The nutcracker is a twoact ballet by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. Clara, a ballet student, is celebrating at a christmas eve party. Sir peter wrights the nutcracker started life in 1984 and despite being rolled out virtually every christmas since still feels timeless. This worldfamous production by sir peter wright, with exquisite designs by john macfarlane, is acclaimed as one of the best. This is a good example of classical ballet as the originators saw it. Hoffmann, featuring choreography by royal ballets famous choreographer sir. Artist peter tchaikovsky, dpfiachra terence wilbraham trench, prs. Street decorations, in the shops, indeed all around us, signs of christmas seem to arrive ever earlier, but in birmingham you really know the festive season is really coming soon with the first sighting of sir peter wrights glorious nutcracker. Jul 29, 2014 peter wrights production of the nutcracker is considered the worlds most beautiful, and coupled with tchaikovskys beloved score, it truly is a magical experience for the whole family. Birmingham royal ballets evergreen production of the nutcracker has been part of the citys christmas tradition for over 26 years and returns to birmingham hippodrome this november.
Clara and the nutcracker is director yelena holts retelling of the classic holiday story the nutcracker suite by e. Not being born and all, i obviously missed the 1991 performance. And call me an old romantic if you like, but what truly sets the. Former birmingham royal ballet director david bintley. The magical tale is wonderful played with fantastic clarity and the sets and costumes are sumptuous without being overly ostentatious. Finn the sugar plum fairy momoko hirata the prince joseph caley drosselmeyer, a magician jonathan payn clara, a ballet student karla doorbar. A nutcracker gift that keeps on giving, thanks to peter wright and john macfarlane. It emphasises drosselmeyers mission to find a young girl clara who can break the curse imposed by the mouse king on his nephew hans peter and thus restore him to.
Choreographer and director peter wright is one of the most eminent names in ballet. Wrights treatment of the prerevolutionary russian masterpiece is also celebrating its 25th birthday this year. Oct 16, 2014 peter wrights the nutcracker is famous for its gorgeous costumes, theatrical sets and spectacular props. This is all the more so when you have a clara and a hans peter.
Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet so it is. The sweets of the nutcracker the australian ballet. Friday 25 november 2016 sir peter wrights production of the nutcracker celebrating sir peters 90th birthday music pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. Peter wrights the nutcracker is famous for its gorgeous costumes, theatrical sets and spectacular props. John macfarlanes ravishing design moves from a richly crimson edwardian home to the sparkling land of snow to the vivid land of sweets in a series of breathtaking transformations with costumes to match. It would need a very hard heart not to be warmed by sir peter wrights sparkling production of the nutcracker for the royal ballet and it was. Dec 21, 2016 choreographer peter wright reflects what makes his classic royal ballet production of the nutcracker so magical, more than three decades after its premiere. Join young clara as she is swept away into an enchanting winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and a sugar plum fairy. Choreographer peter wright reflects what makes his classic royal ballet production of the nutcracker so magical, more than three decades. The royal ballet celebrates peter wrights 90th birthday. Lev ivanovs 1892 ballet combined with tchaikovskys sumptuous, iconic score are presented in a festive period setting with vivid designs to make this a charming and magical production.
Nov 23, 2018 tickets are selling fast for our 2018 performances of nutcracker so book now for the best choice of seats and widest range of concessions. Peter wright s royal ballet production is among the most. Tuesday 29 november 2016 sir peter wrights production of the nutcracker music pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. The royal ballets production and interpretation of the story was created by sir peter wright and premiered at the royal opera house in 1984.
