Sleeping Beauty is a classic fairytale that is known throughout the world. It tells the story of a princess who falls asleep for 100 years, only to be awoken by a prince who had been searching for her all along. The tale has been adapted into many different forms, including literature, film and television, and most notably ballet. But which came first – the fairytale or the ballet?
The first written version of Sleeping Beauty was recorded by Giambattista Basile in 1634. This was not a fairytale, but an Italian literary fairy tale known as ‘Sun, Moon and Talia.’ It wasn’t until 1697 that Charles Perrault wrote his version of the story, titled ‘La Belle au Bois Dormant’ (The Beauty Sleeping in the Woods). This version is much closer to what we now know as Sleeping Beauty – it includes the spinning wheel pricking her finger and falling asleep for 100 years – but it does not feature any dancing or music like one would find in a ballet.
The earliest known ballet adaptation of Sleeping Beauty was created by Marius Petipa in 1890 for the Imperial Ballet of St Petersburg. Petipa’s version tells much of the same story as Perrault’s fairytale, but with added music and dance sequences.
It features some iconic moments from the original fairy tale such as Aurora’s spinning wheel pricking her finger and her being saved by Prince Florimund’s kiss. Petipa’s ballet was so successful that it has been performed all over the world ever since.
Conclusion:
So while Sleeping Beauty may have first appeared in literature, it was Marius Petipa’s adaptation for ballet that made it so popular around the world. Today this classic fairy tale continues to be told through literature, film and television – but its legacy will always be remembered through its beautiful ballet adaptation.