The Sleeping Beauty

Watch The Sleeping Beauty

  • 1955
  • 1 hr 6 min

The Sleeping Beauty is a classic ballet performance that was first staged in 1890. The original music for the ballet was composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and the libretto was written by Ivan Vsevolozhsky and Marius Petipa. The ballet tells the story of Princess Aurora, who falls into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday, after being cursed by the evil fairy Carabosse. She is only awakened by the kiss of a prince, who has been searching for her for many years.

The Sleeping Beauty is a timeless story, and has been performed by ballet companies all around the world over the last century. This recorded version of the ballet, starring Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes, captures the elegance, grace and beauty of one of the world's most beloved productions.

Margot Fonteyn was one of the most celebrated dancers of the 20th century. She was a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, and was known for her exquisite technique and effortless grace. She was the perfect choice to play Princess Aurora in this adaptation of The Sleeping Beauty. Michael Somes was another star of the Royal Ballet, and was known for his athletic and powerful performances. He plays the role of Prince Florimund, the prince who must rescue Aurora from her deep sleep.

The Sleeping Beauty is a visually stunning production, with elaborate sets and costumes that transport the audience to a magical, fairy tale world. The ballet opens with Aurora's christening, which is attended by all the fairies in the land. When the evil fairy Carabosse is not invited to the ceremony, she arrives uninvited and places a curse on the young princess. This sets in motion a series of events that culminate in Aurora's eventual awakening by Prince Florimund.

The dance sequences in The Sleeping Beauty are some of the most intricate and challenging in the ballet repertoire. The choreography by Marius Petipa is both delicate and athletic, and requires a high degree of technical skill from the dancers. Fonteyn and Somes are both up to the challenge, and their performances are breathtaking to watch. The pas de deux between the two is particularly moving, as they convey the deep love that has developed between Aurora and Prince Florimund during their time apart.

The music of The Sleeping Beauty is simply stunning. Tchaikovsky's score is one of the most beautiful in all of classical music, and adds an emotional depth to the ballet that is hard to achieve through dance alone. The famous "Rose Adagio" is one of the showstopping moments of the production, as Aurora balances on pointe while being courted by four suitors. The music swells as she moves from one to the next, and the audience is left breathless by the sheer beauty and audacity of the performance.

The Sleeping Beauty is a story that has stood the test of time for more than a century, and this production captures the magic and essence of the original perfectly. The combination of Petipa's choreography, Tchaikovsky's music and the stunning performances by Fonteyn and Somes make this version of The Sleeping Beauty one of the most memorable and enduring productions ever recorded.

In conclusion, The Sleeping Beauty starring Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes is a breathtakingly beautiful ballet performance that captures the magic, grace and elegance of this timeless story perfectly. From the soaring music of Tchaikovsky to the intricate choreography of Petipa, every element of this production comes together to create an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.

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Description
  • Release Date
    1955
  • Runtime
    1 hr 6 min