1. In what year was The Nutcracker first performed and where?

2. The music for The Nutcracker was composed by Tchaichovsky. Identify at least two other popular classical ballets with music composed by Tchaichovsky.

3. The original choreography for The Nutcracker was based on the work of master choreographer Marius Petipa in the late 1800s. Identify at least two other choreographers who have also set the Nutcracker, and the years their versions were performed.

4. Ballet originated in France, yet many popular classical ballet works, indeed perhaps the most popular, contain music by Russian composers. Compare the time period that these ballets were created (late 1800s) with what was going on socially and politically in Czarist Russia at the time. What conclusion do make as to why Russia created so many fine works of ballet during this time? (By the way, go to ORCBA's web site at www.orcba.org and review the information for the public performances of The Nutcracker and cast list. What do you suppose is the country of origin for ORCBA's public performance guest artists who will perform the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier?)

5. What is the name of the new musical instrument Tchaikovsky first heard during a visit to France that impressed him so much that he brought one back to Russia to incorporate as music for the Sugar Plum Fairy solo?