The Nutcracker in time for Christmas 

Fairytale Russian ballet art for young and old. A consummate work of art with live orchestral accompaniment.

The ballet "The Nutcracker" is based on Alexandre Dumas' version of the story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Tchaikovsky's musical adaptation premiered in St. Petersburg on December 18, 1892 under the choreography of Lev Ivanov and delighted children and adults alike. Experience the beautiful ballet "The Nutcracker" with the International Festival Ballet & Festival Orchestra.

Marie is at the center of it all. She receives a gift of a nutcracker from her godfather Drosselmeyer on Christmas Eve. When she goes to sleep, she dreams of a battle of the toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker against the army of the Mouse King. With their help, the Nutcracker is victorious and then transforms into a prince. The prince travels with Marie to the realm of sweets. The journey takes them through the fir forest to the castle of Zuckerburg, where the resident Sugar Plum Fairy holds a feast in honor of her guests.

In addition, the stage design by theater designer Vyacheslav Okunev, who has worked for Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan, among others, beautiful costumes and the boundless elegance and carefree lightness of the International Festival Ballet ensemble ensure a dreamy and fairy-tale version of a classical ballet that fascinates even after more than 100 years. 

• Music: P. I. Tchaikovsky
• Choreography: L. Ivanov and M. Petipa
• Editing: A. Bogutsky