Conversation – 15

Let there be light.

The Nutcracker Ballet Story
The Most Common of Many Variations

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice” written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same; The story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
When Marius Petipa had the idea to choreograph the story into a ballet, it was actually based on a revision by Alexander Dumas, a well known French author. His version reflects more of what we have come to love as the Nutcracker Ballet.

The Party Scene
It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house — A large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums are hosting their annual Christmas party, welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. The children, Clara and Fritz, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends too.
The party grows festive with music and dance as godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a skilled clock and toy maker and always full of surprises. Drosselmeyer draws everyone’s attention as he presents two life-size dolls. They are the delight of the party, each taking a turn to dance.
The children begin to open gifts when Drosselmeyer presents his to Clara and Fritz. Although his gift to Fritz is quite nice, he gives Clara a beautiful Nutcracker that becomes the hit of the party. Fritz becomes jealous and, having a bit more spunk than a boy should have, grabs the nutcracker from Clara and promptly breaks it. Clara is heartbroken looking on as Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief he magically draws from the air.
As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms.

The Fight Scene
As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. Clara begins shrinking as her beautiful Christmas tree grows high above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of mice, led by the fierce Mouse King. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one. The Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Mouse King.
The Nutcracker and his army can go on no longer and are captured by the mice and their King. Clara makes a final daring charge throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, hitting him square on the head. The Mouse King drops to the floor and the mice run away, carrying off their leader’s lifeless body.

The Land of Snow
The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes Clara on a journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes.

The Land of Sweets
The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances.
The Spanish Dance
The Arabian Dance
The Russian Dance
The Chinese Dance
The Mirliton Dance
The Waltz of Flowers
As a finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux.

The Dream Ends
Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.

Hello Sheba;

Thank you for the flowers. They are thoughtful and most welcome. So glad you have some energy and getting things done.

Today was a first for me. I actually sent a few pieces of Heidi back to HSN. It happens I suppose. However….my little package from SFA Off 5th arrived with the Three Kings of the Sea. It is gorgeous. It would be perfect for a wedding on the beach. Since that is not coming up I will find another or maybe several ways to wear it. It is one of those pieces that look sensational with gold earrings and something simple to wear. It was half price the other day.

As for Holiday shopping….my melancholia might change a little this weekend. A certain so and so is having his dental tomorrow. That is very scary to me. I will send him my good wishes for an easy dental and speedy recovery followed by some praying. If all goes well….we might meet him on the weekend. Nothing is on the calendar for us but his maybe visit to our home. If all goes well….

We will set the date for our Chanukah/Christmas get together with Children, Grandchildren, SIL, BIL and their clan. When I say children; they are all in their late forties to early fifties. Grandkids are adolescents to teenagers. I have not been in the spirit at all and we need to get cracking.

How is your shopping progressing? Am avoiding malls to some extent.

Cherie,

Here is a fun thing to do next time the kids have some time off make a Ginger Bread
House. Your mom will love it.

@taci,

Enjoy the day and the season.

Love this look by Heidi Daus. ♥