Origins and History
The Nutcracker ballet premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 18, 1892. It was choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, with music composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The ballet was based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's 1816 story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," though using a gentler adaptation by Alexandre Dumas père called "The Story of a Nutcracker."
Interestingly, the ballet's first production was not considered a success. Critics found the music too complex for a children's story, and some felt the balance between dancing and pantomime was poor. The only part that received unanimous praise was Tchaikovsky's Act I Suite, which had been performed separately nine months before the ballet's premiere.
The Music
Tchaikovsky's score for The Nutcracker has become one of the composer's most famous works. The music is notable for its use of the celesta, a new instrument at the time, which creates the distinctive sound in the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." The score features some of the most recognizable melodies in classical music, including the "March," "Russian Dance (Trepak)," and "Waltz of the Flowers." The orchestration is rich and innovative, with specific musical themes representing different characters and scenes.
The Story
Act I - The Christmas Party
The Opening Scene
The ballet opens in the Stahlbaum home on Christmas Eve. The family is decorating their Christmas tree, and there's a palpable sense of excitement. Children Clara (or Marie, depending on the version) and her brother Fritz are eagerly awaiting the evening's celebrations. The parents are busy making final preparations for their annual Christmas party.
The Christmas Party
Guests begin to arrive, including children from other families. The party comes alive with traditional group dances and social games. A key moment arrives when Clara's godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, makes his entrance. Drosselmeyer is a skilled toymaker and something of a magical figure, known for his ability to create intricate mechanical toys.
The Night's Magic Begins
After the party, Clara sneaks downstairs to check on her nutcracker. As the clock strikes midnight, strange things begin to happen. The Christmas tree grows to enormous proportions, and the room fills with an army of mice led by the fearsome Mouse King.
The Battle
The Nutcracker comes to life and leads an army of toy soldiers against the mice. This battle scene is one of the ballet's most dramatic moments, featuring intricate choreography that depicts the conflict between the two armies. When the Mouse King corners the Nutcracker, Clara throws her shoe at him, providing the distraction needed for the Nutcracker to defeat him.
The Transformation
After the battle, the Nutcracker transforms into a handsome prince. In gratitude for Clara's help, he invites her on a journey through the Land of Snow. This scene features the famous "Waltz of the Snowflakes," where dancers create a stunning winter wonderland.
Act II - The Land of Sweets
The Journey
Clara and the Prince travel through a pine forest where snowflakes dance around them. They arrive at the Kingdom of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince recounts the story of the battle and Clara's bravery.
The Celebrations
The Sugar Plum Fairy hosts a grand celebration in Clara's honor, consisting of a series of divertissements (short dances):
- Spanish Dance (Chocolate): A fiery, passionate dance
- Arabian Dance (Coffee): A sinuous, exotic performance
- Chinese Dance (Tea): Quick and playful
- Russian Dance (Trepak): An energetic, athletic display
- Dance of the Reed Flutes: A delicate, graceful performance
- Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles: A comic relief sequence
- Waltz of the Flowers: A grand showcase for the corps de ballet
The Grand Pas de Deux
The celebration culminates in the famous grand pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. This technically demanding sequence is one of ballet's most celebrated partnerships.
The Finale
All the dancers return for a final waltz. Clara is honored one last time before it's time for her to return home. Different productions handle the ending differently. In some versions, Clara awakens under the Christmas tree with the nutcracker doll in her arms, suggesting it was all a dream. In others, she remains in the magical world, and in some contemporary interpretations, she grows up and the story takes on coming-of-age themes.
Dramatic Themes
The ballet explores several key themes:
- The transition from childhood to adolescence
- The blurring of reality and fantasy
- The power of imagination
- The magic of Christmas and winter
- The battle between good and evil
- The fulfillment of wishes and dreams
Production Elements
The storyline is enhanced by several technical and artistic elements:
- The growing Christmas tree effect, which requires sophisticated stage machinery
- The battle scene's complex staging, involving numerous dancers and elaborate props
- The snow scene's special effects, often using real falling snow
- The numerous costume changes and character transformations
- The integration of child dancers with professional company members
- The use of pantomime to convey the story without dialogue
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Nutcracker has become a beloved holiday tradition, particularly in North America. For many ballet companies, annual Nutcracker performances provide a significant portion of their yearly revenue. It often serves as many children's first introduction to ballet and classical music.
The ballet provides crucial performance opportunities for students and young dancers. Its varied roles allow dancers of different skill levels to participate, making it an important teaching tool in dance education. The choreography has influenced ballet training methods and serves as a benchmark for technical and artistic development.
The score has transcended the ballet world to become a staple of Christmas music and popular culture. Various arrangements and adaptations have been created for different musical genres and settings. The "Nutcracker Suite" is frequently performed as a standalone orchestral work.
Contemporary choreographers continue to create new versions of The Nutcracker, incorporating different cultural perspectives and modern dance elements. Notable versions include Mark Morris's "The Hard Nut" and Matthew Bourne's darker interpretation.
For many ballet companies, The Nutcracker performances can generate up to 40% of their annual ticket revenues. This financial aspect has helped sustain professional ballet companies and schools throughout the world, making the ballet crucial to the survival of classical dance as an art form.