Marius Petipa's demanding but enchanting choreography of Tchaikovsky's romantic fairytale The Sleeping Beauty is one of the best-loved of all classical ballets. This recording of Anthony Dowell's gloriously romantic 1994 production, with charming, dreamlike designs by Maria Bjørnson, features an all-star cast led by Viviana Durante as a charismatic Princess Aurora, Zoltán Solymosi as a delightful Prince Florimund and Anthony Dowell as a wonderfully dishevelled Carabosse. The Royal Ballet, in exceptionally fine form, is beautifully accompanied by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducted by Barry Wordsworth.Princess Aurora: Viviana DurantePrince Florimund: Zoltán SolymosiCarabosse: Anthony DowellLilac Fairy: Benazir HusseinKing Florestan: William TuckettThe Queen: Elizabeth McGorian
