How often does this happen in the Twin Cities? A large classical Russian ballet company performs a full-length, fairy-tale chestnut packed with a stage full of tiaras and tutus, floating princesses and gallant princes in tights — and on a weekend no less? Not very often.

So get ready for the Russian National Ballet Theatre’s production of Marius Petipa’s "Sleeping Beauty" on Friday and Saturday nights (Jan. 30-31) at the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s score, the three-act production based on Charles Perrault’s fairy tale is considered by many dance scholars to be one of the most-outstanding choreographic achievements within the genre of classical ballet.

Here’s a YouTube promo for a recent appearance.

Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow in the late 1980s as a repository of classical Russian ballets and more contemporary dance forms. Sergei Radchenko, a Bolshoi Ballet soloist, was appointed artistic director in 1994. Since then, the troupe has focused on performing the major works of Russian Ballet.

"Sleeping Beauty" reportedly blends gesture and mime, expressive choreography and rigorous divertissements to produce a choreographic spectacle. In other words, you know the story; the sets and costumes may be lavish or not. The reason to see the show is the dancing, which if done in true Russian tradition, should take your breath away.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre’s "Sleeping Beauty." 8 p.m. Friday (Jan. 30) and Saturday (Jan. 31). Northrop Auditorium, 105 Northrop, 84 Church St. SE, Minneapolis. ($33-$65) 612-624-2345. Details.