First premiering in 1852 in St. Petersburg, for over 100 years it’s been the sure sign of the arrival of Christmas. This year, on the 22 December the St. Petersburg Ballet comes to La Pergola theatre in Florence with their edition of Tchaikovsky’s world-famous ballet, The Nutcracker. As the orchestra swings into action, playing the instantly recognisable score, feast your eyes on ballerinas, animals and glorious decorations to get into the festive season.
The story begins on Christmas Eve with the family and friends of the Stahlbaum family gathered around to decorate the huge Christmas tree in preparation for the party. Amongst the guests is Clara Stahlbaum’s godfather, Drosselmeyer, a magician who brings gifts for the children, including four lifelike dolls who dance to the delightful music. Drosselmeyer presents another toy, a wooden nutcracker in the shape of a man, in which most of the children are uninterested but Clara is immediately drawn to it. During the night when everyone has gone to bed, Clara returns to check on her beloved new toy and witnesses every child’s Christmas dream. All the toys and decorations spring to life and fill the room, acting out battles with life size tin soldiers and toy mice. Clara saves the Nutcracker from the scene and finding themselves in a pine forest, he transforms into a handsome Prince.
Clara and the Prince travel to the Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. In honor of Clara, who saved the Prince from a terrible fate transforming him back into his true self by rescuing him from the battle, a celebration of all the sweets from around the globe takes the stage: candy canes from Russia, tea from China and chocolate from Spain. A waltz and pas de deux ensues before the ballet ends.
A classic for adults and children a-like, don’t miss out on tickets by purchasing at the ticket office;
via della Pergola, 24, Monday to Saturday 9.30 – 18.30
By phone 055-0763333
Online www.boxofficetoscana.it
Also available from the Box Office Circuit 055-210804
Teatro della Pergola,
via della Pergola 12-32, Florence
22 December 2018 at 5.45pm or 8.45pm
