Through the warm, colorful decor, the 'The Nutcracker' performance at Dubai Opera transported the audience into a fantastical world set to the timeless music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed live under the direction of Valery Voronin.
Presented by the Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theatre, the production carried the magic of winter, holiday atmospheres, and childhood imagination, taking the audience on a magical Christmas night journey with a little Russian girl and her wooden doll, 'The Nutcracker'.
Dubai Opera's Managing Director, Dr. Paolo Petrucci, stated: 'The Nutcracker' is a cultural tradition that renews every year to bring families and communities together. Presenting this work in collaboration with a world-renowned company reflects our commitment to providing Dubai's audience with world-class shows that combine artistic excellence with the festive spirit.'
To the sound of the ballet, the audience experienced a journey of fantasy and magic with Clara and her magical prince (The Nutcracker). This work, which has been a companion to the holiday season since its creation and first performance in 1892, was based on the original choreography by Vasily Vainonen.
The performance was presented in two acts. The first act began with a simple set that took the audience to Clara's family celebrating Christmas Eve. To the sound of graceful ballet steps, gifts were distributed, and Clara received her gift from her godfather, a nutcracker carved in the shape of a little man. The celebration ended, and Clara fell asleep with her doll, then woke up at midnight. The audience entered a fantastical world with her, where objects in the room began to grow in size. The tree grew larger, and the girl found herself in a strange place where a group of mice attacked her. Meanwhile, the nutcracker transformed into a brave prince who helped her overcome the mice and their king with the support of his own army. The first act was dominated by the dramatic side of the story, especially as it was presented by a select group of artists from the Astrakhan Theatre, known for their excellence and classical mastery, including winners of prestigious international awards and competitions.
The second act opened the curtain to much fantasy. The stage transformed into snow-covered pine forests and then into the Land of Sweets. The magical prince takes Clara from place to place with graceful steps to the sound of love. The choreography was stunning in the second part of the performance, based on group dances, especially when the prince and Clara arrived in the Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. She honored the guests with a grand celebration that included elegant dance scenes from different countries, including China, Spain, and Russia, as well as dances from the Arab world and the 'Dance of the Flowers.' In the finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy performed with her partner a piece considered one of the most famous in the world of ballet. The elegant dance scenes, especially the ballerinas in white, added much magic to the show, while the various, luxurious costumes from several cultures added to the charm of this exceptional production.
In the end, the performance returns Clara to her bed, where she wakes up to find herself in her room with the 'Nutcracker' doll in her hands. She smiled, not knowing if what she had experienced was a dream or a real and beautiful magic.
The roots of the tale 'The Nutcracker' was first performed in 1892 in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre, becoming one of the icons of famous Russian ballets, including 'Sleeping Beauty.'
The story told through the movements and musical notes is entirely European. The first to write 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King' was the German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816.
