The Nutcracker~ A Timeless Memory, but from where? Many know the beauty and love the Nutcracker brings to children all over the world, especially this time of year. But, not many know the story behind them. Where did they come from, why were they made, what makes them so amazing? Well, let me tell you...
The origional Nutcracker story was a Ballet written and designed by Peter Tchaikovsky, called the Nutcracker Suite. Dazzling sugarplum fairies, delicate snowflakes and exotic Arabian dancers populate the spectacular world the Nutcracker Ballet. So many characters come to life in the musical splendor~But, with all that is happening, it’s easy to overlook this much-loved hero, a prince-like figure who fends off the evil Mouse King and his army on Christmas eve. The brave nutcracker made his first appearance in Nussknacker und Mausekönig (Nutcracker and Mouse King), a tale of the supernatural told by German author and composer E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816.
Telling the Story Through Music and Dance
Hoffman gave this wooden hero character and courage as well as a tender heart. In Hoffman's story, however, the ending is more brutal than in Tchaikovsky's musical interpretation. In his story, the nutcracker soldier suffers at the hands of the invading mouse king and his army and barely escapes.
The Nutcracker as Gift and Good Luck Symbol
German children of the Biedermeier (1820) were familiar with wooden nutcrackers; found in many homes of the time. A nutcracker in a droll human shape was intended to bring good luck to the home and hearth, while presenting a fierce grin and glaring eye to protect the household from evil spirits. Hence, they were given as gifts as far back as the 16th century, when European craftsmen created them in a variety of human and animal forms.
Pleasant times with the family's nutcracker stimulated conversation and story-telling after a good meal; which included the common practice of ending a meal over a bowl of nuts, some cheese and a stein of good German beer.
The popular toy became a means to express social commentary, serving to lampoon contemporary authorities such as the police, the Church, the military, and even the Kaiser during the political upheavals, changes in fortunes, and various wars of the 19th century.
The Nutcracker Ballet and its Story
ACT 1 : The Party Scene
It is the eve of Christmas in Nuremburg, Germany, about the year 1850. Herr Drosselmeyer, a mysterious man and marvelous inventor of toys, is in his workshop with his nephew. Dorosselmeyer is putting the last minute magic on the special holiday presents he is bringing to the Christmas Eve party being held at the grand home of Clara and Fritz Stahlbaum.
As the curtain opens in the Stanlbaum's home, we see Clara and Friz's nursemaids at work cleaning the home and trimming the Christmas tree. Al last, the long awaited moment arrives and Clara, Fritz and Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum rush into the drawing room where they are dazzled by the splendid sight of the lavishly decorated holiday tree.
Soon, the many guests invited to the Christmas festivities arrive. The most celebrated and eagerly awaited by Carla, is her godfather, uncle Drosselmeyer, and his nephew.
Drosselmeyer presents the children with special holiday gifts, dolls for the girls and toy horns for the boys. Excited with their gifts, the children dance merrily and the adults join in. Surprisingly Clara and her guests, Drosselmeyer magically produces a life-sized jester and mechanical doll who perform charming dances for everyone's enjoyment.
Uncle Drosselmeyer finally gives Clara a special gift, a nutcracker designed as a soldier. Clara falls in love instantly with her nutcracker and shows her delight by dancing happily with him.
Fritz, furious at Clara's pleasure, lets his jealousy overwhelm him. In his fury, he snatches the beloved nutcracker and breaks it. Clara weeps as Uncle Drosselmeyer binds the nutcracker's head with his scarf and consoles her. Fritz, reprimanded and remorseful, apologizes and all i well again.
A stately Polonaise dance, performed by the parents, mark the evening's finale. The Stanhlbaums bid fond goonights to their guests as Clara and fritz retire to bed.
ACT 1: Scenes II and III
Clara returns to the drawing room where she soon falls fast asleep, cradling her nutcracker in her arms. Small mice appears and begin dancing. Awakened suddenly, Clara is frightened by the life-sized mice and a Mouse King. Uncle Drosselmeyer appears just in time to save her, sending the mice scurring away. Clara and Uncle Drosselmeyer celebrate and Drosselmeyer magically makes the tree even more magnificent.
As Drosselmeyer vanishes, the huge mice and Mouse King courageously reappear. Clara hides as toy soldiers and her beloved nutcracker appear, alive and also life-sized, to battle the ferocious mice. In a fierce duel, the valiant nutcracker defeats the Mouse King and becomes a handsome prince. For the first time, the prince and Clara dance gracefully together.
The Nutcracker prince takes Clara on a journey to the Sugar Plum Fairy's magical kingdom, passing through an exquisite snow forest where dancing penguins frolic in the winter sun. As evening falls, Clara and her prince are welcomed by the Snow Queen as she and her crystalline snowflakes dance in the moonlight.
ACT 2: Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy
In the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her angels dance in excited anticipation of the arrival of their special guests. Clara and her prince are greeted graciously with delightful dancing by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her sugar plums. Oriental servants, dance with honor, offering them sweets. Spirited Spanish dancers and Chinese dancers delightfully entertain, Mother Ginger and her gingersnaps evoke grins and giggles from all. Reed flutes playfully perform, and an exotic Arabian dancer enchantingly beckons. Cherry cupcakes and cute candy canes happily twirl and even the beautiful flowers of the kingsom elegantly watlz. With grand finesse, the Sugar Plum Fairy performs the final most breathtaking dance of all, inviting the Nutcracker Prince and Clara to join her. As the performance draws to a close, everyone waves good-bye to Clara and her prince. However, Clara knows that she may return to the fantasy of her dreams whenever she sleeps. Then Clara awakes, in her bed, just as she was before the beauty of her dream took over.
THE END
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