The Sleeping Beauty
ballet in three acts and a prologue
music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Cast
Choreographer Nacho Duato has discovered new meanings, emotional nuances, and graceful imagery in the captivating music of Tchaikovsky and the magical story by Charles Perrault, so familiar to all of us since childhood. Inspired by the choreography of his great predecessor, Marius Petipa, Duato occasionally refers to him, with respect or light irony, without contradicting him. The grandeur of the classical style gets shaken up: it is as if a serious symphony orchestra has suddenly allowed itself some light, jazzy twists.
The ballet’s designer has created a space on stage which allows the audience to feel as if they are right inside the fairy tale, in the world of the fairies. Set against a background of flowering roses, the ballet’s characters sometimes resemble birds or butterflies. The wicked fairy, Carabosse, is portrayed as a vampish beauty, faithfully served by wily cockroaches with shining backs. In the finale, though, the evil spells are undone, and kindness and love win out. „In our time, adults, too, need fairy tales. They help us to return to something important and personal: the child within us.“ The production team are sure that this is true, and audiences gladly share their view.
Prologue
Aurora’s christening. Accompanied by her entourage, the Lilac Fairy, the princess’s godmother, makes her entrance. The kind fairies congratulate Princess Aurora and bestow gifts upon her. Alarmed servants announce the arrival of another guest — the wicked fairy Carabosse, who was not invited because of an oversight by the master of ceremonies Catalabutte. Seeking revenge for this slight, Carabosse confirms that Aurora will be the most beautiful and intelligent of the princesses, but foretells that she will prick her finger on a spindle and will fall into eternal sleep.
The Lilac Fairy alters the evil fairy’s curse. Princess Aurora will sleep, but not forever. The day will come when a prince will be enchanted by her beauty and awaken the princess from her sleep.
Act one
Princess Aurora turns sixteen. Noble guests and suitors arrive at the palace. The princess is gracious to all of them, dancing with each but showing no clear preference. Among the guests Aurora notices an old woman holding a strange object, which piques her curiosity. Fascinated, the princess takes the spindle and begins to dance with it. Suddenly, she pricks her finger, collapses and passes out. To everyone’s horror, the old woman reveals herself as the wicked Fairy Carabosse, who rejoices in her triumph. The Lilac Fairy consoles the King and Queen. assuring them that Aurora will not die. She, along with the entire kingdom, will fall into a century-long slumber.
Act two
A hundred years have passed. Prince Désiré is hunting in the forest with his friends and attendants. Left alone, the prince encounters the Lilac Fairy, who tells him about Aurora. Through the silent forest, the Lilac Fairy and Désiré glide in a boat toward the castle shrouded in slumber. In the overgrown castle grounds, Carabosse and her minions are present but they are powerless against the Lilac Fairy’s magic. Désiré finds the sleeping princess and awakens her with a kiss.
Act three
King Florestan’s palace. The wedding of Princess Aurora and Prince Désiré is being celebrated. Among the guests are, fairies and princes. The joyful newlyweds, Aurora and Désiré, are dancing. The story concludes with the triumph of goodness.
Premiere of the production: 16 December 2011
Libretto by Nacho Duato after Ivan Vsevolozhsky and the fairy tale by Charles Perrault
- ChoreographyNacho Duato
- Stage Designer, Costume DesignerAngelina Atlagić
- Lighting DesignerBrad Fields
- Assistant to Stage Designer adapting the artistic solutions to technical performanceOleg Molchanov
- Assistants to Stage DesignerMagdalena Vlajić, Branko Cvijić
- Costume TechnologyAlla Marusina
- Choreographer’s AssistantTony Fabre
