The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is a hugely popular annual visitor to the NAC, often presenting new work (Svengali, Wonderland, Dracula, The Magic Flute) as well as regular productions of their set-in-Canada Nutcracker. It's a thrill to welcome them back with one of the most beautiful and popular story ballets in the repertoire. RWB's The Sleeping Beauty is exactly what a ballet should be: theatrical, sparkling, with lavish costumes, opulent scenery, extraordinary music, and some truly superb dancing. While the RWB’s version would delight children, this fairy tale extravaganza is really for adults. It's a journey to an enchanted kingdom, a gauzy dream of beauty and deliverance where good triumphs over evil with a single kiss.
The ballet is evidence of the timeless power and romance of storytelling. It premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on January 15,1890, featuring what is widely regarded as Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballet score, along with the choreography of Marius Petipa. Petipa was ballet master of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres from 1871 until 1903, and he is often cited as the most influential choreographer who ever lived. The Sleeping Beauty was their second collaboration, following Swan Lake (1877) and preceding The Nutcracker (1892).
The Sleeping Beauty was originally acquired by the RWB in 1993. The current production was commissioned by André Lewis (a native of Hull, who has been with the RWB for 35 years, 17 of them as Artistic Director) in 2002, and has been restaged by Anna-Marie Holmes. This lavish production features elegant sets by Michael Eagan, lighting by Michael Whitfield, and over 130 gorgeous costumes designed by Shannon Lovelace and Anne Armit.
The ballet presents many challenges for the principal dancers and soloists, and The Sleeping Beauty is a showcase for the sheer technical brilliance and bravura of the RWB dancers. The title role of Princess Aurora is one of the greatest and most challenging female roles in ballet, as it demands tremendous athletic ability as well as extremely clean technique. Be sure to watch for the famous Rose Adagio in Act I, in which Aurora is presented to four potential suitors. With its thrilling balances and its emphasis on regally perfect presentation (Aurora has to balance unsupported on one leg and on pointe between taking each of her Princes' hands), it presents a challenge to the ballerina matched only by the 32 fouettée turns in Swan Lake.
SYNOPSIS
As the ballet begins, Princess Aurora is being christened. The evil fairy Carabosse -- a seething cauldron of rage, and a role performed en travesti -- storms in and curses the baby, as her invitation to the event had been overlooked. The curse states that on her 16th birthday, the princess will prick her finger and die. However, the Lilac Fairy weakens the curse, proclaiming that Princess Aurora will merely fall into a deep sleep for 100 years. She will then be awakened by the kiss of a handsome prince. During Aurora's 16th birthday party, a mysterious guest (the evil Carabosse) offers her a gift ... a lovely spindle. Aurora pricks her finger and the whole court falls into a deep sleep. A century later, the Lilac Fairy produces a vision of Aurora for the lonely Prince Désiré. The Prince is led to the castle, where he vanquishes the evil Carabosse. He kisses the sleeping princess, upon which the entire court wakes up. A beautiful and joyous wedding ceremony follows, featuring Aurora and Désiré in a grand pas de deux, as well as delightful appearances by Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and the Bluebird (!)
There's a simple explanation for this mysterious fairy tale mashup. Although The Sleeping Beauty is based on Charles Perrault's La Belle au bois dormant, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, Director of the Imperial Theatres in St. Petersburg, who conceived the original scenario, incorporated several characters from Perrault's other stories into the ballet. Trust me, it works.
Don't miss the timeless beauty and enchantment of The Sleeping Beauty in Southam Hall April 4-6!