The Nutcracker

»Overcome with fear and dread, Marie’s heart had beaten so strongly, she thought that it must leap from her breast, and she would die; but now she felt as if the blood had frozen in her veins.« (E.T.A. Hoffmann, »The Nutcracker and the Mouse King«) What had happened to the young heroine? The Christmas celebration began so well, with one particular gift vanquishing Marie’s heart – a nutcracker. But the peaceful atmosphere is destroyed by the intrusion of a terrifying band of warlike mice, and the girl needs both great courage and the help of her new guardian in order to defeat this strange army. The experience to ensue proves extraordinarily intense, with the wooden nutcracker springing to life and travelling together with Marie to the land of sweet dreams …
Premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892, Peter I. Tchaikovsky’s »Nutcracker« has gone on to become one of the world’s most performed ballets. Bursting with melody, the music masterfully presents the multifaceted colour of the narrative scenes at the Christmas party as well as the resplendently magnificent dances in the dream section, treated as a series of divertissements. This production by Semperoper Ballett offers a traditional yet imaginative interpretation, setting the Christmas celebrations very close to home - in Dresden.

Synopsis

Ballet in two acts. Choreography by Aaron S. Watkin and Jason Beechey.

Running time 2 hours 30 minutes

Premiere 26 Nov 2011

Next Performances / Casting