Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Choreographed by Marius Petipa. Story by Ivan Vsevolozhsky based on the Brothers Grimms’ version of Perrault’s ‘Dornröschen.’ Other characters from Perrault’s stories are included in the ballet, such as Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Bluebird, and more. 

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The story follows Princess Aurora, who is bestowed by fairies with positive virtues, but before the most powerful fairy, the Lilac Fairy, can present her gift, the jealous evil fairy Carabosse arrives to place a curse upon the baby princess as revenge. The curse states the princess will grow up a delightful young lady, but on her sixteenth birthday, she will prick her finger on a spindle and die.

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When this scenario comes to be, Princess Aurora is carried off to bed, and the Lilac Fairy casts a spell of slumber over the entire kingdom, which will only be broken when Aurora awakens.

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However, the Lilac Fairy intervenes and alters the curse to be a peaceful 100-year sleep for the princess rather than death. At the end of those 100 years, she will be woken by the kiss of a handsome prince.  

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Indeed, after 100 years, the Lilac Fairy guides a handsome Prince to the Sleeping Beauty hidden in a castle. Prince Désiré awakens Aurora with a kiss, and they immediately fall in love. The royal wedding ensues will fairytale guests such as Puss in Boots and the White Cat.