The legendary ballet “The Nutcracker” has undoubtedly earned the title of a world classic and the love of the audience, it is the most popular work of the festive period. Many of the most prestigious theaters in the world include it in their repertoire. The two-part ballet is based on the fairy tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E. T. A. Hoffmann. The magical music for the ballet was created back in the 19th century by composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The ballet’s choreography was set by the French-born dancer, ballet master and teacher Marius Petipa. His most important ballets are: “Don Quixote”, “La Bajadera”, “Raymonda”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Swan Lake”. The premiere of “The Nutcracker” took place in 1892, the ballet was conducted by the Italian composer Riccardo Eugenio Drigo, and the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy was performed by the Italian prima ballerina Antonietta Dell’Era. The Nutcracker’s long-awaited hour of glory came much later in the United States, when choreographer George Balanchine presented his version of the work to the world at the New York City Ballet in 1954. By the late 1960s, The Nutcracker had become a ballet that was indispensable at the big holidays of the year.

This is a ballet full of mystery and miracles, poetry and beauty. On January 2nd. At the Compensa Concert Hall and on January 3rd. at the Žalgiris Arena we will see a magical, always making you believe in miracles and illustrating the struggle between evil and good, mysterious, to Venice, full of the most delicious sweets, transporting the whole family to the performance “The Nutcracker”, which will be presented by the Ukrainian Classical Etoile Ballet. One of the most famous and most appreciated classical ballet troupes of Ukraine, which has been delighting not only Ukraine, but also all of Europe and the United States with its performances for 15 years, is finally coming to Lithuania straight from the Nutcracker tour in Germany. The stage will feature Ukrainian Prima Ballerina I. Khandazhevskaya, who has the Honored Artist of Ukraine award (Заслужена артистка України) and other ballet soloists who have won international awards and danced in the most prestigious theaters. It is no secret that the Ukrainian ballet is one of the strongest in the world! It is important to note that this is not a joint ballet, brought together for one performance, but a constantly operating unified ballet. This ensures the highest standards of performance and harmonious magic of dancers on the theater stage.

On stage, we will see the newly created, luxurious decorations of the Nutcracker ballet for the 2024–2025 season, the highest level of professionalism of ballet dancers, magical music, unforgettable staging and festive mood!
“Ballet is beauty and inspiration, it is a dream and magic, it is art that transports you to another world. We invite Lithuanian audiences to our performances and believe that you will enjoy this complex and powerful art.” – Ukrainian Classical Etoile Ballet
Let’s meet the first days of the New Year in a memorable way! See you at the World Classics: Ballet “The Nutcracker” performances in Lithuania!