Based on Peter Tchaikovsky’s world-famous music, such as the Waltz of the Flowers or the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, John Neumeier’s The Nutcracker invites you to dream. The ballet tells the story of 12-year-old Marie, who receives a nutcracker and a pair of shiny, pink ballet shoes as a birthday present. In her dreams, she meets the eccentric ballet master Drosselmeier, who guides her in discovering the fascination of the theatre world, until she starts dancing herself, experiences her first love and becomes a young woman. Paying homage to Marius Petipa and his legendary choreographies, John Neumeier presents his unique version of this classic is a coming-of-age story, presented in colourful costumes and an opulent set design by Jürgen Rose.
The Nutcracker – A ballet by John Neumeier
Ballet master Drosselmeier takes Marie to the court theater, where she dances in new pointe shoes with cadet Günther—who gives her a mysterious nutcracker. John Neumeier’s touching choreography tells the story of saying goodbye to childhood. John Neumeier’s choreography tells the story of saying goodbye to childhood and growing up. In the course of the piece, the childlike Marie not only discovers the world of theater for herself, but also falls in love for the first time and matures into a young woman. John Neumeier’s unique version of this classic is a coming-of-age story and at the same time a tribute to the legendary ballet master and choreographer Marius Petipa, who brought classical ballet to perfection in the 19th century. The Hamburg Ballet dazzles with virtuoso elegance and opulent imagery – a Christmas fairy tale that gets under your skin.