The Nutcracker Ballet, 2011 (photo: Sherif Sonbol)
The Cairo Opera Ballet Company, conducted by Nayer Nagui, will perform The Nutcracker ballet at the Cairo Opera House from 26 to 30 December.
For over twenty years, the troupe has been presenting Tchaikovsky’s prominent work during the Christmas holiday season, as the story itself takes place on Christmas Eve.
Choreographed by Marius Petipa, the ballet is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, which is itself adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s original story.
The tale follows a young girl who dreams of toys that come to life as the clock strikes midnight, with the nutcracker given to her by a mysterious magician transforming into a prince who must save the toys from an army of mice led by the fearsome rat king.
The Nutcracker has a special history in Egypt, where the ballet company's late director Abdel Moneim Kamel reworked the masterpiece to add his own touch of artistry. Kamel was able to enrich the characters, while preserving their key traits as well as the piece’s authenticity.
With a beautiful set design and enchanting music depicting the character’s fairytale dream, the Nutcracker makes a perfect family outing.
Programme:
Daily, 26-30 December at 8pm
main hall, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek.
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