Day 2: The Nutcracker Suite

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book called "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" written by E.T.A. Hoffman.

In 1891, the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the music for The Nutcracker Ballet.

In 1892, the first showing of the Nutcracker took place at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet.

Listen to the Overture (18K midi)

Listen to the Russian Dance (8K midi)

Listen to the Waltz of the Flowers (34K midi)

For more information on the story, history, music, and show directory of the Nutcracker, visit the Official Nutcracker Site.