‘The Nutcracker’

With the stars of the Bolshoi Theater and Mariinsky Theaters

Music by Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski
Choreography by Mikhail Venshchikov
Design by Tatiana Koroleva

The Nutcracker staged by St. Petersburg Classical Ballet / Arts Center Saint-Michel evokes the tale that was first presented on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater in 1892.
On the Christmas night, the good wizard Drosselmeyer makes little Masha see a dream that erases the borders between reality and the world of reveries. Masha’s Christmas gift, a Nutcracker, turns both into her fearless champion in the fight against mice, and the charming prince who awakens the first romance in her heart.
The Nutcracker as staged by Mikhail Venshchikov stays faithful to the traditions of the classical St. Petersburg ballet; all the principal choreographic pieces are preserved, according to the original concept of the show’s first directors, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Apart from the universally familiar pieces, such as Valse des Flacons de Neige, Grand Ballabile and Divertissements des Jouets, the show will include the fragments that have been recreated for the first time in 100 years, such as the legendary Adagio à l’Echarpe from Act 1.
Both the children and the adults will definitely enjoy their chance to get immersed in the atmosphere of a winter fairly tail. The Nutcracker by St. Petersburg Classical Ballet will provide an unforgettable New Year Eve experience for the whole family.

The Belgian public is well-acquainted with Arts Center Saint-Michel. Its most recent project was Grand Ballet Gala: in February 2017 it enjoyed major success in Stadsschouwburg (Antwerp), Capitole (Gent) and Bozar (Brussels).

The core of St. Petersburg Classical Ballet / Arts Center Saint-Michel cast are the graduates of the world-renowned Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Its dedication to the traditions of the St. Petersburg school of ballet ensures the uniformity of performing style that is crucial for such ballets as The Nutcracker and The Swan Lake.

Students of the Conservatoire de la Danse de Bruxelles, headed by Menia Martinez and Jean Paul Dimmers, will be involved in presenting The Nutcracker on the stage of Bozar Theater.