The Sleeping Beauty
Journey with The Royal Ballet to an enchanted world of princesses, fairy godmothers and magic spells in Petipa’s classic ballet.
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When to see it
Booking for 22 February 2014 - 9 April 2014 opens
- Booking opens 14 January 2014 at 10.00am for General Public.
- Booking opens 10 December 2013 at 10.00am for Friends of Covent Garden.
- Booking opens 22 November 2013 at 10.00am for Supporting Friends.
- Booking opens 20 November 2013 at 10.00am for Premium 1 Friends.
- Booking opens 19 November 2013 at 10.00am for Premium 2 Friends.
Introduction
A wicked fairy places a fatal curse on the baby Princess Aurora, which the good Lilac Fairy softens to a sleep of 100 years. Only a prince’s kiss can break the spell.
Background
The Sleeping Beauty holds a special place in The Royal Ballet’s repertory. It was the ballet with which the Company reopened the Royal Opera House in 1946 after World War II, announcing its move from Sadler’s Wells to Covent Garden. Margot Fonteyn danced the role of the beautiful princess Aurora in the first performance, with Robert Helpmann as Prince Florimund. Sixty years later, in 2006, the original 1946 staging was revived, returning Oliver Messel’s wonderful designs and glittering costumes to the stage once again.
Marius Petipa’s classic 19th-century choreography is combined with newly created sections by Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Christopher Wheeldon. The ballet contains many memorable moments, from the iconic Rose Adagio, when Aurora meets her four royal suitors, to the vigorous hunting dances and the famous waltz for Aurora and her Prince. Throughout, Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky’s score conveys passion and intensity.
Live cinema season
The Sleeping Beauty will be screened live in cinemas on 19 March
Thanks to
Production sponsored by
Generous philanthropic support from
The Royal Opera House Endowment Fund
Original production (2006) made possible by
The Linbury Trust
How to support the Royal Opera House
Running time
About 2 hours 55 minutes | Including two intervals
Credits
| Choreography | Marius Petipa |
| Additional choreography | Anthony Dowell |
| Additional choreography | Frederick Ashton |
| Additional choreography | Christopher Wheeldon |
| Production | Monica Mason |
| Production | Christopher Newton |
| Music | Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky |
| Original designs | Oliver Messel |
| Additional designs | Peter Farmer |
| Lighting design | Mark Jonathan |
| Staging | Christopher Carr |
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Related links
- www.guardian.co.uk MoveTube: the Rose Adagio from Sleeping Beauty
- en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia: The Sleeping Beauty
