The story begins on Christmas Eve, in the home of the Stalhbaums, a large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The family is hosting its annual party. The children, Clara and Fritz dance and play and welcome guests. The party is festive and Godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a skilled clock and toymaker and he presents two life size dolls as well as gifts for the children, including a beautiful nutcracker for Clara. Overjoyed Clara falls asleep with the nutcracker in her arms.
At the stroke of midnight, the toys come to life and the room fills with mice led by the fierce Mouse King who does battle with the Nutcracker and overpowers him. Clara charges the Mouse King and throwing her slipper at him, he falls to the floor unconscious.
The Music of the Nutcracker composed by Peter Tchaikovsky
The music of the Nutcracker Ballet was composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Born in the Ural Mountains of Russia, he dedicated his life to music. 1850 to 1859, he attended the school of Jurisprudence and studied piano. Tchaikovsky taught at the Moscow Conservatory while composing many of his concertos and symphonies.
