Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker

The Russian Imperial Mariinsky Theatre was the original home to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker in 1892, when it made its worldwide debut. Movie theater audiences will experience the marvelous talents of two of the Mariinsky Theatre’s rising stars – Alina Somova as Clara (Masha in the original Russian ballet) and Vladimir Shklyarov as the Nutcracker. Conducted by Valery Gergiev, this timeless production of The Nutcracker opens with a Christmas Eve party and a young girl, Clara, being given a nutcracker doll by her godfather, Drosselmeyer. Later in the evening when Clara sleeps, she finds herself in the midst of the Nutcracker’s battle against the Mouse King and his army of mice. Coming to Clara’s aid, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince and journeys with her to an enchanted island where spectacular celebrations are held in their honor.

Director 
Bernard Picard
From Ballet by 

Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Set Designer, Costume Designer

Simon Virsaladze

ChoreographyMarius Petipa
Conductor

Viktor Fedotov

cast

Princess AuroraLarissa Lezhnina

Prince DésiréFaurouk Ruzimatov

Lilac FairyYulia Makhalina

Cruel Fairy CarabosseVadim Guliayev

The KingGennady Babanin

The QueenNina Mikhailova

In this production of the best loved classical ballet 'Swan Lake' the naturally gifted Yulia Makhalina dances the challenging role of Odette/Odile while the part of Prince Siegfried is danced by Igor Zelensky. This classic Kirov production includes the familiar happy ending in the final act where Siegfried fights and ultimately defeats the evil magician von Rothbart and at dawn is reunited with Odette.

Watch the full morning class from The Royal Ballet in London. Class is taken by Brian Maloney.