“Rose Adagio“ SLEEPING BEAUTY (Margot Fonteyn)

Here’s a newly restored video from what I believe is a 1969 film of Margot Fonteyn at age 50! It’s clear her solid technique was still intact, but what is more obvious is the complete joy she portrays, and the correct musical tempo. Too often today the music is destroyed by ultra slow tempi so that the ballerinas can get their legs up this ruins the drama and logic of the choreography. In this film it’s much clearer the intent of both the composer, Tchaikovsky (in one of his most sublime and exciting compositions for ballet) and the choreographer Marius Petipa. This is supposed to be about a 16 year-old Princess trying to decide on a suitor.