The Nutcracker at Den Norske Opera & Ballett

Magical ballet, captivating music and Christmas. For many children, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is their first experience of the Oslo Opera House. For others, it’s a tradition so strong that Christmas isn’t quite the same without it.

The story starts in the family home of the Stahlbaums when the candles on the Christmas tree are lit and party guests old and young start to arrive. The guests include the strange Drosselmeyer, who gives little Clara a nutcracker doll. It appears to be just an ordinary toy, but later, during the night, strange and magical things start to happen.

The Nutcracker is the advent story in which young Clara enters her dreams full of mice and candy canes, snowflakes and flowers – all of which are dancing through the night. The entire Norwegian National Ballet and up to a hundred young dancers from the Norwegian National Ballet School appear, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s score played by the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra.

The Nutcracker has marvellous roles for both young and older dancers: Clara both as a child and an adult, the Snow Queen, the Flower Fairy, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince – everyone gets to show off their talents at Christmas.