Ahead of the company opening its annual season at londons royal albert hall of the nutcracker, which david himself adapted from sir peter wrights landmark birmingham production, ceo. Sir peter wrights versions sir peters 1984 version of the nutcracker for the royal ballet, still performed by the company, stays close to hoffmanns original tale. We are proud to have worked with david in creating in birmingham such a force for world dance. Jul 24, 2019 kevin jackson in peter wrights the nutcracker. Jun 17, 2016 sir peter wright memoir reveals monster feuds of ballet greats. The royal ballet, orchestra of the royal opera house covent. Jul 20, 2016 alice pennefather photographs sir peter wrights production of the nutcracker with francesca hayward, alexander campbell, iana salenko and steven mcrae. This worldfamous production by sir peter wright, with exquisite designs by john macfarlane, is acclaimed as one of the best in the world. He is known for his work on peter and the wolf 1965, zodiac 1966 and the green table 1967. He had already created a nutcracker for the royal ballet, but in 1990, when he became founding director of brb, wright surpassed his former.
Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet. Clara and the nutcracker is director yelena holts retelling of the classic story the nutcracker suite by e. Friday matinee 27 november 2015 sir peter wrights production of the nutcracker music pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. Finn the sugar plum fairy nao sakuma the prince mathias dingman drosselmeyer, a magician rory mackay clara, a ballet student arancha baselga act i. In 1990, wright staged a new production for the birmingham royal ballet that differed quite vastly from his 1985 production. The magician, drosselmeyer, gives her a nutcracker doll and when the clock strikes twelve, dreams and magic are unleashed as the.
Sir peter wright s choreography is exactly right for this, and the russian dance, with 2 cossackstyle tumblers and the nutcracker becomehero have some gymnastics that made me ache all over and want to see my chiropractor. This version omits the overture and the marche, and the remaining dances are reordered the accompanying. May 22, 2016 alice pennefather photographs sir peter wright s production of the nutcracker with francesca hayward, alexander campbell, iana salenko and steven mcrae. Tchaikovsky compiled his suite from the ballet the nutcracker, op. The nutcracker from the royal ballet introduction great. The outline below represents the selection and sequence of the nutcracker suite culled by the composer. Sir peter wright is a british ballet teacher, choreographer, director and former professional dancer. In 1990, wright staged a new production for the birmingham royal ballet that.
The suite used in fantasia is a slightly altered version of the nutcracker suite selected by the composer. The cast runs the gamut, from youngsters making their stage debut as dancers to advanced accomplished dancers performing en pointe. Photography jeff busby interrupting the banquet was originally a buffons or jesters dance set to the stirring russian trepak and the dance of the mirlitons, with its delightful scoring for flutes. Birmingham royal ballet presents sir peter wright s the nutcracker. A nutcracker gift that keeps on giving, thanks to peter. Tickets for the nutcracker at birmingham hippodrome in 2017 are now on sale, 24 november to december. Arabian dance, chinese dance, dance of the flutes, waltz of the flowers. He worked as a choreographer and as the artistic director of birmingham royal ballet, a classical ballet company based in birmingham, england. Nov 24, 2016 last night the royal ballet dedicated the performance of the nutcracker to its choreographer sir peter wright who tomorrow, 25 november,celebrates his 90th birthday.
The original production was staged by marius petipa on 18 december 1892, premiering on a doublebill with a now semiforgotten tchaikovsky opera, iolanta. Sir peter wrights version of the sleeping beauty has stood the test of time, though this opening night of the tour in southampton didnt always convince that the work has a place of adoration in the companys heart. Sir peter wrights birmingham nutcracker serves up a. Hoffmann, featuring choreography by the royal ballets sir peter wright and the enchanting musical score of pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. Nov 24, 2016 wright would, one suspects, be the first to admit that he is a curator and producerdirector first and a choreographer second.
News and features regarding the nutcracker by peter wright. The original ballet was created by marius petipa and lev inavov with an original music score composed by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. Tchaikovskys adaptation of the story the nutcracker and the mouse king by e. Peter wright s interpretation of the nutcracker has been enchanting children and adults alike since its first performance by the royal ballet in 1984. Not just any old nutcracker, mind, but the 500th performance of sir peter wright s bespoke production. The royal ballets nutcracker to be relayed live to cinemas on 8 december 2016.
