Art and athleticism will blend into one on Sunday.

But not for the Super Bowl — for the ballet.

As part of its first North American tour, the Russian National Ballet will perform “Sleeping Beauty” at Stephens Auditorium.

The performance is expected to be a visual spectacle that will feature lavish costumes, a fanciful set, Tchaikovsky’s moving score and internationally-acclaimed professional ballet dancers.

“It’s very rare to see something like this outside of the big cities or the coast,” said Shelly Tonderum, performing arts coordinator for the Iowa State Center. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people to see a full-length, classical ballet.”

Choreographed by Marius Petipa, “Sleeping Beauty” premiered for the Russian Tsar and the royal court in 1890. Since its premier, the ballet has had a lasting influence on the dance world.

Throughout its years of production, “Sleeping Beauty” is one of the few ballets that has remained close to its original choreography.

The first act opens with the christening of baby Princess Aurora during which several fairies bestow the princess with the gifts of beauty, charm and grace.

Later, a sinister fairy named Carabosse, who wasn’t invited to the christening, enters and gives Aurora the gift of death.

After Carabosse’s spell has been cast, the last good fairy, Lilac, appears. Though she can’t reverse Carabosse’s spell, she changes Carabosse’s death sentence into 100 years of sleep.

As the second act opens, the princess has grown up and is celebrating her 16th birthday. Amidst Aurora’s celebrations, Carabosse appears disguised, and gives the princess a spindle. Aurora “accidentally” pricks her finger and falls into a deep 100-year sleep.

At the end of Aurora’s extended nap, Lilac, who is still alive and kicking, appears to a young prince and gives him visions of the sleeping Aurora. As any good prince would do, he falls in love with the beautiful princess and is led by Lilac to the castle where she is sleeping. With his kiss, she is awakened.

The last act is the celebration of the couple’s wedding, complete with dancing nymphs, fairies and a final pas de deux (dance for two) performed by the prince and princess.

It’s a well-known story performed by a well-known ballet company.

The relatively young Russian Ballet was created in Moscow in the late 1980s to uphold the national tradition of the major Russian ballets.

Many of the dancers have previously performed in great Russian ballet companies such as the Bolshoi Ballet and the Kirov Ballet. “Sleeping Beauty” has provided an opportunity for one of the world’s best companies to use their talents for what is known as a ballet masterpiece.

“Sleeping Beauty” will be held at Stephens Auditorium on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets for students are $9, $12, $15 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster locations.