BALLET SYNOPSIS
Act I
Scene I
A festive town square in a small city. Masha arrives with her parents. A beautiful fairy-tale Christmas tree sparkles with lights. Parents present Christmas gifts to their children, filling the square with joy. Drosselmeyer appears dressed as Santa Claus. The children gather around him as he takes toys from a large box and hands them out.
None of the toys interest Masha, and she begins to lose interest. Drosselmeyer then gives her a Nutcracker. Delighted, Masha immediately treasures the unusual gift. The adults and children leave after seeing the odd-looking toy. Masha sees the Nutcracker not as an ugly doll, but as a kind-hearted and noble hero, and begins to dance with him. When everyone returns, the Nutcracker suddenly breaks. Masha asks Santa Claus for help. As he removes his costume, she discovers that he is actually Drosselmeyer. He magically brings the Nutcracker back to life.
Scene II
Masha's bedroom. The Nutcracker rests beneath the Christmas tree among the other toys.
Masha puts the toys to bed, and everyone falls asleep. Drosselmeyer appears and stages a battle between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker, drawing Masha into a new adventure. Overcoming her fear, Masha bravely comes to the Nutcracker's aid during the unequal battle.
Drosselmeyer ends the fight and transforms the Nutcracker into a handsome Prince. Together with the now-grown Masha, they set off on a magical journey through the awakening world of nature. Snowflakes accompany Masha and the Prince, filling their adventure with wonder and new challenges.
Act II
Nature awakens and comes to life. Drosselmeyer enters, followed by Masha, the Nutcracker, and the other toys. The Mouse King and his followers pursue them. In a final duel, the brave Nutcracker defeats the Mouse King.
Drosselmeyer is overjoyed, as his long-awaited dream has finally come true.
2 December 2026
"THE NUTCRACKER"
(A Ballet in Two Acts)
Composer – Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Conductor – Honoured Artist Ayyub Guliyev
Choreographers – People's Artist Rafiqa Akhundova, People's Artist Maqsud Mammadov
Ballet Masters / Rehearsal Directors – People's Artist Madina Aliyeva, People's Artist Gulagasi Mirzayev, Honoured Artist Yuri Lobachev
Production Designer – Maria Sokolova
Scenic Artist – Honoured Cultural Worker Tehran Babayev
Stage Director – Honoured Artist Yuri Lobachev
Concertmaster – Zuleykha Usubova
Cast
Masha – Liana Prague (Role Debut)
Prince – Aleksandr Suldin
Drosselmeyer – Agamir Mirzayev
