Once Upon a Time

Fairy tales intertwine in Once Upon a Time – A Thousand Tales, a story ballet that stitches childhood classics into one enchanting journey. Led by the White Rabbit, each scene opens the door to another beloved tale, creating a seamless adventure bursting with imagination.

Created by Alberta Ballet’s Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia, this production premiered as A Thousand Tales in 2023 on the Dubai Opera stage. It blends iconic stories like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Swan Lake, and Aladdin into a spellbinding narrative, with choreography that seamlessly fuses classical ballet and theatrical storytelling. As Times of Oman describes, every moment unfolds like turning the pages of a cherished book, drawing audiences into “countless literary worlds plucked from the top shelf of our childhood bookcase."

Roberta Guidi Di Bagno’s exquisite sets and costume design bring this vision to life, creating a world as enchanting as the stories themselves. Paired with a breathtaking musical score from Alexey Shor, Once Upon a Time – A Thousand Tales is a feast for the senses, immersing audiences in fairytale wonder.