Saturday, December 3, 2011

The Nutcracker ~

I've seen The Nutcracker twice - both times when I lived in Sacramento, California. In fact, it's the only ballet I've ever attended. The music, the dancing, the lavish costumes, the set backdrop ~ I was transfixed ~ like a child (even though I was well into my forties at the time!) My favorite scene? When Clara arrives in the enchanted forest in The Land of Snow and the snowflakes turn into dancing maidens.  It was magical!



The Nutcracker is a fairytale that takes place on Christmas Eve. The young girl, Clara, receives a Nutcracker doll from her godfather. When she falls asleep, she dreams of a battle between the Nutcracker and the evil Mouse King. The Nutcracker triumphs, and takes Clara on a magical trip through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets where several dances are performed in her honor. The different dancers costumes' represent the sweets they bring from their countries:
Chocolate from Spain
Coffee from Arabia
Tea from China
Marzipan from Denmark
Sugar candy or candy canes from Russia
Mother Ginger from Jamaica
The Waltz of Candied Flowers from Germany





All Photos Courtesy: Wikipedia Images

Have you seen The Nutcracker? Do you have any special memories of it, or a favorite scene you'd like to share?

Until next time,
Cindy

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21 comments:

  1. JacquelineDecember 3, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    I still remember this over 40 years later - my mother took me all by myself ( I was one of 5 siblings and we were all within 7 years of each other, so I don't know why I got to go!) I was 8 years old. I was so enchanted. I had never seen anything like it. I love that same scene too - just wonderful. I next saw it when I was in college on a date. It was even more wonderful than I remembered. I also loved how the tree grew and grew and grew. The music is still some of my favorite Christmas music.

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  2. LuiDecember 3, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Wow! And they allowed you to take pictures! They don't allow cameras during performances here except concerts!

    I love the whole ballet!

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  3. Heirloom treasuresDecember 3, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    no never,but would really love to. The only live ballet I have seen was Swan Lake. I think all live ballet would be magical.
    Your pictures are just lovely. There is something so beautiful about a ballerina in points and those gorgeous tu tu's that is so romantic. xx jeanetteann

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  4. Myric December 3, 2011 at 4:01 AM

    I never had a chance to see it but i would love to! Im pretty surr im gonna cry a tears of joy! Very spectacular!!!

    Xoxo
    Myric

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  5. Gabriela Delworth - Instructional DesignerDecember 3, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    HPS!


    Great shots!


    Gabriela

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  6. AnonymousDecember 3, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    One of my favorites, after Swan Lake. The music is beautiful too.
    Enjoy your Saturday.

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  7. KarenDecember 3, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    My favourite ballet! I must have seen it over 20 times since I was a child! I am taking my granddaughter to see it next week.

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  8. mypinkprettiesaboutmeDecember 3, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Hi, I do have a great memory. I was one of the sugar plum fairies, when I was a little girl. I grew to tall for my ballet dreams. Oh well.

    HPS

    LL

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  9. RhissannaDecember 3, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Here from Pink Saturday! Now I'm going to add little pink ballerinas to my Christmas Tree! I've never seen Nutcracker. Sleeping Beauty, though.

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  10. Grandma Barb's This and ThatDecember 3, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Cindy, I have never seen the ballet, but first learned of it and heard the music when I was in 3rd grade (a long time ago). I went to a 2 room school with grades 1 through 6 and the 2 teachers had us put on the Nutcracker as our Christmas Program. What a job it must have been for them. I was one of the flowers in the Waltz of the Flowers, and did a dance in the Dance of the Reed Flutes. I have loved the music ever since.
    I did see a version of the Nutcracker on Ice several years ago. I would love to see the Ballet.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Barb

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  11. RobinfromCADecember 3, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    Oh, I love the Nutcracker! The music, the dancing, the costumes and the sets are all so enchanting! For those who have never seen the ballet there is a wonderful version on DVD starring the great Mikhail Baryshnikov that I would highly recommend. If you can't see it live you might as well see the best dancer ever!!

    Thanks for sharing these photos and reminding me it's time to watch it again! I was going to get some tickets a couple of months ago but the San Francisco Ballet has raised their prices again - $320 to sit in orchestra! It's me and Misha this year!

    Robin

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  12. Ivy and ElephantsDecember 3, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    I love "The Nutcracker". Such a beautiful and moving performance. I try to see it every year.
    Thanks so much for stopping by our "What's It Wednesday" Linky party. We so hope to see you again next week as well. Remember, it's not a party without you!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  13. J.Rylie.CDecember 3, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Very pretty!

    Pink with Puzzle time, looking forward to see you when you get a chance. Thank you!

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  14. BrendaDecember 3, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Beautiful pictures, Cindy. I love the music by Tchaikovsky as well as the dancers.

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  15. My name is RietDecember 3, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    What a beautiful post Cindy. I haven't seen the nutcracker but I read in the paper it is coming somewhere around here. Must see if I can get tickets. Thank you for showing the beautiful photo's
    Happy oink Saturday

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  16. AnonymousDecember 3, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    You know.....I have never been. And the Richmond Ballet puts a fabulous showing on every year. It's quite a big deal around here. Maybe one day....Happy Pink Saturday :)

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  17. Confessions of a Plate AddictDecember 3, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    I never saw it while growing up, but my mom had the album, so my sister and I made up dances to go along with it....so much fun! It's definitely a classic! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

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  18. AnonymousDecember 3, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Hi Cindy! And, of course, you know I thought of you when I put my Copperfield and Emma photos in my Pink Saturday post!!

    As to The Nutcracker - I've seen it many times. I even recorded a voice-over for a puppet show when I was in college eons ago. We have a very upscale ballet company in our area and they've been performing The Nutcracker with notable guest performers since I was in high school. Always a marvelous show. My kids grew up watching Nutcracker on Ice with Dorothy Hamill - I taped it years ago when it was on TV and my daughter was especially enraptured by it. A beautiful score - I confess when I hear it I twirl about still . . .

    Joy!
    Kathy

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  19. sunnyDecember 3, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Sweetheart Al and I went to the SF Ballet's rendition a couple of years ago and we still talk about the wonder and beauty of it all. Yes, the snowflake scene was magical! You've posted beautiful photographs here, they evoke rich memories of this spectacular ballet.

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  20. OliviaDecember 3, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    I love the nutcracker!!! My sister used to dance in it! Such a beautiful dance and story!
    Hugs,
    Olivia

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  21. Jenny @ Simcoe StreetDecember 4, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    My husband got tickets for us to see it in Toronto in a few weeks - can't wait!

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