The Nutcracker in Salzburg. International Festival Ballet & Festival Orchestra 4 January 2026

A fabulous Russian ballet for young and old alike. A perfect work of art with live orchestral accompaniment, The Nutcracker ballet is based on Alexander Dumas' fairy tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Tchaikovsky's musical version premiered in St. Petersburg on December 18, 1892 with choreography by Lev Ivanov and delighted both children and adults.

The art of classical ballet is often praised by critics around the world. But, as the saying goes, "it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times". Experience the beautiful ballet The Nutcracker accompanied by the International Festival Ballet and the Hungarian Festival Orchestra.

Marie takes center stage. On Christmas Eve, she receives a gift from her godfather, Drosselmeyer, of a nutcracker. As she falls asleep, she dreams of a battle between toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker and the Mouse King's army. With her help, the Nutcracker emerges victorious and is transformed into a prince. Together with Marie, the prince travels to the kingdom of sweets. The journey takes them through a fir forest to Zuckerburg Castle, where the sugar fairy throws a feast in honor of her guests. In addition, the magnificent sets by brilliant theater artist Vyacheslav Okunev, who has worked at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan, the beautiful costumes, and the boundless elegance and carefree ease of the International Festival Ballet ensemble provide a fairytale version of a classic ballet that continues to enchant even after more than 100 years.

The International Festival Ballet is a highly accomplished ensemble whose rigorous classical elegance, fresh 21st century breath and impeccable dance execution have captivated audiences around the world. The company consists of 42 dancers. All dancers are graduates of the best Russian ballet schools, such as St. Petersburg Vaganova Academy, Kiev State Choreographic Academy, Moscow Academy of Choreography, Ufa Ballet School and Perm Ballet Academy. The ensemble has also collaborated with the best ballet theaters and won many prizes and awards at international ballet festivals and competitions. The 42 dancers of the International Festival Ballet make up one of the most beautiful and strongest ballet companies, as well as one of the most famous in the world.