ABOUT THE BALLET

First performed by the Imperial Russian Ballet at the Maryinski Theatre, St. Petersburg, in December, 1892, The Nutcracker ballet was a collaborative effort. Master choreographer Maruis Petipa (1819-1910), a Frenchman, set the staging; Lev Ivanov (1834-1901) was the actual choreographer; and composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) wrote the score to follow Petipa's staging. The Ballet's story originates from a rather complex short story written in 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffman (1776-1822) called Der Nussknacker und Mausekonig (The Nutcracker and the Mouse King) and from a then popular French version of Hoffman's story written in 1845 by Alexander Dumas, père (1802-1870) titled Casse Noisette (The Nutcracker). Although not performed in this country until the 1940s, it has become a holiday favorite.

The Ballet is set in late 18th century Nuremberg, Germany at the home of the wealthy Dr. and Frau Stahlbaum. The Ballet is a nostalgic story of a family Christmas celebration and a little girl's fanciful dream of adventure, a Prince, and a far away Kingdom of Sweets!

SCENE ONE

Dr. Stahlbaum and his wife have prepared their house for a Christmas Eve party for their children Clara and Fritz. It is a wonderful party of dancing, games, and presents! Before long a family friend, the mysterious inventor Herr Drosselmeyer arrives. He brings two life-size dolls for the amusement of the guests. He also brings presents for Clara and Fritz. Clara's gift, a Nutcracker in the form of a soldier, is the most special of all.


Fritz, however, becomes jealous, grabs the Nutcracker from Clara, and breaks it. Clara is comforted by Herr Drosselmeyer who uses his handkerchief as a bandage for the injured Nutcracker. Before long it's time for all to go home. Prior to retiring for the night, Clara puts her Nutcracker safely to rest under the Christmas tree and is taken off to bed.

Yet Clara is unable to sleep. Worried about her broken toy, she returns to the great room at midnight. Cradling her Nutcracker, she falls blissfully asleep and has a most vivid dream.

It begins when she is surprised by mice. She tries to hide but cannot. Soon her brother's toy soldiers, led by the Nutcracker, come to the rescue. A great battle takes place culminating in a final duel between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Just as it seems her Nutcracker may lose, Clara bravely defeats the Mouse King.

SCENE TWO

It seems Clara's Nutcracker was enchanted, and her bravery has broken the spell. The Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome Prince. Clara's Prince invites her on a magical journey to his Kingdom of Sweets. Along the way they pass through a wintry forest ruled by a Snow Queen who is surrounded by dancing snowflakes.

SCENE THREE

Clara and the Prince arrive at a wonderful palace where they are greeted by the Sugarplum Fairy, ruler of the Kingdom of Sweets.

The Prince tells the Fairy and her Court about the great battle with the Mouse King and how Clara's bravery saved the day. Upon hearing of these great deeds, the Sugarplum Fairy and her Court greet Clara and bestow her with praise for saving their Prince. Clara is then seated on a candy throne as the subjects of the Kingdom of Sweets dance a series of beautiful divertissements in her honor. Clara is delighted with the performance, for the entire Court, it seems, is an entourage of her confectionery imagination and her dolls come to life (Chocolate/Spanish dance; Tea/Chinese dance; and Trepak/Russian dance); and childhood nursery tales Mirlitons (the shepherdesses) and Mother Gigogne (who is the old woman who lived in a shoe). Next, the Sugarplum Fairy performs the most beautiful dance of all.

SCENE FOUR

At the end of her dream, the Sugarplum Fairy returns her to the great room of her home. There, her father finds her asleep and takes her safely to bed.