Fairy tales and classical music go hand in hand—both deal in magic, transformation, love, danger, and triumph over darkness.
No wonder composers across the centuries have turned to fantastical stories for inspiration. From enchanted forests and talking animals to cursed castles and magical birds, these works channel the whimsy and wonder of fairy tales through orchestration, opera, and ballet.
Some draw directly from beloved stories like Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, while others invent their own dreamlike worlds or tap into folklore traditions from Russia to the Middle East. Whether written for children or rich in adult symbolism, each work captures the storytelling power of music.
Our favourite pieces of music inspired by fairytales
1. Humperdinck Hansel und Gretel
Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel (1893) is a richly orchestrated opera based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Blending folk-inspired melodies with Wagnerian harmonies, it brings the story of two lost children, a wicked witch, and a magical gingerbread house to life. Though written for children (indeed, it's one of the best pieces of classical music for children), its musical sophistication has made it a staple of the opera repertoire.
2. Delius Eventyr (Once Upon a Time...)
One of Delius’s finest tone poems, Eventyr evokes the darkly thrilling world of Nordic fairy tales, especially 'Soria Moria Castle' from the Asbjørnsen and Moe collection Norwegian Folktales. Shimmering orchestration conjures dense forests and distant castles, while bursts of eerie drama bring the supernatural to life—listen out for the blood-curdling shout of trolls chasing the fleeing hero through this atmospheric, spine-tingling musical adventure.
3. Ravel Ma Mere L’oye (Mother Goose)
Ravel’s Mother Goose is a masterpiece of delicate orchestration and vivid imagination, capturing the magic of childhood with exquisite finesse. Inspired by classic fairy tales—from Sleeping Beauty to Beauty and the Beast—it conjures a world of wonder through shimmering textures and tender melodies. Few composers evoke enchantment so effortlessly; Mother Goose remains one of the most evocative and charming musical tributes to the timeless power of storytelling.
4. Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty
Tchaikovsky’s second ballet is a jewel of the repertoire, blending lyrical beauty, rich orchestration, and theatrical flair. Inspired by Perrault’s fairy tale, it captures both courtly elegance and magical fantasy—from the sinister Carabosse to the radiant Lilac Fairy. With its dazzling waltzes and soaring melodies, it’s no wonder this enchanting score became one of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved works and a definitive musical portrait of fairy-tale romance.
- We named Sleeping Beauty one of the best Christmas ballets and Tchaikovsky one of the greatest ballet composers of all time
5. Rimsky-Korsakov Sadko
A dazzling orchestral fantasy rooted in Russian folklore, Sadko is based on the legend of a wandering minstrel who visits the magical underwater kingdom of the Sea Tsar, the piece brims with exotic colour, rich harmonies, and vivid storytelling. Rimsky’s mastery of orchestration brings this fairytale world to life—complete with shimmering seascapes, swirling dances, and a sense of wonder that makes Sadko unforgettable.
6. Bartók Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
A dark, psychological take on the fairytale genre, Bartók's one-act opera delves into the eerie legend of Bluebeard and his new bride, Judith, who insists on opening the seven locked doors in his castle. Bartók’s hauntingly atmospheric score, infused with Hungarian folk influence and impressionistic colour, builds unbearable tension as each door reveals a deeper emotional truth. A chilling, powerful exploration of love, mystery, and hidden horrors.
7. Stravinsky The Firebird
Stravinsky’s The Firebird is a dazzling ballet rooted in Russian fairytales, particularly the legend of a magical bird who helps a heroic prince defeat an evil sorcerer. Blending folkloric storytelling with bold, modernist brilliance, the music shifts between shimmering enchantment and fierce, rhythmic drive. Its vibrant orchestration and rich atmosphere launched Stravinsky’s international career—and remains one of the most thrilling fairytale-inspired works ever written.
8. Prokofiev Cinderella
Prokofiev can be relied on to inject some charm, wit and romance into anything he touches - and that's definitely the case with his ballet Cinderella. His lush, lyrical score paints the story in vivid musical colours—from the bustling comic scenes with the ugly stepsisters to the tender, radiant love theme. With sparkling orchestration and elegant dance rhythms, Cinderella captures both the magic and humanity of the tale, making it one of the most beloved fairytale ballets in the repertoire.
9. Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf
Staying with Prokofiev, his 1936 'symphonic tale' Peter and the Wolf is a delightful musical fable that introduces children to the orchestra through a charming narrated Russian folk story. Each character is represented by a unique instrument and theme—Peter by the strings, the bird by the flute, the wolf by the French horns—making it an imaginative, fairytale-inspired journey that teaches both storytelling and musical appreciation in a fun, unforgettable way.
10. Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade is a dazzling orchestral suite inspired by the exotic tales of One Thousand and One Nights. With vivid, sensuous orchestration and recurring violin solos representing the clever storyteller herself, the piece conjures enchanted seas, daring adventures, and magical lands. Its rich storytelling and vivid characterisation make it one of the most thrilling and evocative uses of fairytale in classical music.
11. Carl Orff Der Mond (The Moon)
There's more to Carl Orff (pictured) than Carmina Burana, you know. Der Mond is a quirky, satirical one-act opera based on a Brothers Grimm fairytale. With bold rhythms, chant-like melodies, and Orff’s signature theatrical flair, it tells the story of a group of villagers who steal the moon - and suffer the consequences. Both humorous and dark, the opera captures the absurd logic and moral undertones of traditional fairytales, wrapped in Orff’s uniquely percussive and elemental musical language.
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