Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker

The words

Tchaikovsky Research: The Nutcracker (opens a new tab)

1. Celesta

   The bell-like keyboard instrument Tchaikovsky ordered from Paris.

2. Clara

   The girl who receives the nutcracker.

3. Drosselmeyer

   Clara’s godfather, who brings the nutcracker.

4. Dumas

   Alexandre Dumas, whose 1845 French version the ballet followed.

5. Hoffmann

   E. T. A. Hoffmann, author of the original tale (1816).

6. Iolanta

   Tchaikovsky’s opera on the same opening bill.

7. King of the Mice

   The villain Clara defeats with her slipper.

8. Lev Ivanov

   Balletmaster who produced the first staging.

9. Mariinsky

   The St Petersburg theatre of the 1892 premiere.

10. Nutcracker

    The toy soldier nutcracker of the ballet.

11. Petipa

    Marius Petipa, who compiled the libretto and plan.

12. Slipper

    What Clara throws to save the Nutcracker.

13. Snowflakes

    The snowflakes of the waltz that ends Act I.

14. Sugar Plum

    The Sugar Plum Fairy of the Kingdom of Sweets.

15. Tchaikovsky

    Pyotr Tchaikovsky, composer of The Nutcracker.