The Nutcracker at Oper Leipzig
About the Event
Peter Tchaikovsky was delighted with the magic of Christmas Eve. According to one contemporary's account, 'when the candles were lit, the hostess marched, the doors opened wide, and'the children' (all nearly fifty years old) ran towards the hall, Tchaikovsky burst into the hall, held hands and began to dance around the Christmas tree. It is no coincidence that one immediately remembers the opening of the ballet The Nutcracker of Tchaikovsky: Clara and her brothers can hardly wait until Christmas Eve, when they can finally unwrap their gifts. The greatest enthusiasm comes from a toy from the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeier: a nutcracker that Clara in particular loves. Just as the clock strikes midnight, Clara sneaks back to see her new wooden toy. The line between dream and reality is blurred: Clara sees the nutcrackers and tin soldiers come to life before her very eyes, and they begin to fight the Mouse King's army. Finally, Clara's courageous intervention decides the battle: the prince, who once became the nutcracker, has been redeemed. In gratitude, take the girl on a dance trip to the kingdom of the Snow Queen and the magnificent Sugar Fairy Palace.
For over a hundred years, Tchaikovsky's ballet has led his audience, young and old alike, into a fairytale world full of fantasy. Based on the adaptation of a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann by Alexandre Dumas, the ballet lives between illusion and reality, surrounded by night shadows, the redeeming power of love and the desire for the lost wonders of childhood. Choreographer Jean‐Philippe Dury is back at the head of this opulent production of Tchaikovsky's classic after his multi‐layered contribution to Französische Chansons' Spiegel Tent.
Cast / Production
Driver: Tobias Engeli
Choreography: Jean‐Philippe Dury
Scenario: Yoko Seyama
Costumes: Aleksandar Noshpal
Video: Wolf Bittner
Lighting Designer: Andreas Harder
Choreographic assistance: Yolanda Martin
Children's Choir Rehearsal: Sophie Bauer
Choir: Kinderchor Der Oper Leipzig
Ballet: Leipziger Ballett
Girls: Turn‐ Und Gymnastikclubs Leipzig E.V.
Children: Musikschule Johann Sebastian Bach
Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester
