Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker November 26, 2010

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto is adapted from the story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E. T. A. Hoffmann. It was given its premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on 18 December 1892, on a double-bill with Tchaikovsky's opera, Iolanta.

Although the original production was not a success, The Nutcracker has enjoyed increasing popularity since the mid-20th century, and is now performed by countless ballet companies primarily during the Christmas season. Tchaikovsky's score has become one of his most famous compositions, in particular the pieces featured in The Nutcracker Suite, a selection of eight pieces from the complete score. Among other things, the score is noted for its use of the celesta, an instrument that the composer had already employed in his much lesser known symphonic ballad The Voyevoda. Although known primarily in The Nutcracker as the featured solo instrument in the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from Act II, it is also employed elsewhere in the same act.

Wed –Fri @ 7:30pm
Sat @ 1pm & 7:30pm
Sun @ 1pm & 5:30pm
Dec 17 & 24 @12pm
Dec 21 & 28 @7:30pm
*Additional Matinees:
Dec 22, 23, 28, 29 & 30 @1pm
No Performances Dec 1 & 25

Official Website: http://boxoffice.bostonballet.org/storefront/c2011NUTCRACKER-p0.html