First Performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker, a beloved ballet composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, premiered on December 17, 1892, at the Maryinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. This enchanting production is based on Alexandre Dumas père's adaptation of E. T. A. Hoffmann's story, featuring a young girl named Clara who embarks on a magical journey with her Nutcracker doll, which transforms into a prince. The ballet was choreographed by M. I. Petipa and Lev Ivanov, with Petipa also writing the libretto. Despite its eventual acclaim, the initial reception was mixed, with notable criticism from prominent figures like Agrippina Vaganova, although some elements, such as the Waltz of the Snowflakes, were praised. Over the years, The Nutcracker has become a cherished holiday tradition, both in Russia and around the world, celebrated for its whimsical narrative and memorable score. Tchaikovsky, a prominent Russian composer of the 19th century, is also known for other masterpieces like Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. The ballet has been continually performed and adapted since its debut, including its first international showing in London in 1934 and its introduction to the United States in 1940 by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.
On this Page
Subject Terms
First Performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker
First Performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's popular ballet The Nutcracker first premiered on December 17, 1892, at the Maryinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. The story is based on L'Histoire d'un Casse Noisette (The story of the hazelnut cracker) by Alexandre Dumas père, whose tale was inspired by Nussknacker und Mausekönig (The nutcracker and the king of the mice) by E. T. A. Hoffmann of Koenigsberg, Prussia. This first performance was choreographed by the team of M. I. Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Petipa wrote the libretto, and Tchaikovsky was the composer.
The Nutcracker was not the immediate success that one would have assumed: for example, Agrippina Vaganova, a leading Russian ballet teacher, panned it in her review several days later (although she did comment favorably on the beautiful dance segment known as the Waltz of the Snowflakes). However, over the decades The Nutcracker became a Christmas favorite both in Russia and abroad.
The Nutcracker is a fairy tale about a young girl named Clara who receives a magical nutcracker in the figure of a soldier from her godfather, Drosselmeier, on Christmas Eve. She falls asleep clutching the Nutcracker doll and Drosselmeier induces in her a dream in which the Nutcracker comes to life and battles a team of mice led by the Mouse King, who tries to kidnap Clara. The Nutcracker turns out to be a prince, who takes Clara to his palace where they are entertained by various sweets, such as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and representatives from all over the world. Clara awakens on Christmas morning under her tree with the Nutcracker in her arms and wonderful memories of her adventures with the prince.
Tchaikovsky, born on May 7, 1840, in Votkinsk, Russia, was the leading Russian composer of the 19th century. He wrote other famous ballets, such as Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, in addition to musical classics which include The 1812 Overture. He died on November 6, 1893, in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Nutcracker continued to be staged in the newly established Soviet Union, and the first performance outside of the country was given in London, England, in 1934. It was first performed in the United States in 1940 by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.