The Sleeping Beauty - Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House

The Sleeping Beauty has been the Royal Ballet’s signature classic since 1946, when the company re-opened the Royal Opera House after the end of the Second World War. The lavish production enchanted war-weary audiences in London and wowed Americans on the company’s first-ever tour of the USA in 1949. The leading role of Princess Aurora won international acclaim for prima ballerina Margot Fonteyn. The three-act ballet has remained a staple of the repertoire as a display of refined style and skill. The current production has returned to the renowned 1946 set designs by Oliver Messel, with new costumes by Peter Farmer.

Although the fairy-tale plot is a simple one, The Sleeping Beauty makes testing demands of its performers. Principal dancers, soloists and corps de ballet need to be on tip-top form. The Royal Ballet is proud that its version of Marius Petipa’s 1890 choreography remains close to the original (unlike many ‘Soviet’ productions by Russian companies). One innovation, however, is Aurora’s sustained balance during the Rose Adagio. Fonteyn introduced the feat, whereby Aurora stays poised on one leg while four princely suitors take it in turn to promenade around her: the conductor keeps the music going until she takes her triumphant final pose.

Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score has ensured that The Sleeping Beauty’s music has been familiar for over a century. Valery Ovsyanikov conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House during the ballet’s spring season. There are many different casts, starting with an English Aurora and Prince Desiré in Lauren Cuthbertson and Rupert Pennefather. Former Bolshoi ballerina Natalia Osipova, now a member of the Royal Ballet, is partnered by Matthew Golding on 27 March and 9 April, the last performance. Booking for Friends of Covent Garden opens on 10 December at 10am.

Tickets: £5-£95

Address and Map: Covent Garden, London WC2 9DD

Underground: Covent Garden, Holborn