Prologue

The Christening

King Florestan XXIV and his Queen have invited all the fairies to be godmothers at the christening of their daughter, Princess Aurora. They arrive with presents for the baby but the proceedings are interrupted by the arrival of Carabosse, the Wicked Fairy. In her anger at not being invited she gives Aurora a spindle, saying that one day the Princess will prick her finger on it and die. The Lilac Fairy, who has yet to bestow her gift, promises that Aurora will not die but fall into a deep sleep, from which she will be woken by a prince’s kiss.

ACT I

The Spell

It is Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday and four princes come to vie for her hand in marriage. Three women are discovered by Cattalabutte to have knitting needles. He is horrified as all needles and pins have been banned, and King Florestan, in a fury, decrees that the women must die. The Queen pleads for mercy as it is her daughter’s birthday, so the King relents. As Aurora dances she is interrupted by an old woman who gives her a spindle. Curious, she plays with it and, pricking her finger, falls in a dead faint. The old woman throws back her cloak to reveal herself as Carabosse and after reminding everyone of her spell, vanishes. The Lilac Fairy appears to fulfil her promise. She casts a spell of sleep over everyone and causes a thick forest to grow over the palace.

Act II

The Vision

One hundred years later, Prince Florimund is hunting in the forest with members of his court. A stag is sighted and the company pursue it, leaving the young Prince behind to dream pensively of an ideal love. The Lilac Fairy appears and shows him a vision of Princess Aurora. Florimund implores her to take him to where she sleeps. Outside the palace gates they are met by Carabosse, whom the Lilac Fairy repells. At last Prince Florimund awakens Princess Aurora with a kiss – the spell is broken and Carabosse is finally vanquished.

Act III

The Wedding

Fairytale characters come to the wedding of Prince Florimund and Princess Aurora. They all join in the celebrations and the Lilac Fairy blesses the marriage