P.I. Tchaikovsky. The Sleeping Beauty

Choreographer Andrei Kaidanovsky presented his version of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's magnificent ballet "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Litsa State Theatre.

The idea for the ballet "The Sleeping Beauty," based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale of the same name, came from Ivan Vsevolozhsky, director of the Imperial Theatres. It was Vsevolozhsky, together with the renowned choreographer Marius Petipa, who wrote the libretto for the production. The scenes and the overall spirit of the ballet were based on the splendor of the court during the reign of Louis XIV, and the majestic music was intended to match and reveal a new side of the fairy tale.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was asked to write the musical score for the production. Vsevolozhsky and Petipa provided the composer with an exceptionally precise plan for the ballet, calculated down to the last beat.

The ballet premiered on January 3, 1890, at the Mariinsky Theatre and caused a real sensation.

The birth of King Florestan's long-awaited daughter, Aurora, is being celebrated in his palace. Guests have arrived from all over the kingdom. Master of Ceremonies Catalabutte is checking the guest lists. It seems no one has been forgotten.

The courtiers surround the newborn's cradle. The good fairies bring her their gifts. Suddenly, a noise is heard: Carabosse, the most evil and powerful fairy, has arrived at the palace. She arrived at Aurora's christening in a chariot pulled by rats and deformed dwarves. In vain, the king, queen, and courtiers try to appease the evil old woman. Her dire prophecy is revenge for being forgotten: "Thanks to the gifts of the six fairies, Aurora will be the most beautiful, charming, and intelligent princess in the world. Carabosse cannot take these qualities from her. But one day, by pricking her finger, Aurora will fall asleep, and her sleep will be eternal."

Everyone is shocked. But the Lilac Fairy, who has not yet given her goddaughter a gift, steps forward: "Yes, little Aurora will fall asleep, as Fairy Carabosse wished. But not forever. The day will come when a young prince, enchanted by the princess's beauty, will give her a kiss and awaken her from her long slumber."

Enraged, Carabosse climbs into her cart and disappears. The king issues a strict decree, forbidding the use of needles and knitting needles throughout the kingdom, under penalty of death.

Twenty years have passed. A lavish celebration is held in the palace to celebrate Aurora's birthday. Suitors from all over the kingdom have gathered for the ball, ready to ask for the beautiful princess's hand in marriage, but she chooses none of them.

At the height of the festivities, Aurora notices an old woman beating time to her dance with a strange, unfamiliar object. Taking the spindle from the old woman's hands, she twirls joyfully with it until, pricking her finger, she suddenly stops. Everyone is horrified. A few more movements—and Aurora falls, losing consciousness. The old woman throws off her cloak. Everyone recognizes her as the evil fairy Carabosse. The guards immediately rush to the sorceress, but with a devilish laugh, she disappears in a cloud of flame and smoke.

The Lilac Fairy appears. With a wave of her magic wand, the entire kingdom is plunged into sleep, and the royal garden is transformed into a dense, impenetrable forest.

Many years have passed. Prince Désiré is hunting in the forest. To amuse the young man, the gentlemen and ladies dance. But the prince remains indifferent—none of the ladies present touches his heart. He desires to be alone.

The Lilac Fairy appears. With a wave of her wand, she summons a vision of the beautiful Aurora. The rays of the setting sun illuminate her with a wondrous light, and the prince recognizes her as the one he has often dreamed of. Enchanted, Désiré follows this shadow, but it continually eludes him. Finally, the vision disappears. The prince begs the fairy to show him the way to Aurora.

In the distance, a castle can be seen, plunged into a deep sleep. Only Carabosse and her faithful servants remain awake, ready to bar the way to anyone who dares enter the sleeping kingdom. But evil is powerless before the Lilac Fairy and is forced to retreat.

Désiré enters the palace. The prince is filled with joy and happiness: before him lies his beautiful dream. Leaning toward the sleeping beauty, he tenderly kisses her. Aurora awakens, and with her, everything around her awakens. The spell of the evil Carabosse is broken. The Prince asks for the beautiful Aurora's hand in marriage and receives her consent.

Guests have gathered again in the palace. The King is celebrating his daughter's wedding. Good fairies and fairy tale characters have come to congratulate Aurora and Désirée: Little Red Riding Hood and the Gray Wolf, the Cat and the Pussycat, Cinderella and the Prince, the Blue Bird and Princess Florine. Everyone is happy.

CAST:

Princess Aurora - Elisa Lodolini

Prince Désiré - Misha Hall

Queen - Angelica Mattiazzi

King Florestan XIV - Ilya Dergousoff

Carabosse, the Evil Fairy - Yu-Tend Huang

Catalabute, King Florestan's High Butler - Arthur Sicilia

Bruckner Orchestra Linz

Conductor - Marc Reibel

Ballet Faces

Choreographer - Andrey Kaidanovsky

State Theatre Linz, Linz, 2024