Hello Gentlemen,
It's Asian Nicole. National Ballet of Canada. Produced, staged and with additional choreography by Rudolf Nureyev, after Marius Petipa. So it was on Wednesday night when the National Ballet of Canada revived its iconic production of the greatest of the 19th-century Russian classics, The Sleeping Beauty. Of course, my French Ballet instructor would not have let me miss out on the most famous ballet which was written by Tchaikovsky. I was so delighted to accompany him to watch this fabulous show last Thursday night.
I think that most people would agree that ballet has gotten better – much better – over the course of the past century. And what’s so great about the National Ballet of Canada’s version of The Sleeping Beauty is that it’s chock full of the high legs, virtuosic jumps and devouring of space that so distinguishes late 20th-century ballet.
Harrison James was my kind of Prince Florimund: strong, elegant, introspective, then alternately a little arrogant and sweet. The corps de ballet dancer has just been promoted straight to first soloist (skipping the second-soloist rank) and you can see why. There’s emotional sensitivity in his work and then personality, too.
Dancing with his vision of Princess Aurora, joy becomes a physical experience. The “work” is invisible; instead the steps seem like an effortless extension of his volition and he takes over the whole stage.
The Sleeping Beauty is a ballet in a prologue and three acts, first performed in 1890. The music was composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (his opus 66). The score was completed in 1889, and is the second of his three ballets. The original scenario was conceived by Ivan Vsevolozhsky, and is based on Charles Perrault's La Belle au bois dormant. The choreographer of the original production was Marius Petipa.
The premiere performance took place at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on January 15, 1890. The work has become one of the classical repertoire's most famous ballets.
The ballet's premiere received more favorable accolades than Swan Lake from the press but Tchaikovsky never had the luxury of being able to witness his work become an instant success in theatres outside of Russia. He died in 1893. By 1903, The Sleeping Beauty was the second most popular ballet in the repertory of the Imperial Ballet (the Petipa/Pugni The Pharaoh's Daughter was first), having been performed 200 times in only 10 years.
Tchaikovsky wrote several works well known among the general classical public—Romeo and Juliet, the 1812 Overture, and his three ballets: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty. These, along with two of his four concertos, three of his six symphonies (seven if his program symphony Manfred is included), and two of his 10 operas, are probably among his most familiar works. Almost as popular are the Manfred Symphony, Francesca da Rimini, the Capriccio Italien, and the Serenade for Strings.
Original cast members costumed for Act I. At center is Carlotta Brianza as Aurora. (Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, 1890)
“What’s so great about The National Ballet of Canada’s version of The Sleeping Beauty is that it’s chock full of the high legs, virtuosic jumps and devouring of space that so distinguishes late 20th century ballet.”
—The Globe and Mail
“This Sleeping Beauty is a grand jewel in The National Ballet of Canada’s repertoire. Not only does it feature a treasure trove of classical riches, it once again proves why this company is among the best in the world.”
—National Post
Overall, Canada’s Beauty is a reminder that Tchaikovsky’s music was, after all, made for dancing.
Thank you so much for the wonderful evening, my darling French ballet instructor! This ballet show was spectacular, and I enjoyed it a lot!
It's Asian Nicole. National Ballet of Canada. Produced, staged and with additional choreography by Rudolf Nureyev, after Marius Petipa. So it was on Wednesday night when the National Ballet of Canada revived its iconic production of the greatest of the 19th-century Russian classics, The Sleeping Beauty. Of course, my French Ballet instructor would not have let me miss out on the most famous ballet which was written by Tchaikovsky. I was so delighted to accompany him to watch this fabulous show last Thursday night.
I think that most people would agree that ballet has gotten better – much better – over the course of the past century. And what’s so great about the National Ballet of Canada’s version of The Sleeping Beauty is that it’s chock full of the high legs, virtuosic jumps and devouring of space that so distinguishes late 20th-century ballet.
Harrison James was my kind of Prince Florimund: strong, elegant, introspective, then alternately a little arrogant and sweet. The corps de ballet dancer has just been promoted straight to first soloist (skipping the second-soloist rank) and you can see why. There’s emotional sensitivity in his work and then personality, too.
Dancing with his vision of Princess Aurora, joy becomes a physical experience. The “work” is invisible; instead the steps seem like an effortless extension of his volition and he takes over the whole stage.
The Sleeping Beauty is a ballet in a prologue and three acts, first performed in 1890. The music was composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (his opus 66). The score was completed in 1889, and is the second of his three ballets. The original scenario was conceived by Ivan Vsevolozhsky, and is based on Charles Perrault's La Belle au bois dormant. The choreographer of the original production was Marius Petipa.
The premiere performance took place at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on January 15, 1890. The work has become one of the classical repertoire's most famous ballets.
The ballet's premiere received more favorable accolades than Swan Lake from the press but Tchaikovsky never had the luxury of being able to witness his work become an instant success in theatres outside of Russia. He died in 1893. By 1903, The Sleeping Beauty was the second most popular ballet in the repertory of the Imperial Ballet (the Petipa/Pugni The Pharaoh's Daughter was first), having been performed 200 times in only 10 years.
Tchaikovsky wrote several works well known among the general classical public—Romeo and Juliet, the 1812 Overture, and his three ballets: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty. These, along with two of his four concertos, three of his six symphonies (seven if his program symphony Manfred is included), and two of his 10 operas, are probably among his most familiar works. Almost as popular are the Manfred Symphony, Francesca da Rimini, the Capriccio Italien, and the Serenade for Strings.
Original cast members costumed for Act I. At center is Carlotta Brianza as Aurora. (Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, 1890)
“What’s so great about The National Ballet of Canada’s version of The Sleeping Beauty is that it’s chock full of the high legs, virtuosic jumps and devouring of space that so distinguishes late 20th century ballet.”
—The Globe and Mail
“This Sleeping Beauty is a grand jewel in The National Ballet of Canada’s repertoire. Not only does it feature a treasure trove of classical riches, it once again proves why this company is among the best in the world.”
—National Post
Overall, Canada’s Beauty is a reminder that Tchaikovsky’s music was, after all, made for dancing.
Thank you so much for the wonderful evening, my darling French ballet instructor! This ballet show was spectacular, and I enjoyed it a lot!
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