The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker Just in Time for Christmas
Enchanting Russian ballet artistry for young and old alike. A masterpiece accompanied by a live orchestra.

The Greatest Ballet Fairytale of All Time
Music: P. I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography: L. Ivanov and M. Petipa
Editor: A. Bogutsky

The ballet The Nutcracker is based on Alexandre Dumas' adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Tchaikovsky’s musical interpretation premiered on December 18, 1892, in St. Petersburg under the choreography of Lev Ivanov, captivating both children and adults.

Classical ballet artistry has often been highly praised by critics worldwide. However, as the saying goes: “Better to see once than hear a hundred times.” Experience the magnificent ballet The Nutcracker with the International Festival Ballet and the Festival Orchestra.

The story centers on Marie, who receives a nutcracker as a gift from her godfather Drosselmeyer on Christmas Eve. After falling asleep, she dreams of a battle between the toy soldiers, led by the Nutcracker, and the army of the Mouse King. With her help, the Nutcracker triumphs and transforms into a prince. Together, they journey to the Land of Sweets, traveling through the forest of fir trees to the Sugar Castle, where the Sugar Plum Fairy hosts a grand celebration in their honor.

The stunning stage design by the brilliant theater designer Vyacheslav Okunev—renowned for his work with the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan—together with beautiful costumes and the boundless elegance and effortless grace of the International Festival Ballet ensemble, creates a dreamy and magical rendition of this classic ballet that continues to mesmerize audiences even after more than 100 years.

International Festival Ballet Ensemble
Artistic Director: Alex Bogutsky

Since the summer of 2022, the St. Petersburg Festival Ballet has adopted a new name.

Shocked and deeply affected by Russia’s inhumane war of aggression against Ukraine, the renowned ballet company has renamed itself "International Festival Ballet."

With this change, the artists express their unwavering stance. The International Festival Ballet is an international company that transcends national borders, advocating for global understanding and unity through the poetry of art, music, and dance. Since the war began, the artists have expressed their opposition to Russian aggression with numerous protest actions before their performances. As a result, they have faced threats from Russia. The ensemble, which includes a significant number of Ukrainian dancers, proudly considers itself a ballet of peace and solidarity among all people.

The International Festival Ballet is a world-class ensemble that combines the strict elegance of classical tradition with the fresh influence of the 21st century, delivering flawless dance performances that captivate audiences worldwide. The troupe consists of 42 dancers, all graduates of prestigious Russian ballet schools such as the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, the Kyiv State Choreographic Academy, the Moscow Academy of Choreography, the Ufa Ballet School, and the Perm Ballet Academy. The ensemble has collaborated with leading ballet theaters and won numerous awards at international ballet festivals and competitions. Together, these 42 dancers form one of the finest and most renowned ballet companies globally, combining beauty, strength, and technical brilliance.

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Artistic Director & Conductor: Normunds Vaicis

The Festival Orchestra was founded by talented musicians from Moldova, Ukraine, and Latvia. Its artistic director and chief conductor is the renowned Maestro Normunds Vaicis.

The orchestra’s repertoire includes works by Ravel, Debussy, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Fauré, Albeniz, Gounod, and many others. Music from classical ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don Quixote, and others forms the core of their performances.

The orchestra has collaborated with renowned ballet ensembles from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It has performed with great success in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and other European countries, establishing itself as one of Europe’s finest ballet orchestras despite its relatively small size. In the near future, they will perform the classical ballet seasons for the prestigious International Festival Ballet in Scandinavia, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria.

Program and cast