Do you know the story behind The Nutcracker history and how it all began?
December marks the month of The Nutcracker all around the world. Most major ballet companies have in their repertoire this important ballet. No matter where you live, there’s most likely a Nutcracker production. Each ballet troupe may have a slightly different variation. But what they do have in common is
“… the magnificent music, full of the darkness as well as the delights of winter; a great
Tchaikovsky composed the score to The Nutcracker ballet. Courtesy of wikipedia.org
transformation where a home becomes unfamiliar ground on which a battle between good and evil is fought; a journey to a land of ice and snow; and a conclusion in the Kingdom of Sweets where there is a lot of pretty dancing.
In every audience, there will be expectant children who have been taken to The Nutcracker as a Christmas treat. It may well be the first ballet they have seen; in some cases it could be the last. Given that it is a ballet full of children — its heroine is a young girl called Clara, and it starts at a children’s party …”
The True Story Behind The Nutcracker History
From the start, the ballet was plagued with obstacles:
“Tchaikovsky didn’t like the plot, which took its theme from a story by one of the key figures in German Romanticism, ETA Hoffman.
Marius Petipa [choreographer], the great inspiration of the Russian Imperial Ballet, fell ill just as rehearsals began, and handed over the work to his apprentice Lev Ivanov…
…when The Nutcracker opened in 1892, it prompted one of the most damning putdowns in dance history. ‘The authors of ballet librettos never weary the intellect of lovers of choreography,’ wrote the incandescent critic. ‘But The Nutcracker has no story at all.’
Shortly afterwards, it virtually vanished from the repertoire.
But Tchaikovsky’s score was simply too good to lose; so ever since, various choreographers have tried to solve this undoubted difficulty in different ways.”
The Nutcracker History first staged in 1892. Courtesy of wikipedia.org
To read the full story, click here.
The plot takes place in two acts.
In Act I it is Christmas Eve at the Silberhaus home with their children Clara and Fritz. Guests arrive to celebrate, including Herr Drosselmeyer, talented toymaker, magician and Clara’s godfather. He brings toys for the children, but a special one is reserved for Clara, a wooden nutcracker. Fritz manages to break it. However, Drosselmeyer fixes it for Clara. The party comes to an end: the children are sent to bed and the guests say their goodbyes.
Later that night, Clara returns to the parlor to check on her Nutcracker, but is surprised by life-size mice and soldiers. Her Nutcracker grows, as does the Christmas tree. A battle ensues between the mice, led by their King Mouse and the soldiers, led by the Nutcracker.
Finally, the Nutcracker kills the King Mouse and
“the mice retreat as the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome Prince. He leads Clara through the moonlit night to a pine forest in which the snowflakes dance around them.”
In Act II the Prince takes Clara to the Land of Sweets, where different candies and characters from around the world entertain her.
The Nutcracker history as well as it’s plot is one of overcoming obstacles and of the triumph of good over evil with a heart-warming outcome. I encourage you to attend your local performance and share the story and history behind this beloved ballet by clicking “Share” below.
About Romy Macias, Senior Editor
