The Greatest Ballet Fairy Tale of All Time

Music: P. I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography: L. Ivanov and M. Petipa
Edited by: E. Antsupova

The Nutcracker — Just in Time for Christmas

A magical Russian ballet classic for audiences of all ages, presented as a masterpiece with live orchestral accompaniment.

The ballet The Nutcracker is based on Alexandre Dumas’ adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Tchaikovsky’s musical version premiered in St. Petersburg on December 18, 1892, choreographed by Lev Ivanov, and has delighted both children and adults ever since.

Classical ballet art has often been praised by critics around the world. Yet, as the saying goes, “Better to see once than to hear a hundred times.” Experience the enchanting ballet The Nutcracker performed by the International Festival Ballet and the Festival Orchestra.

At the heart of the story is Marie, who receives a nutcracker from her godfather Drosselmeyer on Christmas Eve. When she falls asleep, she dreams of a battle between toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker and the army of the Mouse King. With her help, the Nutcracker triumphs and is transformed into a prince. He then takes Marie on a magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets, traveling through a snowy pine forest to Sugar Plum Castle, where the Sugar Plum Fairy hosts a grand celebration in honor of her guests.

Magnificent stage designs by renowned theatre designer Vyacheslav Okunev, known for his work at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan, together with beautiful costumes and the effortless elegance of the International Festival Ballet ensemble, create a dreamlike and magical version of this classical ballet that continues to enchant audiences more than a century after its creation.

Artistic Director: Elena Antsupova

The International Festival Ballet was founded in 2009 to preserve and represent the finest traditions and spirit of classical ballet.

The company unites dancers from more than 20 nations and promotes understanding and coexistence through the poetry of art, music, and dance. Artistically, the ensemble embodies the pure tradition of the Russian classical ballet school, combining strict elegance with influences of modern dance and the 21st century. The result is a performance of exceptional quality, enhanced by magnificent costumes and elaborate stage designs.

Classical ballet has a long-standing tradition in Eastern Europe, which continues to thrive today. Renowned ballet schools are known for their high standards and discipline, and their students for dedication, ambition, and extraordinary talent. The 42 dancers of the International Festival Ballet have trained at prestigious institutions such as the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, ballet academies in Ufa and Perm, schools in Kyiv and Kharkiv, as well as institutions such as La Scala in Italy and the Paris Opera Ballet School. Many have performed at Europe’s leading ballet theatres and won awards at international ballet competitions. Together, they have become one of the most aesthetically and technically accomplished ballet companies in Europe and beyond. Their performances combine precision, harmony, and elegance, delivering breathtaking dance experiences that captivate audiences worldwide.

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Artistic Director & Conductor: Normunds Vaicis

The Festival Orchestra was founded by talented musicians from Moldova, Ukraine, and Latvia. Its artistic director and chief conductor is the renowned Maestro Normunds Vaicis.

The orchestra’s repertoire includes works by Ravel, Debussy, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Fauré, Albéniz, Gounod, and many others. Music from classical ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don Quixote, and many others forms a central part of the repertoire.

The orchestra has collaborated with renowned ballet companies from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus and has performed with great success in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and other European countries. Despite its relatively modest size, the Festival Orchestra has established itself as one of Europe’s leading ballet orchestras. In the near future, it will accompany classical ballet seasons of the International Festival Ballet Company in Scandinavia, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria.