The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is an obligatory work on the Staatsballett Berlin program: Vasily Medvedev and Yuri Burlaka, two Russian choreographers and connoisseurs of the ballet tradition, have created a version for the Staatsballett Berlin based on the scenery and choreography used at its world premiere in 1892. Set and costume designs are adapted from the historical templates, which are part of the treasures of Russia’s ballet archives. The choreography, which was created for the premiere by Lev Ivanov, is largely based on his specifications. It was he who helped define ballet’s characteristic standards of taste and whose art is setting ballet styles to this day.