Sleeping Beauty: Nureyev and Tchaikovsky's ballet at Opéra Bastille

Couldn't get tickets for Swan Lake at theOpéra Bastille ? Good news: a new ballet is back on the bill, and not the least important one! Sleeping Beauty, choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev and with music by Tchaikovsky, is a must-see for the 2024/2025 season. The ballet runs at theOpéra Bastille from March 8 to July 12, 2025.

In 1961, during a tour of Paris with the Kirov, Rudolf Nureyev enthralled audiences at the Palais Garnier as the Prince in Sleeping Beauty. The choreographer decided to revisit this work for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1989, calling it "the ballet of ballets". This version, with music by Tchaikovsky, is Rudolf Nureyev's fourth and final version of Sleeping Beauty.

Rudolf Nureyev 'sSleeping Beauty is a retelling of the famous fairy tale, with a new choreographic approach that highlights the male roles, particularly that of the Prince. True to the classic tale, Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy Carabosse and falls into a hundred-year sleep after pricking her finger on a spindle. Only a Prince Charming's kiss can awaken her. The good Lilac Fairy softens the curse, assuring Aurore will not die, but will sleep until the prince comes to save her.

• To be read
• Swan Lake at the Opéra Bastille, last seats available
• Hip-Hop 360 show, the dance show at the Théâtre du Châtelet
• Current and upcoming dance shows and festivals in Paris and the Île-de-France region

Nureyev's version emphasizes the complexity and depth of the male characters. He develops the role of Prince Désiré, Aurore's savior, with richer, more dynamic choreography. The prince is no longer just a secondary character appearing at the end of the ballet, but becomes a protagonist in his own right, with dances and scenes that underline his heroism and determination.

Tchaikovsky 's music remains unchanged, and continues to accompany the sumptuous classical dance scenes. Nureyev also retains the fairytale visual splendor of the original ballet, while adding his own personal touch to balance the male and female roles. After a ten-year absence from theOpéra National de Paris, Sleeping Beauty is set to make a triumphant return to theOpéra Bastille! This choreographic show in three acts lasts 3 hours 10 minutes, with two intermissions.

Although you'll have to wait a while to see the show, we advise you to get your tickets quickly, as ballet tickets at the Opéra go fast. Nureyev and Tchaikovsky 'sSleeping Beauty can be seen at theOpéra Bastille from March 8 to July 12, 2025.

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