With the holiday season being over, many are raving about The Nutcracker, a show put on every year during the holidays, with a story known by many. This year, Montreal hosted the classical ballet at the Place Des Arts Theater between December 12th-December 31st. The 2013 show marked the 50-year anniversary of the ballet, putting on a flawless spectacle as always. The ballet was created for Montreal’s very own Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal by Quebec dancer-choreographer Fernand Nault. The production comprises of about 100 dancers, many of which are eager children, who audition every year to get a role in the ballet, most importantly for the role of Clara and Fritz. The music of the ballet is Tchaikovsky by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens Orchestra, conducted by Allan Lewis and Oleksiy Baklan.
This time the room was filled with adults and children, both on and off stage. The production took spectators on the journey of Clara and the nutcracker, with decoration, props and costumes that perfectly depicted the holiday season. The decoration is typically filled with blues, whites and golds, giving off a wintery feeling, with beautiful costumes filling the stage. With a successful show every year, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal have once more proven their worth in a production that is enjoyed by many and loved by most. The company has also extended their part in making the holiday season memorable for Montrealers by starting The Nutcracker Christmas Market and Fund for Children in 2010. The Nutcracker Christmas Market is a non-profit organization that donates 10% of their earnings to the Fund for Children, an organization that allows underprivileged children to enjoy a free performance of the show. The Nutcracker is an annual show that’s become a tradition for Montreal, not only bringing the community together but also sharing the experience with tourists as well as children in need during the holiday season.
175 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montréal, QC H2X 1Y9
(514) 285-4200