Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) will be closing its’ 30th Anniversary celebrations with the famous, childhood fairy-tale, Sleeping Beauty. Marius Petipa created the classical ballet version of Sleeping Beauty with a commissioned score from Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky for the Imperial Ballet in Russia.
This holiday season, come reminisce this fantasy from 6 – 9 December 2018 at the Esplanade Theatre. Sleeping Beauty will be performed to live music by the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra.
“Sleeping Beauty has often been considered to the greatest achievement that a classical ballet company can make. It is a spectacle that combines the heritage of 19th century classical ballet, as given to us by Marius Petipa, with the brilliant composition of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s music and the spectacle of sets and costumes that transport us to another time and place. We premiered this production in 2010 and have brought it back now, in 2018, with the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra to enhance the performance and bring new meaning to it for our audiences.” says Artistic Director Janek Schergen.
Schergen adds, “Sleeping Beauty is, without doubt, my favourite of all the full-length narrative classical ballets. It appeals to me on every level and the sophistication of the music and the grandeur of the choreography show me the reason classical ballet has been treasured as one of the fine arts. To do the ballet Sleeping Beauty justice, you must endeavour to add to its artistic depth and quality in every area. This is something that is elusive so we keep setting the goals for ourselves higher and bring to you the best production of this masterpiece we have to offer.”
The tale begins as the court assembles for Princess Aurora’s christening. In their excitement, the royal family forgets to invite the wicked and powerful fairy, Carabosse. Furious at being overlooked, Carabosse turns up unannounced and places a curse on Aurora. She declares that Aurora shall die for her 16th birthday after pricking her finger. The Lilac Fairy, equal in power to Carabosse, intervenes. She gives her own blessing – the princess, instead of dying, will fall into a deep sleep for a hundred years. She will only be awoken by true love’s kiss.
For 16 years, Princess Aurora is kept safe, but tragedy strikes on her 16th birthday. She pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. The Lilac fairy casts a spell to ensure that the kingdom slumbers with her. A hundred years later, Prince Florimund is hunting in the woods. The Lilac Fairy appears and shows him a vision of Princess Aurora. He immediately falls in love with her and embarks on a quest to break the spell. The ballet ends in a grand finale celebrating the wedding of Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund.
SDT was founded in 1988 by Goh Soo Khim and Anthony Then. Since then, SDT has developed into Singapore’s premiere professional dance company comprising of 36 dancers plus trainees. In the course of each year, the Company performs six main seasons, including the widely popular Ballet Under the Stars at the Fort Canning Park, two full length classics, Masterpiece in Motion which brings together three works of the finest international choreography and Passages Contemporary Season.
The Company’s repertoire ranges from 19th century traditional classical to contemporary works, from renowned choreographers like Choo-San Goh, George Balanchine, Stanton Welch, Natalie Weir, Val Caniparoli, Edmund Stripe, Kinsun Chan, Edwaard Liang, Nils Christe, Toru Shimazaki, Christina Chan, Ma Cong, Timothy Harbour and most recently, Timothy Rushton.
Details of performance
Title : Sleeping Beauty
Date : 6 – 9 December 2018 (Thursday – Sunday)
Venue : Esplanade Theatre
Time : 6 & 7 December 2018 8pm
8 December 2018 1pm & 8pm
9 December 2018 1pm & 7pm
Ticket prices : $35, $55, $75 (SISTIC fees apply)
20% concessions for children aged 12 and below/Students/NSF/Senior Citizens
Ticket Sales Date: General Sales: 1 September – 9 December 2018
Tickets are available at all authorised SISTIC outlets/website and SDT Office. Email [email protected] or call 6338 0611 for ticket enquires.
