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| The Bolshoi's "Nutcracker" (photo: Bolshoi Ballet) |
One
of the highlights of any holiday season is the beloved ballet The
Nutcracker, featuring the music
of Pyotr Tchaikovsky. It was premiered in 1892 in St. Petersburg on
this date, December 18, and never more exquisitely performed than by
Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet (which was founded in 1776). Their 2014
production of the work was HD broadcast in a movie theater near you
this past weekend. Featuring Choreography by Yuri Grigorovich, as
Directed by Vincent Bataillon with Music Direction by Pavel Klonichev
leading the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, the broadcast was hosted by
the company's spokeswoman Katya Novikova who interviewed one of the
principals, Denis Rodkin, between acts.
As most ballet buffs will already know, the story, based
on E.T.A. Hoffman's tale, begins in Act I on Christmas Eve, as young
Maria (Anna Nikulina) is given a present by her godfather
Drosselmeyer (Andrei Merkuriev) in the form of a nutcracker. At
midnight, after all of the celebrations have ended, all the toys come
to life, including the Nutcracker, now a handsome young Prince
(Rodkin). He and his corps of tin soldiers come to the rescue of
Maria, who is threatened by the Army of the Mouse King (Vitaly
Biktimirov).
Act II continues after the defeat of the Mouse King.
The Nutcracker turned Prince whisks Maria away in a magic boat to the
Land of Sweets. Maria and her Prince are overwhelmed with sheer
happiness, having reached the kingdom of their dreams. Joyous
celebrations thus may now begin, but it begins to become clear that
this kingdom of their dreams is literally that, all a mere dream.
(One could be forgiven for an occasional thoughtful Disney-induced digression
in the direction of ostriches and hippopotami).
This production, hailed as a “bonbon” for the
holiday season, was full of superior dancing by the principals as
well as the entire Bolshoi Corps de Ballet, and a visual treat thanks
to the imagination behind the creative elements (notably the
clever and colorful sets and costumes) and the faultless performances. It's no wonder
that this has become a staple for holiday viewing, well worth
experiencing for the first time or on a return visit.
Presented
Sunday Dec.18th at Regal Cinemas in Kingston, MA and a
theater near you.
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