Table of Contents
What does the Nutcracker symbolize in the ballet?
A nutcracker is said to represent power and strength, serving somewhat like a watchdog guarding your family against danger. A nutcracker bares its teeth to evil spirits and serves as a messenger of good luck and goodwill. Long ago, rare or unusual nutcrackers were part of the social dining tradition.
What does Clara receive in the Nutcracker?
Clara is the young girl who is the heroine of the story. She receives the Nutcracker doll at her parent’s annual holiday party, which begins the adventure. She wears banana curls and ribbons in her hair, a pretty white dress and petticoats. Fritz is Clara’s mischievous younger brother.
Why does Clara love the Nutcracker?
Clara has a loving relationship with the Nutcracker since she first received him as a gift and immediately fell in love with him, despite being saddened by the story that Drosselmeyer told her about how his nephew Hans was cursed to become the same nutcracker that he gave her.
What did Clara do with her shoe Nutcracker?
She is soon awakened by an army of mice led by their sometimes fearsome, sometimes comical king. Her Nutcracker doll jumps into action and leads an army of soldiers against the mice. Clara throws her shoe at the king, thus providing a distraction that allows the Nutcracker to deal a fatal blow and defeat the king.
Who gives Clara the Nutcracker?
Herr Drosselmeyer
Arriving late in the midst of the celebration is Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara’s mysterious godfather. He entertains everyone with magic tricks and mechanical dolls. Clara begs to have one of the dolls for her very own, but Drosselmeyer denies her request. Instead, he presents her with a wooden nutcracker soldier.
Is the girl in Nutcracker Marie or Clara?
He chose to refer to Clara as “Marie.” Because The Nutcracker ballet developed from two versions of a single book, the lead role of the story is sometimes named “Clara” and sometimes “Marie.” However, in most ballet versions of the story, the little girl who dreams of a living nutcracker is referred to as “Clara.”
Is Marie and Clara the same?
Is the girl in the Nutcracker named Clara or Marie?
CHILD’S PLAY Clara — sometimes called Marie, as in Hoffmann’s original story and in George Balanchine’s version — should be played by a little girl; Drosselmeyer’s nephew (who later becomes the Nutcracker and then little prince) by a little boy. Their only dancing occurs at the opening Christmas party.
What does Clara realize at the end of the ballet?
The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances. As a finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux. Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.
Who are Clara and the Nutcracker greeted by in the Land of Sweets?
the Sugar Plum Fairy
In the second act of “The Nutcracker,” the main characters, Clara and Prince, arrive at the Land of Sweets where they are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy.