A magical adventure A snowy forest, a warm fire blazing away, magical presents, a magnificent Christmas tree and a giant house made of gingerbread. What more could you want at Christmas? All these things and more can be found in the ballet The Nutcracker. This dance classic is part of Christmas every year in theatres all over the world. Once you have seen it, you will know why. It is the definitive Christmas entertainment, and delights audiences of all ages who fall under its spell.
The first Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet set to music by the famous Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893). The show premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg on December 18, 1892. It is difficult to believe now, but the original production was a bit of a flop. Critics thought the dancing was heavy and boring, but Tchaikovsky did not care.
He put together a 20-minute piece of music using parts of the ballet score. This concert piece became very popular. Forgetting the flop of the first production, other ballet companies began to stage new versions of the full Nutcracker, and the show took off.
It is now performed regularly by ballet companies everywhere, and parts of the music ring out in shopping malls every Christmas. What Tchaikovsky would have thought of this is anyone's guess!
Clara's Christmas Eve