Finn the sugar plum fairy yijing zhang the prince tyrone singleton drosselmeyer, a magician valentin olovyannikov clara, a ballet student beatrice parma. One child who succumbed to the delights of this delectable cavalcade was a young george balanchine, who danced in the nutcracker as a student at the imperial ballet school. With interest i returned to sir peter wrights 1984 staging after much too long a time away and was encouraged to read his synopsis telling of. Sir peter wrights the nutcracker birmingham hippodrome.
It was the only one of his three ballet suites to have been compiled an published during the composers lifetime. His royal ballet productions of the nutcracker and giselle are among the most popular works in the companys repertory wright made his debut as a dancer with ballets jooss during world war ii. Originally designed for the hippodrome by sir peter wright, the nutcracker has a special place in birminghams heart. Leopold stokowski conducting the philadelphia orchestra. Finn the sugar plum fairy yaoqian shang the prince william bracewell drosselmeyer, a magician iain mackay clara, a ballet student miki mizutani act i.
Tomorrow afternoon, birmingham royal ballet will dance a matinee of the nutcracker. Sir peter wright s enchanting vision of the nutcracker continues to delight. Not just any old nutcracker, mind, but the 500th performance of sir peter wrights bespoke production. Aug 12, 20 the australian ballet peter wrights the nutcracker.
Sir peter wright memoir reveals monster feuds of ballet. Tchaikovsky, royal philharmonic orchestra, sir adrian boult. Choreography peter wright, lev ivanov, vincent redmon. With interest i returned to sir peter wrights 1984 staging after much too long a time away and was encouraged to read his synopsis telling of how the wicked queen of the mice cast a spell over drosselmeyers nephew, hanspeter, which transformed him into an ugly nutcracker doll. Sir peter wright, cbe born 25 november 1926 is a british ballet teacher, choreographer, director and former professional dancer. Clara and the nutcracker is a delightful version of the classic holiday tale the nutcracker suite by e. Revised by sir peter wright with sets designed by julia trevelyan oman, the new royal ballet production features an acclaimed cast, including.
It would need a very hard heart not to be warmed by sir peter wrights sparkling production of the nutcracker for the royal ballet and it was especially heartening to see this nonagenarian in the audience to celebrate another years opening of one of. Birmingham royal ballet at the birmingham hippodrome november 25, 2016. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. He is one of the most eminent names in ballet, and between 1977 to 1995 he held the position of artistic director to the birmingham royal ballet previously the sadlers wells royal ballet, where he still holds the title of director laureate. The nutcracker sets, costumes and magic the australian.
More festive fare how fitting that sir peter wright celebrated his 90th birthday on opening night of the latest nutcracker which seems better than ever. Choreographer peter wright reflects what makes his classic royal ballet production of the nutcracker so magical, more than three decades after its premiere. The nutcracker tchaikovsky, peter wright, irek mukhamedov. Hoffmann was commissioned by the director of the imperial theatres ivan vsevolozhsky in 1891. He made it in 1990 as a thank you to the city fathers for supporting his ballet company. Recorded november 10, 1926 at the academy of music in philadelphia. The suite derived and abridged from the ballet became more popular for a time than the ballet itself, mainly because the complete ballet was not performed in the u. Tchaikovsky the nutcracker the royal ballet dvd, 2001. Choreographer peter wright on what makes the nutcracker so. A second opportunity to attend this sumptuous presentation of peter wright s the nutcracker was too good to pass up, especially the chance to see popular principals adam bull and amber scott in full flight. The audience react to this festive ballet as it returns to cinemas across the world in sir peter wrights 90th birthday year. Peter wrights royal ballet production is among the most. In 1959, sir peter was appointed ballet master to sadlers wells opera and teacher at the royal ballet school. Sunday matinee 4 december 2016 sir peter wrights production of the nutcracker music pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky.
Miniature overture, march, dance of the sugar plum fairy, trepak russian dance. Sir peter wrights choreography is exactly right for this, and the russian dance, with 2 cossackstyle tumblers and the nutcrackerbecomehero have some gymnastics that made me ache all over and want to see my chiropractor. Hes cracked it why the ballet world is nuts for peter wright. Cw 32, popularly known as the nutcracker suite, in january and february 1892. Royal opera house, london a judicious blend of magic and realism allows the dancers in peter wrights production maximum expressive licence. His other production for the royal ballet, giselle, is another of the most popular works that the company performs. Hes cracked it why the ballet world is nuts for peter. In 1985, sir peter wright staged a new production for the royal ballet that was partially inspired by hoffmanns original story and the notation scores by nikolai sergeyev. Her magical christmas tree and her handsome prince with his army.
