Autumn 2021Sleeping Beauty
Javier Torres – Pyotr Tchaikovsky
The family favourite returns to the repertoire
Sleeping Beauty is one of the most beloved ballets of all time. The familiar story about the bewitched princess Aurora, the good and evil fairies, and the adventurous prince truly comes into its own as a ballet. The stunning costumes and sets evoke a richly colourful fairy-tale world, which will enthrall the entire audience from young children to adults. Sleeping Beauty is an ideal first experience of ballet for a child.
Age limit 5 years.
Your safety is important to us
We recommend everyone who visits the Opera House to wear a face mask. We kindly ask you to arrive at the performance in good time and only when you are not feeling ill. Our personnel are happy to help you whenever necessary.
Choreography (partly after petipa)
Music
Pjotr Tšaikovski
Conductor
Sets
Minna Wallenius
Costumes
Erika Turunen
Lighting design
Eric Loustau-Carrere
Make-up design
Tuija Luukkainen
Aurora
Aurora
Aurora
Prince désiré
Prince désiré
Prince désiré
Carabosse, lady
Carabosse, lady, volante, the fairy of courage
Carabosse, man, golden deer
Carabosse, man
Carabosse, man, golden deer
Syrene, the fairy of love
Syrene, the fairy of love
Volante, the fairy of courage
Volante, the fairy of courage
Grazia, the fairy of joy and beauty
Grazia, the fairy of joy and beauty
Grazia, the fairy of joy and beauty
Babette, aurora's cousin
Babette, aurora's cousin
Babette, aurora's cousin
Prince of the west
Prince of the west
Prince of the west
Golden deer
The birth of Princess Aurora is celebrated at the court of a faraway kingdom. Three fairies have been invited to be godmothers: Volante, the fairy of courage, Grazia, the fairy of joy, and Syrene, the fairy of love. As the fairies are giving their christening gifts to the princess, the fairy of fear, Carabosse, barges in. The King and Queen have forgotten to invite her. The enraged Carabosse bestows a curse upon the Princess: one day she will prick her finger on a rose thorn and die! Syrene is yet to give her gift, however, and utters a counterspell. The Princess won’t die, but she’ll fall asleep for a hundred years and finally awake to the kiss of a prince.
The Princess celebrates her 16th birthday. She meets four princes who have come to ask for her hand in marriage. An elderly woman also appears and gives her a rose. The court is horrified, but there is no time to take the rose off the Princess before she pricks her finger on it. The old woman is revealed as Carabosse, and the princess falls asleep.
A hundred years later, Prince Desiré is out hunting, and a golden deer leads him to Syrene. Syrene tells the Prince about Aurora and shows him the way to the castle where he has to fight Carabosse. In the end, the Prince finds Aurora and she and her court are awakened by his kiss.
Aurora and Desiré’s wedding is attended by a multitude of fairy tale characters, from Little Red Riding Hood to Puss in Boots and the Blue Bird. Love has conquered the entire count.
A full synopsis and background information are available in the programme booklet.
What can we get you?
Choose your favourite refreshments from this season’s tasty menu. You can easily add refreshments to your shopping basket while selecting tickets in our online store.
The services of the Opera Restaurant are available before performances and during the interval. Order beforehand and avoid the queues.
Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific table for orders made via the online store. We may also seat several parties at the same table. You may be assigned a bar height table for enjoying refreshments standing up.
Your 20% discount for Radisson Blu Hotels
Complete your experience by staying the night at a hotel. As a customer of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, you can enjoy the hospitality of Helsinki’s Radisson Blu Hotels at a special rate.
This treat-yourself-offer includes accommodation for two in the hotel of your choice in Helsinki, two glasses of sparkling wine upon arrival, and the hotel’s delicious Super Breakfast.
Opening hours
We are here to help you both in person and by phone, Monday through Saturday.
Accessibility
Read about step-free access at the Opera House.
Regular customers
Becoming a regular customer is worth it: see the twelve benefits granted to season ticket holders.
Tours
Pull back the curtain and take a peek backstage on a guided tour.
Programme booklets
Find out more about the performances.
Gift voucher
Give a friend or family member an evening at the opera or ballet.
With children
Performances for children and tips for families.
Tickets & discounts
Read more about exchanging your ticket, ticket types, flexible pricing, discounts and our sales and delivery terms.
Press and Media
Press bulletins, photos and tickets, interview requests and PR staff contact details.
Getting there
The Opera House is easily accessible by car, public transport and even bicycle.
Refreshments
Fancy a treat? The Opera Restaurant has plenty of delectable options. Services are available before performances and during the interval.
Groups and companies
Make a splash and organise a reception at the Opera House.