Russian National Ballet Theatre to Present SLEEPING BEAUTY at Three Stages, Now thru 2/7

Under the artistic direction of the legendary Elena Radchenko, a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet, the Russian National Ballet Theatre brings The Sleeping Beauty to Three Stages. Founded during Perestroika, the company is today its own institution comprised of exquisite dancers of singular instruction and vast experience.

"Since opening in 2011, Three Stages has brought a number of strong Russian companies to the capital region," notes Executive Director Dave Pier. "The Sleeping Beauty will be elegantly performed and lovely to see."

The Russian National Ballet Theatre's The Sleeping Beauty will be performed at Three Stages tonight, February 5, Wednesday, February 6, and Thursday, February 7; all performances begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $29-$49, Premium tickets are available for $59. Tickets may be purchased online at www.threestages.net or from Three Stages Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Three Stages is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, Calif., facing East Bidwell Street.

The Sleeping Beauty is often considered the finest achievement of the classical ballet. Tchaikovsky was delighted with the invitation to write the music for a ballet based on Charles Perrault's well-known fairy tale. A baby princess, condemned at her christening by an evil fairy to prick her finger and die on her 16th birthday, is saved by the gift of the good Lilac Fairy, who declares the princess will only sleep until awakened by the kiss of a prince. "The Russian National Ballet's production of "The Sleeping Beauty" enchanted the audience" (Toledo Free Press).

The Sleeping Beauty was the first of Marius Petipa's classics to be seen in Western Europe. Born Victor Marius Alphonse Petipa, he was the inventor of modern classical ballet. During the latter half of the 19th century, Petipa elevated Russian ballet to international acclaim and recognition.

Under the title The Sleeping Princess, it was presented by Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929) in London in 1921. In 1939, it was remounted in Great Britain and has been considered the foundation of the classical ballet repertory in that country ever since. It has now been adopted worldwide, and performance of the leading role remains a kind of initiation rite for aspiring ballerinas.