Photo by the washington ballets official facebook page. The washington ballets holiday production of tchaikovskys the nutcracker, choreographed by septime webre. The classic, swing and step, and other nutcracker shows. Mybs mininut is a delightful abbreviated version of our classic the nutcracker, designed to introduce children to the magic of this family favorite. The set is designed to look like a snowy night in georgetown. Nutcracker, suite from the ballet, details allmusic. The tone and ambiance of the warner theatre and tchaikovskys iconic score contribute to the holiday spirit, and it is a pleasure to see how the performance. Tchaikovsky composed parts of the nutcracker in rouen, france. For over 120 years, the ballet has been a christmas tradition for both audiences and dancers. With a plot thats more spectacle than substance, this seasons the nutcracker by the washington ballet. It is an incredibly difficult thing to create something that is both classic and unique, but that is exactly what the washington ballet has done with their annual version of the iconic holiday ballet the nutcracker.
The washington ballet twb is an ensemble of professional ballet dancers based in washington dc. On his way, in paris, he heard the newlyinvented celesta for the first time, and wrote his publisher in. The two act ballet is set to tchaikovskys famous score, and has been performed by professional ballet companies across the world for over 100 years. Now, renowned ballerina julie kent stages her first season of tchaikovskys the nutcracker as the new artistic director of the washington ballet now through dec. The washington ballets production concept for the nutcracker washington, dc in 1882 our nutcracker ballet takes place on christmas eve at claras home in georgetown in 1882. This fulllength classical presentation of a family holiday favorite includes tchaikovskys memorable score and choreography by kay englert. However, as a ballet fan, and harborer of a childish attachment to tchaikovskys nutcracker suite, i would not have expected that my fondness. It was founded in 1976 by mary day, and has been under the artistic directorship of julie kent since 2016. Tchaikovsky interrupted the ballets composition for a lucrative journey to conduct and perform for carnegie halls opening in new york, and also in philadelphia, baltimore and washington. I began taking my daughter to the pacific northwest ballet presentation of the nutcracker. For tickets, call the box office at 202 4674600, or. The washington ballet production has george washington as the nutcracker fighting george iii as the mouse king. Septime webre, artistic director of the washington ballet, 19992016. Nutcracker suite simple english wikipedia, the free.
The people of washington will also be left in a trance as they accompany clara on her journey through the enchanted land. They are the sugar plum variation, the russian, arabian, and chinese divertissements. Duke ellingtons nutcracker suite peter ilyich tchaikovsky 18401893 originally composed the nutcracker as a ballet during the years 189192 the idea of the ballet was inspired by e t a hoffmanns 1816 story, the nutcracker and the mouse king. The 14 inch george washington nutcracker with a blue colonial outfit, a blue tricorn hat, a silver staff, and long flowing white hair is sure to be a great new addition to your nutcracker collection. The nutcracker was originally based on the story of the nutcracker and the mouse, written by german author e. The washington ballet presents the nutcracker performance. The production premiered at the kennedy center in washington, d. The last of his three ballets, it was first performed in december 1892. Finally acknowledged as the greatest russian composer, he had produced symphonies, concertos, ballets, and his latest opera, the queen of spades, had been hailed as a masterpiece. The nutcracker plays through december 9, 2018, in the kennedy centers opera house 2700 f street, nw, in washington, dc. Petersburg branch of the musical society on march 19, 1892. Moscow ballets great russian nutcracker fairfax tickets. Do sugar plum fairies still sound good with tchaikovsky playing on a cd.
However, as a ballet fan, and harborer of a childish attachment to tchaikovskys nutcracker suite, i would not have expected that my fondness for the nutcracker ballet to join the ranks of my fondless traditions. Chelsea clinton, front, performs thursday, december 5, 1996 during the dress rehearsal of the washington ballets version of tchaikovskys the nutcracker at george mason universitys center for the arts in fairfax, va. Moscow ballets great russian nutcracker fairfax background. The mininut montgomery college cultural arts center, 7995 georgia avenue, silver spring. Before the ballets premiere in 1892, tchaikovsky selected eight of the. The nutcracker suite should not be mistaken for the complete ballet.
A rhythmic, percussive take on duke ellingtons jazzy nutcracker suite. Washington ballet gives nutcracker a local twist wtop. In 1891 pytor ilyich tchaikovsky was commissioned to write the music for a new ballet based on the stories by the st. Moores creative approach will allow the dancers to perform six parts of tchaikovskys nutcracker suite. Washington youve heard the myth of george washingtons wooden teeth, just like youve heard the music from tchaikovskys. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovskys holiday classic the nutcracker is returning to our nations capital, and tickets are now on sale for every performance. Washington contemporary ballet celebrates the holiday season with our annual production of the nutcracker. Swan lake, tchaikovsky dance of the little swans youtube. The complete ballet was first performed on december 17, 1892. Hoffmann was set to music by tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by marius petipa.
A nutcracker marathon, coast to coast the new york times. Every number was acclaimed and repeated, and the suite became an instant hit. The nutcracker is an 1892 twoact ballet originally choreographed by marius petipa and lev. Tchaikovsky wrote the nutcracker score for a 70piece orchestra. Years later, alexander dumas rewrote the story, making it happier and more fun for kids to read. Shchelkunchik listen help info is an 1892 twoact ballet fairy ballet. The washington ballet celebrates 15 years of dcs holiday favorite, the nutcracker, november 29december 28 at the historic warner theatre. The 1892 nutcracker suite is first, and it is a piece of music that i have a very deep affiliation with.
It will continue to be, especially with a new generation of dancers taking the stagelike isabelle wilwayco. Highlights from the washington ballets the nutcracker, december 5, 20. Six austin ways to see the nutcracker in austin this. The origin of the nutcracker, a classic christmas story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a familys christmas eve celebration. Set to tchaikovskys magical score, this charmingly. Washington ballets production of the nutcracker, a beloved dc holiday tradition, has returned to the warner theatre in all its splendid glory on par with the lighting of the national christmas. Washingtonlee jazz big band duke ellingtons nutcracker. Septime webre was artistic director for 17 years starting in 1999 and stepped down as artistic director at the conclusion of the 20152016 season. A hoffman tale the nutcracker and the mouse king, almost always includes dance, usually classical ballet, and music, usually the 1892 score by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky, sometimes performed in two acts, at other times condensed into the 20minute nutcracker suite, which popularized the. Although the original 1892 marius petipa production was not a success, pyotr ilyich tchaikovskys ballet the nutcracker began to. Families are invited to enjoy cake, conversation, and a 30minute performance of excerpts from tchaikovskys famous ballets. Set to tchaikovskys magical score, this charminglydc production set in 1882 georgetown is a holiday tradition.
Clever creations has all of your nutcracker christmas collectibles including. A snow queen, a snow king, 12 snow angels, and 12 snow flakes, coupled with. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovskys ballet suite, the nutcracker 1892. From a strictly professional point of view, tchaikovsky should have been a happy man in 1890. Legend julie kent stages her first washington ballet. Nutcracker ballet complete royal philharmonic symphony orchestra of londonartur rodzinski, conductoract i, sc. Columbia dance, vso reunite for nutcracker selections. Expressive dancing along with stunning sets and costumes will transport the audience to an enchanting world that will captivate children and adults of all ages. The moscow ballets great russian nutcracker fairfax performances got its start in 1993, which is the first year that the moscow ballet started touring north america. The washington ballets nutcracker is set in historic georgetown and features historical figures. This organization consists of approximately 80 ballerinas and other classically trained dancers. The original tchaikovsky performed by a 55piece orchestra.
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