Houston ballet s performances of the nutcracker generously sponsored by. The narrated story of the nutcracker ballet in under 5 minutes. Hoffmanns 1816 fairy tale, on which the ballet is based, is troubling. Excitement runs high as last minute preparations are made. The ferocious king of the mice challenges the nutcracker to a duel. Clara makes a desperate move to save her nutcracker from defeat and throws her slipper at the mouse king, hitting him directly on the head. Peter tchaikovsky, the famous russian composer, was commissioned by mastermind choreographer marius petipa to compose the ballet, score based on. Be sure to check out the nutcracker site before you decide where you will see a holiday performance of the nutcracker. Her brother becomes jealous of the nutcracker and breaks it.
The nutcracker ballet actually started as a story written by german author e. Hoffmann, the ballet opens with the lively christmas party that is hosted by the stahlbaum family, its victorian setting captured in opulent detail by julia. They enjoy a picnic excursion with friends in the country. Hoffmanns 1816 tale the nutcracker and the mouse king had been adapted by alexandre dumas he of three musketeers fame in 1844, and it was a ballet based on this version that was. After the battle, the nutcracker turns into a handsome prince. The community nutcracker of jacksonville guides you through each act with full scene descriptions. Once again drosselmeyer calls upon his magic and the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome boy. I love the tradition that comes with the nutcracker. For more information, please call houston ballet box office at 7. Story of the nutcracker st petersburg ballet conservatory. Boston ballet welcomes children and families to all of our performances, and attending the ballet is a wonderful experience to share with your children. Kevin mckenzie, artistic director with pacific symphony one of the great joys of the holiday season, american ballet theatre returns with its critically acclaimed production of the nutcracker.
Peter tchaikovsky, the famous russian composer, was commissioned by mastermind choreographer marius petipa to compose the ballet, score based on alexandre dumass adaptation of e. Claras quick thinking helps the nutcracker defeat the king of the mice. Heck, shes barely touching the line of being a nerd. After the party, marie falls asleep on the sofa with her nutcracker. Magically, he transforms the nutcracker into a dashing prince. Synopsis of tchaikovskys nutcracker ballet liveabout. The nutcracker ballet story, characters, and performances. Shes a total bookworm, always choosing to sit in the common room and read a good book rather than. Although what is seen on the stage today is different in. Here are five of the greatest stories in ballet there are of course many more. If youve never seen this ballet, or you need a refresher on the story, weve provided a synopsis for you below. The book has beautiful pictures carry the text along and make the story come to life.
As prima ballerina, she makes a triumphant debut as the sugar plum fairy in the nutcracker. The story begins at the home of the young girl we will call her marie on christmas eve. Free shipping get free shipping free 58 day shipping within the u. Fancl proudly presents the nutcracker hk ballet hk ballet. The last of his three ballets, it was first performed in december 1892.
It takes great skill to act on stage, whislt still mastering the difficult technique of ballet. Godfather drosselmeier and his apprentice nephew had worked long and hard preparing this years magical gifts and were putting the final touches on their creations. Marie, a young girl, falls in love with a nutcracker doll, whom she only sees come alive when she falls asleep. Alexandre dumas peres adaptation of the story by e. The nutcracker catapults the company into the international arena. The story of the nutcracker ballet picturebackr and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Shchelkunchik listen help info is an 1892 twoact ballet fairy ballet. Heartbroken, clara begs uncle drosselmeyer for help.
The stories are full of love, fantasy and expression. The nutcracker dancers stories american midwest ballet. History of the nutcracker pacific northwest ballet. The prince tells the story of the battle with the mice, describing how marie helped him defeat. The nutcracker tells a story about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on christmas eve and wages a battle against the evil mouse king. On christmas eve, nearing the end of her life, she relives her past. It was originally called the nutcracker and the king of mice. He also choreographed for broadway and hollywood musicals.
Libretto by yuri grigorovich after the fairytale of the same name. Hoffmanns original story, nutcracker and mouse king, is darker. The mouse king traps the nutcracker in the corner, but the nutcracker cant overcome the mouse kings strength. The synopsis nycb new york city ballet official site. The nutcracker leads the toy soldiers into battle with the mice, and marie helps him by throwing her slipper at the fierce mouse king, who the nutcracker then slays.
Louis ballet s version of the nutcracker, i played roles such as party girl, soldier, candy cane, and russian. Hoffmann was set to music by tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by marius petipa. After the party marie comforts the doll and falls asleep. Set to tchaikovskys score, this ballet is the christmas favourite for young and old. The nutcracker ballet story the most common of many variations the nutcracker ballet is based on the story the nutcracker and the king of mice written by e. Ticket holders are entitled to redeem a complimentary fancl x hk ballet the nutcracker doll christmas edition at selected fancl shops in hong kong, from 1 december 2019 to 15 january 2020. However, infants and children under 2 years of age are not allowed in the theater. Dumas story was an adaptation of the dark fairytale the nutcracker and the mouse king, written by e. Kc ballet performs the nutcracker during the holiday season.
The family in his story, in contrast to the ballet, is called stahlbaum. Now that the mouse king is dead, an ancient spell has been broken, and the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. Learn the stories behind renowned companies such as the royal ballet and the bolshoi ballet. Dance of the sugar plum fairy from the nutcracker the. The nutcracker story the nutcracker was first presented 123 years ago at the mariinsky theatre in st. Travel with curious clara and her handsome prince as they journey through a kingdom filled with colorful characters and pure holiday magic. Shes a prefect, ballet dancer, debate team member and even vice president of the writing club. Hoffmann, and an interpretation of hoffmans story written by alexandre dumas. As the edwards family prepare for their christmas party, clara imagines the wonderful things that might happen. Just as the mouse king is about to overpower the nutcracker doll, clara distracts him, allowing the nutcracker to strike the winning blow.
Among them is a nutcracker given to marie which she loves. This is designed to quickly educate the nondance oriented about this wonderful. The classic christmas story ballet the origin of the nutcracker, a classic christmas story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a familys christmas eve celebration. While the original story was centered around a girl named marie and was considered dark and scary, french writer alexandre dumas adapted it to be much lighter. The plot of hoffmanns story and dumas adaptation was greatly simplified for the twoact ballet. The king rat attacks the nutcracker, but clara hits him with her shoe and the nutcracker wins the battle. Moscow ballet great russian nutcracker celebration dance. The story of the nutcracker ballet is a beautiful, classic book about the story everybody knows. The dancers have to carry the story, as well as interpret the role. Connecticut nutcracker ballet performance directory the nutcracker ballet nutcracker performance listings are provided by state and city and by the company performing the nutcracker ballet. The nutcracker prince musters his toy infantry and the cavalry. Moscow ballet s acclaimed great russian nutcracker is a holiday tradition in households across north america, and has been enjoyed by prominent figures, including former first family barack and michelle obama, a memory she retells in her 2018 bestselling memoir becoming. The nutcracker is able to overcome the stunned mouse king and claims victory.
Hoffmann was set to music by tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by. Hoffmanns tale contains a long flashback story within its main. The story of the nutcracker ballet scene descriptions. Grandparents and guests begin to arrive to celebrate the holiday with clara, fritz and their parents. The nutcracker ballet is based on the story the nutcracker and the king of mice written by e.
The nutcracker prince transforms the stahlbaums house into the land of snow. Already famous as a ballerina, clara is presented to the tsar and tsarina at an imperial ball. The story of the nutcracker ballet by deborah hautzig. The orchard book of stories from the ballet by geraldine. Herr drosselmeier, maries godfather brings many gifts for the children. The nutcracker is based on the book the nutcracker and the mouse king, by e. The stahlbaums had prepared for their annual christmas celebration all day. The ballet of the nutcracker was inspired by the book the story of a nutcracker by alexandre dumas. The nutcracker ballet was written during the classical period of ballet, a time when many famous ballets were being written and performed. Discover more than 70 of the most famous ballet dances, from the nutcracker and swan lake to the rite of spring. How tchaikovskys nutcracker became a christmas classic. This is designed to quickly educate the nondance oriented about this wonderful story ballet. Drosselmeier and his magical toys on christmas eve.
This dk visual guide to ballet history goes beyond other ballet books, with beautiful photography that captures famous dancers and key stories. Read here about this ballet classic, about the history and where we will be performance this ballet together with other russian ballet performances. Lifesized toy soldiers, led by the valiant nutcracker, come to her rescue. Nutcracker story the nutcracker the nutcracker san jose.
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