The Nutcracker is a ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky with a libretto by Marius Petipa, based on the fairy tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann, created and first presented to the public in 1892. In Hoffmann’s fairy tale, the girl’s name is Mary (the main character), and her favorite doll is Clara. Marius Petipa used this version for his libretto.

First act.

On Christmas Eve, guests begin to gather at Dr. Stahlbaum’s house.
His children Marie and Fritz are waiting with the other children to receive their presents.
The last guest is Drosselmeyer, Marie’s godfather and a magician.
His ability to bring toys to life fascinates and frightens the children.
The godfather presents Marie with the Nutcracker.
The party ends and the guests dance a farewell dance.
Marie returns to her room and hugs the Nutcracker.

And then the action moves into Marie’s dream.
The walls of her room slide open, the Christmas tree starts to grow, and the Christmas decorations come to life.
The Mouse King appears with his mouse army.
The Nutcracker and his soldiers fight fiercely and defeat the Mouse King.
The Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince.

Second act.

Marie and the Prince and the dolls that have come to life are rejoicing, celebrating and dancing under the starry sky near a fantastically beautiful Christmas tree.
There is a blizzard around them.
Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Slavic dolls are dancing in the joy of defeating the Mouse King, who represented evil.
Fairies and pages are all around.
Everyone is preparing for the wedding of Marie and the Prince.
The Throttleman appears and everything changes again.
Marie wakes up with the Nutcracker in her arms.
What a beautiful, clever and relevant fairy tale!!! A fairy tale where a dream transforms life, where good triumphs over evil, where kindness changes the world for the better.

Choreography: Valeriy Kovtun

Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Libretto based on Ernest Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann’s fairy tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”: Marius Petipa