State Kremlin Palace
| 19 December |
| 19:00 |
| 2025 | Friday |
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Russian Classical Ballet Stars at the State Kremlin Palace
Peter Tchaikovsky "The Nutcracker" (ballet in 2 acts with an epilogue). Performance by the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet Ballet in 2 acts |
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The performance has 1 intermission Running time: 2 hours
The State Kremlin Palace is open to audiences and offers a rich and varied programme of opera, ballet, symphonic concerts and gala performances. Located in the very heart of Moscow, this historic venue hosts productions by leading Russian companies and outstanding guest artists, including dancers who have performed on the Bolshoi Theatre stage and artists trained at the same prestigious academies. A visit to the Kremlin Palace is an opportunity to experience world-class performances in one of the most iconic cultural landmarks of Russia. On December 18 and 19, 2025, at the State Kremlin Palace, the best students of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, which is celebrating its 287th anniversary this year, will present the legendary ballet-fantasy by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker, in the choreography of Vasily Vainonen.
The production, created in 1934 in Leningrad especially for the students of the school and the young stars of the Leningrad Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (the former Mariinsky Theatre), Galina Ulanova and Konstantin Sergeyev, is today a recognized masterpiece and a true jewel of world choreography.
In an interview given on the occasion of the current tour, the Rector of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, People’s Artist of Russia and principal dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, said:“Vasily Ivanovich Vainonen’s production is unique — this fairy tale about love and the search for happiness is, in my opinion, the best gift for Christmas and New Year for both children and adults. Its choreography, which merges completely with Tchaikovsky’s music, is beautiful. And speaking of the incredible popularity of The Nutcracker in the 20th and 21st centuries, one should remember that it began precisely with Vainonen’s 1934 production, which we are bringing to Moscow this winter. And one more very important point: whenever choreographers in any country turn to the classical version of The Nutcracker, you can be sure that these are, in one way or another, variations on the choreography created by Vainonen.”
The performances, which have traditionally been held on the stage of the Kremlin Palace, will feature students from junior classes to graduates, working under the guidance of outstanding teachers of the Academy.
The St Petersburg Nutcracker will be presented to audiences at the State Kremlin Palace in bright, magical multimedia sets and will be performed with accompaniment of a symphony orchestra conducted by Valery Ovsyannikov, conductor of the Mariinsky Theatre.
This creative project is carried out as part of the “Priority 2030” Strategic Academic Leadership Program, the largest government project in the history of Russia aimed at supporting the development of Russian universities.
The Rector of the Vaganova Ballet Academy is Nikolai Tsiskaridze, People’s Artist of Russia, laureate of State Prizes, and principal dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre.
The Artistic Director of the Academy is Zhanna Ayupova, People’s Artist of Russia. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without The Bolshoi Ballet's The Nutcracker. Come and enjoy Mary and Franz's wonderful adventures as they meet a magician with strange secrets, join an army of valiant toy soldiers to fight a villainous Mouse King and take a trip to a land where everything is made of sweets. This really is an evening of magic: classical ballet at its most visually entrancing, with something to appeal to everyone, young and old.
Tchaikovsky's sparkling, effervescent score contains a wealth of famous melodies, and the production is a visual delight from start to finish. Come and experience some special magic this Christmas and into the New Year. SynopsisAct I
Guests are gathering for a Christmas party at the Stahlbaum home. Among them are Drosselmeyer, godfather to Marie and Fritz, the Stahlbaums’ children. He has brought them a wonderful present: a funny Nutcracker.
The children wait with impatience for when at long last they will be shown the Christmas tree and the presents. The long awaited moment comes: the handsomely adorned Christmas tree is presented to the assembled company.
Drosselmeyer suddenly appears disguised as a magician: he is not recognized by the children. Their unknown guest’s ability to make their toys come alive delights the children but, as everything that is clad in mystery, it involuntarily arouses their fear. In order to calm them down, Drosselmeyer takes off his mask and the children now recognize their beloved godfather. Marie wants to play with the wonderful dolls which have come alive, but they have already been tidied away. To comfort Marie, Drosselmeyer gives her the Nutcracker-Doll. Marie takes a great liking to this awkward, funny creature.
Marie’s brother Fritz, who is a great tease and very naughty, accidentally breaks the doll. With great tenderness, Marie comforts her injured Nutcracker and rocks it backwards and forwards. Fritz and his friends now put on mouse masks and tease poor Marie.
The guests appear from an adjoining room. After the final, ceremonial Grossvater dance, they all leave.
At night the room where the Christmas tree stands is bathed in moonlight. It looks mysterious and full of magical secrets. Overcoming her fears, Marie has come to the room to visit her ‘sick’ Nutcracker-Doll. She kisses the doll and rocks it.
Drosselmeyer now appears. But instead of her kind godfather, he has turned into a wizard. At a wave of his hand everything around them is transformed: the walls of the room slide back, the Christmas tree starts to grow. And all the toys come alive and grow together with the tree.
Suddenly, mice creep out from under the floorboards, led by the Mouse King. The dolls are panic-stricken and thrown into confusion. The Nutcracker’s quick wits and bravery save the day: lining up the lead soldiers, he boldly leads them out to do battle with the mice forces.
However, the forces are unequal, the advantage is on the side of the evil mice. The Nutcracker is left alone to face the Mouse King and his suite. Marie is out of her mind with worry over the danger that threatens her doll. At this very moment, Drosselmeyer hands her a lighted candle and she throws it at the mice who scurry away helter-skelter.
The battle field empties. The only person left here is the Nutcracker who lies without moving on the floor. Marie, together with the dolls, hurries to his rescue. And now a miracle occurs...Before Marie stands a handsome youth, the Nutcracker-Prince. He walks forward to meet her.
The walls of the house disappear. Marie and her friends are standing under a star-studded sky, by a fairy-tale Christmas tree. Snowflakes go round in a magical dance. Marie and her Nutcracker-Prince, beckon, as if to a beautiful dream, to the twinkling star at the top of the Christmas tree. They climb into a magic boat and set off for the top of the tree. The dolls follow behind them.
Act II
Marie and Nutcracker-Prince are sailing in their magic boat through the Christmas tree kingdom. There are their friends, the dolls with them. The shining star is getting closer and closer. They are just about to reach the top of the tree when they are suddenly attacked by the mice and the Mouse King who have crept up behind them. Once again, the Nutcracker-Prince goes boldly into battle. Horribly frightened, Marie and the dolls watch the fight. The Nutcracker-Prince vanquishes the enemy. Joyous victory celebrations are underway. The dolls dance, the candles burn even brighter, the Christmas tree comes alive. The evil mice have been defeated. Marie and the Nutcracker-Prince are radiant with happiness — they have reached the kingdom of their dreams! But it appears all this was just a dream. Christmas Eve is over and with it all wonderful reveries. Marie, still in the thrall of the fabulous dream, is sitting at home by the Christmas tree, with the Nutcracker-Doll on her lap.
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Main Stage
Teatralnaya ploschad, 1 (Theatre Square, 1), Moscow, Russia
New Stage
Bol'shaya Dmitrovka Street, 4/2, Moscow, Russia
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