FIRST POSITION
The Rose Adagio ANATOMY OF A SCENE Soloist Aoi Fujiwara shares her experience performing the iconic Rose Adagio.
By Kharma Grimes
STORYTELLING More than just a technical feat, the Rose Adagio is a storytelling moment where
ROSE SYMBOLISM The delicate roses Princess Aurora holds are not just for aesthetics—it represents
every interaction matters. Soloist Aoi Fujiwara explains, “How I look at the suitors or how I let go of their arm could change the story
her blossoming into womanhood. One by one, each suitor offers her a rose, and she collects them in her left hand to cherish for the rest of the Rose Adagio
completely. What matters is that I am telling the story.”
section. “She is surprised by this moment and is excited about her future,” Fujiwara explains.
TRUSTFUL TURNS Each suitor takes
Princess Aurora’s hand in turn, guiding her through a
promenade, a slow, controlled turn on one foot while the supporting partner rotates her. This requires immense trust, as Aurora must maintain balance while shifting from one suitor to the next.
ICONIC BALANCES One of the most defining moments of the Rose Adagio
is the series of sustained balances in attitude, a position where one leg is lifted and bent at the knee while the supporting leg remains en pointe. These moments of control require immense strength and stability as she transitions between suitors, maintaining a regal and effortless demeanor.
FEW MOMENTS IN BALLET are as breathtaking and iconic as the Rose Adagio from The Sleeping Beauty . This celebrated passage, performed in the first act, marks Princess Aurora’s ipnrtersoednut ci nt igo nh et ro ws oi tchi eat yr oa ss es. hTeh me seceet ns eh’ es rmf oous tr fsaumi t oo ur ss , e a c h cbho at hl l et nh ge eb iasl liet sr i snear’ si etse oc hf np ircoal lo pn rgoewd ebsasl aanncde tsh, se hcohwa rcaacsti enrg’ s yoFuothrfdual necxecirtse,mtheenRt.ose Adagio is a pinnacle of classical tSeocl ho ni sitqAu oe .i IFt udj iewmaarna d, ws hi mo mi s emn saek icnogn ht reorl ,dset br eunt gatshA, aunr do raar, t i s t r y. sohnaeroe fs ,t h“ teh mi s obsatl lcel ta si ss ipc ha yl saincda l fl ay ma no du st epci he cnei cs a, lal ny dv eI rf ye ehl aprrdo. uI td’ st o beTpheerfporrempianrgatiito.”n for this role extends beyond rehearsals.
Pc hooi notsei nsgh ot he es pr ilgahy tapcariur cciaanl ri oml ep ai nc tt ah ed apne rc feorr’ smaabni cl iet y, atnode x e c u t e tt hh ei s dbeaml l ea tn, dI ifnogu nb da l sa onfcteesr . s“ hI oneosr mw ao lrl ky bweetat er rhfaorrdt shhe obeasl, abnucte fso r anWd jhuimleptsh,”e Fteucjihwnaicraaleexlpemlaiennst.s of the Rose Adagio are undeniably challenging, storytelling remains paramount. Aurora, just 16 years old, is stepping into the world for the first twi mo rel da fstienrc he ehrepr acrherni st st ei nn itne gn tai so na abl layb ky e. “pI t wh ae nr thti od ds eh no wf r ommy tohwe n At huarno rj ua s—t thheer be ax cl ai tnecme se; ni tt ,’ sn ae br vo ouut sbnr ei ns sg ,i na gn dh ewr ocnhdaer ra. cItte’ sr mt oolri ef e . ” The Rose Adagio remains a defining moment in ballet heqisutaolrym, deaesmuarne.ding both athleticism and storytelling in
HOUSTON BALLET
11
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker