Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Zurich 2018, Directed by: Christian Spuck)

Christian Spuck places the literary origin at the heart of his choreography of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" and emphasizes the imaginative narrative of the original instead of the ubiquitous "charming" Christmas fairy tale. The choreography thus tells not only the classic story of Christmas Eve but also the story of Princess Pirlipat, who transforms into a nut monster, just as E.T.A. Hoffmann actually tells it in his novella. On stage, Drosselmeier's workshop transforms into an old revue theater, in which the characters of the story and thus of the ballet come to life. Spuck's choreography plays with the richness of the characters, the absurdity, and the exaggerated humor in Hoffmann's narrative cosmos, from which they emerge, while also allowing a glimpse into the dark depths of the Romantic era. Philharmonia Zürich under the direction of Peter Connelly, together with the Children's Choir & SoprAlti of the Zurich Opera House, ensure an excellent musical realization of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece "The Nutcracker".