The Novosibirsk Nutcracker turns 70

March 12th 1950 Tchaikovsky’s fairy ballet The Nutcracker was for the first time performed at the Novosibirsk opera and ballet theatre. Soloists of the Novosibirsk ballet company Sergei Pavlov and People’s Artist of the Byelorussian SSR Zinaida Vasilieva performed leading parts in the first staging of one of the most famous and treasured ballet productions. The staging was directed by Albin Morozov. This performance went on for ten years, and then on March 23rd 1961 Vasili Vainonen presented his rendition of this ballet, which later gained world renown. His interpretation of The Nutcracker was created in 1934 for the Mariinsky Theatre. The ballet master based his version on Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s traditions. Later on this rendition was adopted by many Russian and foreign companies.

Vasili Vainonen’s work represents one of the brightest chapters in the history of the Novosibirsk theatre. Vasili Ivanovich held the position of Ballet Master in Chief in 1951 – 1952. During that time he staged ballets The Shore of Hope and The Sleeping Beauty, choreographed scenes for opera performances. His rendition of The Nutcracker had been on for 17 years since 1961 before it was revived in 1978.

In 1995 another staging of The Nutcracker was presented by Georgy Alexidze and then in 1998 ballet master Sergei Vikharev staged his version of this ballet. Since 2013 the company has been performing a rendition based on Vainonen’s choreography. In 2017 the newest rendition of The Nutcracker was staged by the world renowned Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato.

Meanwhile, the audience gets a unique opportunity to see both renditions of the beloved fairy ballet – a traditional one by Vasili Vainonen, and an exquisite one by the contemporary choreographer Nacho Duato.

The next performances of The Nutcracker in Nacho Duato’s rendition are scheduled on March 25th and March 26th.