In this classic ballet, the familiar romance of the famous fairytale is enhanced by a deeper poetic symbolism as the lyrical exposition of beauty animated by love defeats the darker elements of ugliness and fate. Princess Aurora is cursed at her christening by the evil Carabosse, and is fated to die after pricking her finger on a spindle. Through the intervention of the Lilac Fairy, the curse of death becomes a long sleep, one from which Aurora is awakened by the heroic Prince Desiré. As their wedding joyfully brings together figures from throughout the fairytale world, can there be any doubt that both Prince and Princess will live happily ever after?

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