Recorded Rudolf Nureyev version in 2012

Composer: Peter Tchaikovsky

Choreographer: Rudolf Nureyev, based on the version of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov

Adaptation Starring: Lyudmila Konovalova, Vladimir Shishov

Premiered by the Paris Opera Ballet in 1985

The fairy tale about the Nutcracker was first created by the German romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann and published in Berlin in 1816. In 1844, Alexandre Dumas adapted it into a French story. Another 48 years later, Pyotr Tchaikovsky composed a musical based on the story, and the legendary Marius Petipa performed it on the ballet stage. Since then, The Nutcracker has become one of the most famous ballets in the world.

However, Rudolf Nureyev's world-famous "Nutcracker" was never staged in Vienna. In 1985, nearly 20 years after Nureyev's first performance of The Nutcracker for the Royal Swedish Ballet in 1967, his rearrangement was staged at the Paris Opera, with two young dancers as soloists, the renowned Viennese The National Ballet performed the group dance. Nureyev's choreography, which focuses on the psychological content of the work's underlying story, is truly revolutionary.

Many previously rigid characters have now become flesh-and-blood characters, making the work more relaxed, humorous, and more in line with children's appetite. This 1985 version was directed by Nureyev's student Manuel Legris of the Vienna State Ballet. Legris added new costumes and characters to the production, allowing teenage ballet students to master Nureyev's intricate choreography with stunning timing and flawless technique.

In this version, the magician and the prince are actually one person, who is also the dream lover of the heroine Clara. Also branded as "Noo's choreography" is the technical part of the play. Nureyev's choreography has always been known for its complex footwork and dazzling jumps. In the works, Nureyev still added a lot of showmanship content to the works. While experiencing the festive atmosphere, he can also obtain higher viewing enjoyment from the dancers' technical demonstrations.

Synopsis:

Act 1, Scene 1

In front of the main entrance of the Schuttalbaum house In the early 19th century, the Schuttalbaum house in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany held a Christmas party. Daughter Clara, son Fritz and the whole family greeted the guests at the door.

Act 1, Scene 2

The Christmas party begins in the living room of the Shutarbaums. Clara's godfather, Dero Selmeia, brought a beautiful and huge hand-cranked music box, and took out three puppets from it: a lovely girl, a funny clown, and a powerful Arab to perform for the children. Finally, Drosselmea took out the ugly nutcracker, and Clara asked Drosselmea to give her the puppet. Holding the nutcracker in her arms, she quietly fell asleep.

Act 1, Scene 3

In the living room of the Shutarbam's house, Clara, who was sleeping soundly, was awakened, and saw the Seven-headed Rat King with a large group of rats, trying to take away the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker suddenly became bigger, commanding the puppets and the mouse army to start a war. Clara fainted from the sight. When she wakes up, the Nutcracker undoes the mouse's magic and turns into a handsome prince, who invites Clara to visit the candy kingdom he rules. The two got on the wooden horse and embarked on a journey.

Act 1, Scene 4

Snow Prince and Clara came to Snow Country, where is a crystal clear world. The Snow Queen and King lead the snow elves into snowflakes falling with the wind, dancing to welcome them. Clara got a beautiful shawl from the queen and the king and went on the road together with the prince.

Act 2, Scene 1

The fairies of the snow country water saw the wooden boat that Clara and the prince were riding on, and made a noise. A gust of wind blew, and the mice that had not been wiped out came back to fight back, but they all died under the prince's sword in the end.

Act 2, Scene 2

The capital of the Candy Kingdom wiped out the rats, and Clara and the prince came to the Candy Kingdom, a luxurious palace built with various sweets. Various elves such as chocolate, jelly beans, and cream perform gorgeous dances to welcome them. Clara and the prince danced the pas de deux danced in the candy kingdom as a wedding ceremony. Clara has fallen in love with the prince deeply unknowingly, but also vaguely feels that the prince will leave her far away. With this anxiety, Clara fell asleep quietly.

Act 2, Scene 3

The Christmas party in front of the main entrance of the Shutarbaum house is over. The godfather put the white shawl lightly on Clara's shoulders, and then drove away in the sleigh. Clara reminisces about the good times she spent with the prince, holding a nutcracker in her arms, and standing for a long time in the heavy snowflakes. Christmas night is getting deeper and deeper.