A ballet in two acts
It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaums’ house. Important guests and their children have been invited, servants and cooks are bustling about, the atmosphere is festive and the adults are having fun. Mrs Stahlbaum’s wheelchaired daughter Maria keeps close to the Christmas tree with the other children, brimming with excitement. The doll maker Drosselmeyer arrives along with his apprentice Matthias.
In Maria’s confined world, the only joy she has are the wonderful dolls and inventions of Drosselmeyer. The dream that she could run and play like other children is as unattainable as the star high on top of the Christmas tree…
This is director and choreographer Mare Tommingas’ second production of The Nutcracker – she brought the first one on stage in 1994. This version largely remains true to her first libretto but boasts a magnificent set design, fantastic costumes and new relationships.
The Nutcracker is one of the most legendary ballets, welcoming audiences across the world during Christmas time already since 1892. This is the fifth premiere of the Nutcracker at the Vanemuine Theatre.
There might be more truth in a fairytale than in life itself, and life may be a fairytale as well. Even the impossible can happen if you believe in it and if you’re lucky to go along with someone.
– director Mare Tommingas
Premiere on 26 November 2022 at the Grand Building of the Vanemuine Theatre
The production is brought to you by Goldtime
Composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Director, librettist, choreographer and costume designer Mare Tommingas
Musical director and conductor Martin Sildos
Conductor Aleksandr Brazhnyk
Scenographer Kristjan Suits
Video designer Taavi Varm
Lighting designer Margus Vaigur Endla
Director’s assistant Jelena Karpova
Cast Caroline Maquignon, Yuta Irikura, Gustavo Pedro, Alexander Germain Drew, Alain Divoux, Sayaka Nagahiro, Raminta Rudžionytė-Jordan, Elena Troisfontaines, Elisabeth Vereide Dvergsdal, Alexandra Heidi Foyen, Andrea Johnson, Ana Maria Gergely, Gus Upchurch, Benjamin Newman
Vanemuine ballet company, students of the Vanemuine Dance and Ballet School
Vanemuine symphony orchestra, students of the Tartu Karlova School Choir
Videos
Articles
Muinasjutuline Pähklipureja on jõuludeks taas lavalaudadel | "Seitsmesed uudised" | 28.11.2023
Arvustus | Jõuluime poole(l) teel | Sirp | 16.12.2022
Balletilavastuses imelisest jõuluööst etendab tähtsat osa ratastool | Tartu Postimees | 23.11.2022
Vanemuises esietendub ballett-muinasjutt «Pähklipureja ehk Imeline jõuluöö» | Postimehe kultuuriportaal | 22.11.2022
Ballettmuinasjutt imelisest jõuluööst tuleb Vanemuises taas vaatajate ette | Tartu Postimees | 22.11.2022
Vanemuises esietendub ballettmuinasjutt "Pähklipureja ehk Imeline jõuluöö" | ERR kultuuriportaal | 22.11.2022
Vanemuises esietendub ballettmuinasjutt „Pähklipureja ehk Imeline jõuluöö“ | Vanemuise uudisvoog | 21.11.2022
Taaskohtumine 28 aastat hiljem – Mare Tommingas ja „Pähklipureja” | Hooajakiri RAMP | Sügis 2022/23
Interviews
Lavastaja Mare Tommingas tutvustab ballettmuinasjutu sisu ja sündi | "Vanemuise veerand" | 24.11.2022