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The beautiful ballet "The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky-Il bellissimo balletto "Lo schiaccianoci" di Tchaikovsky

The Nutcracker/El Cascanueces/ Lo Schiaccianoci

"The Nutcracker" performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Ankara

Dec 22, 2025

As Christmas approaches, each sunset is filled with a glow of festive lights that prepare us for the magic of the season. That same spirit permeates "The Nutcracker," one of the world's most beloved plays. The story, set on Christmas Eve, begins when Clara receives a nutcracker as a gift. When the family falls asleep, the girl begins a fantastic journey with her doll: she fights against the Mouse King and travels through the wonderful Land of Sweets.

One of the most remembered moments is the dance of the Sugar Fairy, ruler of that enchanted world, accompanied by the famous music that Tchaikovsky composed for the celesta, an instrument known as the "bell-piano". Based on the book "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E. T. A. Hoffmann, the ballet premiered in 1892 in Russia and has since been reinterpreted by companies around the world.

Today's image shows the performance of "The Nutcracker" in Ankara, performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet, whose snowy silhouettes evoke a fairy tale. In Spain, companies such as the Kiev Ballet present their own versions every year. A perfect invitation to let yourself be carried away by the Christmas magic.

“El Cascanueces” interpretado por la Ópera y Ballet Estatal de Turquía en Ankara

A medida que se acerca la Navidad, cada atardecer se llena de un resplandor de luces festivas que nos preparan para la magia de la temporada. Ese mismo espíritu impregna “El Cascanueces”, una de las obras teatrales más queridas del mundo. La historia, ambientada en Nochebuena, comienza cuando Clara recibe un cascanueces como regalo. Al dormirse la familia, la niña inicia un viaje fantástico junto a su muñeco: lucha contra el Rey Ratón y recorre la maravillosa Tierra de los Dulces.

Uno de los momentos más recordados es el baile del Hada de Azúcar, gobernante de ese mundo encantado, acompañado por la célebre música que Tchaikovsky compuso para la celesta, un instrumento conocido como “campana-piano”. Basado en el libro “El Cascanueces y el Rey de los Ratones”, de E. T. A. Hoffmann, el ballet se estrenó en 1892 en Rusia y desde entonces ha sido reinterpretado por compañías de todo el mundo.

La imagen de hoy muestra la actuación de “El Cascanueces” en Ankara, interpretada por la Ópera y Ballet Estatal de Turquía, cuyas siluetas nevadas evocan un cuento de hadas. En España, compañías como el Ballet de Kiev presentan cada año sus propias versiones. Una invitación perfecta para dejarse llevar por la magia navideña.

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Gianfranco Maitilasso Grossi

Editor, curator, and founder of bilingual platforms focused on cultural critique, legacy-building, and editorial transparency. Based in Spain, active across Europe and Southeast Asia.Championing editorial clarity, mythic publishing, and queer voice.