in 2011 for the Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
LES GRANDS BALLETS
TOURING INFOS
Created for: Stuttgart Ballet (1987)
Number of dancers: 57