David bintleys version of the nutcracker for birmingham royal ballet, which works from the choreography of lev ivanov, vincent redmon and sir. His production of the christmas favourite is the most performed production that the company has in its repertoire. Tchaikovskys the nutcracker ballet has had many facelifts over the years. It is a guaranteed sellout each year and can withstand repeated series of performances with umpteen cast changes, so, i suspect, if it aint broke dont fix it. Charles thompson, benedicte bemet and rohan furnell in sir peter wrights the nutcracker. Birmingham royal ballet presents sir peter wrights the. Her magical christmas tree and her handsome prince with his army of toy sol. Sir peter wright, the grand old man of british ballet celebrates his 90th birthday this was a fine performance of the nutcracker lauren cuthbertson and federico bonelli make for a handsome couple and are well suited to each other both physically and temperamentally the company did sir peter proud at this performance. Wright made his debut as a dancer with ballets jooss during world war ii. Like so many of his contemporaries, balanchine grew to appreciate the miracle of sugar. Sir peter wrights birmingham nutcracker serves up a festive.
Sir peter wright memoir reveals monster feuds of ballet greats this article is more than 3 years old rudolf nureyev is recalled as a troubled man who pushed people, behaving appallingly in. Sir peter wright, cbe the national ballet of canada. Peter wright s version of the nutcracker is a wonderfully lavish production and an absolute delight for all viewers. Birmingham royal ballets evergreen production of the nutcracker has been part of the citys christmas tradition for 25 years. Hoffmann, featuring choreography by royal ballets famous choreographer sir peter wright. The royal ballet the nutcracker peter wrights 90th. Coryphee corey herbert explains why theres no traditional nutcracker as magical as peter wrights, and. His royal ballet productions of the nutcracker and giselle are among the most popular works in the companys repertory. Theres nothing like a traditional nutcracker to get you in the mood for the festive season. The australian ballet peter wrights the nutcracker youtube. Peter wrights interpretation of the nutcracker has been enchanting children and adults alike since its first performance by the royal ballet in 1984.
Producer sir peter wright on the royal ballet production sir anthony dowell on the role of herr drosselmeyer fixed wide shots of the snowflakes and transformation scenes subtitles. As animated in fantasia, it does not make use of a christmas setting at all, although snow and ice are shown near the end of it. Its close to quarter of a century since sir peter wright choreographed his nutcracker for the birmingham royal ballet. All the delights of a traditional nutcracker the christmas tree that grows to towering heights, the flying goose, the sugar plum fairy, the dancing rats, the sweets are gloriously. Sir peter wright usually sticks to tradition in his productions, and you. Talented youngsters make their stage debut, while preprofessionals and guest professionals perform traditional roles that have been tests of merit for decades of. Peter wrights version of the nutcracker is a wonderfully lavish production and an absolute delight for all viewers. Dec 28, 2019 as the company opens its annual season at londons royal albert hall of the nutcracker, which david himself adapted from sir peter wright s landmark birmingham production, ceo caroline miller said. Peter wright sets his nutcracker in fairytale bygone times when children were allowed still to be children, and grownups werent afraid to bump into each other under the mistletoe at christmas festivities in case they were wrongly accused of something. The royal ballet describes his productions of the nutcracker and giselle as among its most popular works. Dec 24, 2003 revised by sir peter wright with sets designed by julia trevelyan oman, the new royal ballet production features an acclaimed cast, including ivan putrov as the nutcracker, alina cojocaru as clara. Dance of the reed flutes from the nutcracker suite. The nutcracker sets, costumes and magic the australian ballet. It was first performed in at the marinsky theatre in st petersburg in 1892.