It is not possible to imagine classical ballet without the music of Tchaikovsky. The scores of his three full length ballets provide the dramatic impetus and emotional underpinning of the works. None more so than The Sleeping Beauty, written in 1893, the most perfectly wrought of his scores; described as ‘classical in its restraint, especially compared with the hyper-romanticism of Swan Lake’. The Sleeping Beauty score will be heard in its greatness in a new production by The Australian Ballet premiering in Melbourne on 15 September, before going to Perth and Sydney.

The production will be directed by David McAllister. He describes it as ‘a classical retelling, based on Marius Pepita’s (original) ballet, but shaped to reflect the concerns and responsibilities of a modern-day monarchy.’ Just as the score represents the peak of ballet’s golden age, McAllister wants the production to reflect the glory of the art form and majesty of the music. Settings and costumes will be in the style of Louis XIV designed by Gabriela Tylesova famous for the richness of her design concepts. Musically the production will be in the care of Nicolette Fraillon.

The Grimm fairy story on one level depicts the contest between good and evil but the complexity of Tchaikovsky’s score permits it to be seen as a psychological study of difficult choices with dramatic twists and turns bringing emotional maturity. This production is likely to honour an undoubted masterpiece.