Prologue
The King and Queen are celebrating the birth of their daughter, Princess Aurora. The Lilac Fairy and her attendants appear to the gentle sounds of harps and violins. The good fairies – the Tender Fairy, the Playful Fairy, the Generous Fairy, the Brave Fairy and the Carefree Fairy – all arrive. Each has brought a gift for the new-born Princess. Terrified servants announce that Carabosse, the evil fairy, is on her way. The old and ugly Carabosse draws up in her chariot, driven by monsters and mice. She is furious that they forgot to invite her to the ball. Carabosse calls forth a vision of the young Aurora and says she will prick her finger on a spindle and die.
The Lilac Fairy drives Carabosse from Aurora’s cradle and promises to protect the Princess. Good has won this battle against Evil. Carabosse leaves the palace, fuming and enraged. In order to prevent the tragedy foretold by the evil witch, the King issues a command forbidding the use of spindles in his kingdom on pain of death.
Act I
Princess Aurora is now sixteen. The palace is filled with guests. The suitors are presented to Aurora. She is kind to them all and dances with each of them, without bestowing her favour on any particular one.
An old woman with a bouquet of roses approaches the Princess. Aurora takes the bouquet and dances a waltz. Suddenly, pricking her finger, the Princess falls, senseless. A sharp needle was hidden amidst the flowers. Everyone is grief-stricken. At this instant, the old woman’s cloak slips from her shoulders.
It is the evil Carabosse, in triumph. Drawing their swords, the suitors throw themselves upon her, but the witch disappears. Aurora’s protectress the Lilac Fairy appears. She is unable to undo Carabosse’s evil spell, but she can soften its effect. “Aurora is not dead-she is merely asleep,” says the good fairy, and with a wave of her magic wand sends the entire kingdom into a one-hundred-year’s slumber. The grounds become overgrown with lilac bushes, hiding the castle deep in a forest.
Act II
Scene I
One hundred years have passed. Prince Désiré is hunting in the woods with his friends and retinue.
Once he is alone, the Lilac Fairy appears before him. She calls forth Aurora’s image. The Prince is captivated and reaches out to her, but Aurora, dancing in the midst of the spirits, moves away and disappears. The Prince desperately wishes to see her again. Together with the Lilac Fairy, Prince Désiré sails towards the sleeping castle. They are surrounded by the silent forest. The towers of the royal castle can be seen through the dense wood.
Scene II
The overgrown park is inhabited only by the evil Carabosse and her attendants. They bar the way to all who attempt to enter the sleeping kingdom. Suddenly, they hear sounds indicating that the Lilac Fairy is approaching. Carabosse is powerless before her.
In the meantime, Désiré has already reached the walls of the royal castle.
Looking for the Princess, he hurriedly passes by the sleeping court. He approaches the couch where Aurora lies in a deep sleep.
Désiré wakens the sleeping beauty with a passionate kiss. The whole kingdom awakes with her. Aurora and Désiré feel all the passion of first love.
Enchanted by Aurora’s beauty and charm, the Prince asks the King and Queen for their daughter’s hand.
Act III
Aurora and Désiré’s magnificent wedding is being celebrated at the palace.
The many guests include characters from fairytales. There is Bluebird and his wives, Princess Florine and the Bluebird, Puss in Boots and the White Cat, Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf and Hop O’My Thumb and his brothers, with the Ogre chasing them. Cinderella runs by, losing her slipper. Prince Fortuné picks it up.
The Diamond Fairy, the Sapphire Fairy, the Golden Fairy and the Silver Fairy come to congratulate Aurora and Désiré.
Aurora and Désiré, the radiant newly-weds, perform a festive duet.
Apotheosis
General rejoicing. The fountains are playing. The Lilac Fairy, symbolising the eternal triumph and victory of Good, rises above the gushing cascade.
