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During the Romantic era a theatrical art form known as ballet gained massive popularity. Originating in Paris, France during the early nineteenth century, its popularity allowed it to move from the court to the theater where it was enjoyed as a form of middle class entertainment.  Many ballets similar to the <i>Nutcracker</i> all were inspired from popular legends and fairy tales, including <i>La Sylphine</i>, <i>Giselle, Swan Lake</i>, <i>and Sleeping Beauty</i>. Most of the ballets from the Romantic era all share a common similarity, the female central figure (Fiero). Many of the Romanticist believes that the female central protagonist often is portrayed as an angelic majestic female that symbolizes the ideals of love and beauty that was seen in most Romantic piece (Fiero).

The Nutcracker ballet was one of two pieces composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s and choreographed by Marius Petipa that premiered in St. Petersburg in December of 1892. The plot of the Nutcracker is based on German writer E.T.A. Hoffman titled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The story revolves around the adventures Marie (later Clara) is given a Nutcracker by her godfather as a present at a Christmas Eve party. Depending on the choreography the Marie is sent to a foreign land where sugar plum fairies, dancing snowflakes, and an army of rats roam the land.

Originally the nutcracker was seen as a failure, audiences were confused, and critics thought negatively of it. Much of the criticism came from  Tchaikovsky’s choice to ignore the romantic ballet formula, as the plot began going in one direction then move to another , and to make matters worse prima ballerina did not make an entrance until the end of the play (Patrick).

121 years have passed since the nutcracker first premiered in St. Petersburg, and it has become one of the most popular ballets during the winter holidays.  Its popularity has become immense that ballet schools are becoming so dependent on the earnings from the nutcracker to support other activities throughout the year (???).  Valin claims that the Houston Ballet’s annual market doubles its Nutcracker ticket take making 25 percent of the organization’s annual budget, the Roxey Ballet in Lambert ville, New Jersey makes 30 percent of its annual budget from the Nutcracker.  During these 121 years the Nutcracker’s story has changed drastically. Depending on the choreography, the protagonist (Clara, Mary, Marie, or Masha) is given a nutcracker by her godfather during a Christmas party. Sometimes she’s defending the nutcracker from the King or the mice, rats, coyotes, and even a mouse queen. Even though the plot changes, Tchaikovsky’s music is always included in the ballet (Patrick).

Iolantra was the first piece that premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892. ().  Iolantra is a one act opera based on the play King Rene’s Daughter. The plot revolves around a blind princess that is unaware of her lost sight or her wealth. Even though Iolantra lives a life of luxury she still finds that she is missing something that she cannot possess. Iolantra’s father sentences death to any one that reveals the truth to Iolantra.  Tchaikovsky worked on both Iolantra and The nutcracker simultaneously from 1861 to early 1892, usually working on one piece then switching to the other. When compared nutcracker, Iolantra has a consistent plot and neat resolution. Both of the female protagonist are safe in the sanctuary their family. One is enchanted by the toy symbol of a man, the other by the voice of man that reveals her the truth to her misery. In both pieces the heroine rescues the life of the hero, Iolantra by opening her eyes, while Clara saving the nutcracker by throwing her slipper at the Mouse king. The critic Herman Laroche that claims Iolantra and the nutcracker are independent halves of a theatrical whole, stating “In the creative process from the very beginning [Tchaikovsky] imagined a certain unity of impression, and in certain features directly strove for such unity. The unity, however, is based on contrast.”(). Iolantra is about hearing while the Nutcracker is about seeing. Since Iolantra is blind her world is without color, Tchaikovsky’s orchestration of the opera is colorless. The nutcracker is considered a vivid ballet that awes its audience with its colorful props and its charming orchestra.

Due to a series of unfortunate events, I never had to the chance to witness the Nutcracker during my childhood so I never really appreciate the fairy tale ballet that captivated children during the holidays. During the winter of 2011, I finally managed to buy some tickets, and I was impressed. The Dance of the sugar plum fairies featured a single ballerina swaying her body to each and every note, allowing the audience to sense the timid behavior of the fairies. What started as an average sized Christmas tree transformed into a massive living vivid stage. Inanimate object began slowly swaying as the orchestra played softly, suddenly the music picks up and we see the objects dancing gracefully to the cheery tone. The Nutcracker brought a small piece of nostalgia that gets lost along the path to adulthood.  The Nutcracker will help future generations revisit an older time where fairy tales, music, and dance are starting to be seen as one piece. The Nutcracker’s charming ballet soothes the eyes and raises the spirits with its elegant music, stunning choreography that captures the winter holiday spirit flawlessly.
<p align="center">Works Cited</p>
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eidelman, tamara. "Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker." <i>Russian Life</i> 55.6 (2012): 24. <i>MasterFILE Premier</i>. Web. 5 Nov. 2013 explores the history of the Nutcracker. Provided some basic information.

Fiero Gloria K “The Humanistic Tradition”, Sixth Edition, Books 3 through 6, by. McGraw-Hill, 2011. An analysis of humanitarian works, ranging from the renaissance to the present. Explained ballet’s structure during the Romantic era.

Jacobs, Laura. "The Nutcracker": A New Awakening." <i>New Criterion</i> 29.7 (2011): 17-22. <i>Literary Reference Center</i>. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. An indepth article that discusses the Nutcracker, its origin, a comparison to another of Tchaikovsky’s work, and the analysis of a recent Nutcracker ballet. Helped me understand how similar and different the forgotten Iolantra is to the Nutcracker.

Patrick, K.C. "Nutcrackers, Notcrackers And Joy To The World." <i>Dance Magazine</i> 74.12 (2000): 42. <i>Academic Search Complete</i>. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. An article that looks at the Nutcracker’s past, present, and future’s popularity. Helped me find more basic information

Valin, Kathy. "Nutcracker $$$ Dreams." <i>Dance Magazine</i> 79.12 (2005): 94. <i>MasterFILE Premier</i>. Web. 5 Nov. 2013. How important the Nutcracker’s popularity effected ballet schools and an estimate on how much income was generated during its holiday premiere. Helped me find important figures that determined its popularity.