Experience The Nutcracker at Home!

Watch a Recording of the Famous Ballet

Get in the spirit of the season with a recorded virtual performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker performed by the United Kingdom’s internationally renowned Royal Ballet.  The ballet, a holiday staple for all ages, can be viewed on Saturday, December 16, and Sunday, December 17.  Registrants will receive an email with a special link to the performance. 

With sumptuous period designs, spellbinding stage effects, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this 2016 performance of The Nutcracker will enchant audiences of all ages.  Performed by Britain's flagship ballet company, registrants can expect to see some of the most elite ballerinas in this performance.

About this performance (taken from Opus Arte)

The Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker is the quintessential Christmas ballet.  When her Nutcracker toy comes to life, young Clara is transported by the magician Drosselmeyer to a magical world of excitement and delight.  Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli dance the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince; Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell take the roles of Clara and the Nutcracker; and Gary Avis is the mysterious, kindly Drosselmeyer.  This performance celebrated Peter Wright’s 90th birthday and a production that has been in The Royal Ballet’s repertory for more than thirty years.  With sumptuous period designs, spellbinding stage effects, and of course, Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Nutcracker continues to enchant audiences of all ages.

The Dancers of the Royal Ballet Company

The Sugar Plum Fairy - Lauren Cuthbertson

The Prince - Federico Bonelli

Herr Drosselmeyer - Gary Avis

Clara - Francesca Hayward

Hans-Peter/The Nutcracker - Alexander Campbell

The Performance

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducted by Boris Gruzin

Choreography by Peter Wright, after Lev Ivanov

Original Score by Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility.  To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com.

Register at bit.ly/WatchTheNutcracker to get your link to this recording.

The recording will only be viewable on Saturday, December 16, and Sunday, December 17.