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.
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.
The Opera Restaurant is turning over a new leaf in Autumn 2021 with Restel as our new catering partner. Refreshment sales for performances in the 2021–2022 season will start in August. You can order refreshments in advance in our online shop, the Opera&Ballet mobile app, or at our customer service point.
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.
The offer sales will start on 19 May. Explore the stylish hotels and pick your favourite.
We are here to help you both in person and by phone, Monday through Saturday.
Read about step-free access at the Opera House.
Becoming a regular customer is worth it: see the twelve benefits granted to season ticket holders.
Pull back the curtain and take a peek backstage on a guided tour.
Find out more about the performances.
Give a friend or family member an evening at the opera or ballet.
Performances for children and tips for families.
Read more about exchanging your ticket, ticket types, flexible pricing, discounts and our sales and delivery terms.
Press bulletins, photos and tickets, interview requests and PR staff contact details.
The Opera House is easily accessible by car, public transport and even bicycle.
Fancy a treat? The Opera Restaurant has plenty of delectable options. Services are available before performances and during the interval.
Make a splash and organise a reception at the Opera House.
