The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker (Russian: Щелкунчик, romanized: Shchelkunchik, Op. T. A. The ballet's first choreographer was Marius Petipa, assisted by Lev Ivanov. Although the complete staged ballet was not initially as successful as the 20-minute Nutcracker Suite premiered nine months earlier, it became popular in later years.
- Composer
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Premiere venue
- Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Genre
- Classical ballet (ballet-féerie)
- Opus
- 71
- First choreographer
- Marius Petipa (assisted by Lev Ivanov)
Lore & Background
After the success of The Sleeping Beauty in 1890, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, director of the Imperial Theatres, commissioned Tchaikovsky to compose a double-bill program featuring both an opera (Iolanta) and a ballet. The material chosen was an adaptation of Hoffmann's story by Dumas. Petipa gave Tchaikovsky extremely detailed instructions for each number, down to tempo and bars. Completion was interrupted when Tchaikovsky visited the United States for 25 days to conduct concerts for the opening of Carnegie Hall; he composed parts of The Nutcracker in Rouen, France. The first performance was held as a double premiere with Iolanta on 18 December [O.S. The performance was conducted by Riccardo Drigo, with Antonietta Dell'Era as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Unlike many later productions, children's roles were performed by real children from the Imperial Ballet School.
Reader's Guide
Major American ballet companies generate around 40% of their annual ticket revenues from performances of the ballet. Its score, noted for its use of the celesta, has become one of Tchaikovsky's most famous compositions and has been used in several film adaptations. The first complete U.S. Since then, many choreographers have created their own versions, some departing radically from the original libretto.
Did You Know?
- Tchaikovsky composed parts of The Nutcracker in Rouen, France, after visiting the United States for the opening of Carnegie Hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the story of The Nutcracker conclude?
After defeating the Mouse King, the Nutcracker transforms into a prince and takes Clara to the Land of Sweets. The final act features a series of national dances and a grand pas de deux before the couple's wedding celebration.
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