Iolanta / The Nutcracker
Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowsky
Opera libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky
Lyric opera & fairy-tale ballet Ballet based on the story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E. T. A. Hoffmann
Synopsis
Tchaikovsky’s opera “Iolanta” and his ballet “The Nutcracker” are enchanting, ambiguous and mysterious. Created as a double bill for the world premiere in 1892, the two compositions are now rarely performed together. The Salzburg State Theatre presents both works as a reunited entity in an extraordinary concept.
Iolanta’s blindness is a closely guarded secret; even Iolanta herself knows nothing about it. Her father, King René, has given orders that nobody is to make her aware of her condition. One day, Count Vaudémont gains access to her and breaks the King’s command, endangering his own life. But before Iolanta’s inner eyes, a fantastic world unfolds: There, young Marie has to surpass her fears to assist her beloved, the Nutcracker.
“Iolanta” and “The Nutcracker” are two sides of the same coin in Tchaikovsky’s oeuvre: Lyrically tender in the opera, dazzlingly playful in the ballet, the music permeates the score in richly faceted colours. In the version of Thomas Mika and Reginaldo Oliveira, opera and ballet are closely intertwined and together make up a grand narrative.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s (1840–1893) grand ballets are among the highlights of their genre. While “The Nutcracker” soon became a lasting success, “Iolanta”, a project that was very dear to the composer’s heart, was initially received with little enthusiasm, but is today considered one of his most groundbreaking compositions.
Thomas Mika works as a director and a stage and costume designer in ballet and opera. He has collaborated with companies including the Vienna State Ballet and the Stuttgart Ballet. Reginaldo Oliveira, head of the ballet division, has choreographed many grand narrative ballets at the Salzburg State Theatre, including “Anna Karenina” and “Lili, the Danish Girl”.
Selected performance
Performances
Sa 04/15/2023 07.00 pm Tickets
Sa 04/22/2023 07.00 pm Tickets
Fr 04/28/2023 07.30 pm Tickets
Su 04/30/2023 07.00 pm Tickets
Sa 05/06/2023 07.00 pm Tickets
We 05/10/2023 07.30 pm Tickets
Su 05/14/2023 03.00 pm Tickets
We 05/17/2023 07.30 pm Tickets
Fr 05/19/2023 07.30 pm Tickets
Th 05/25/2023 07.30 pm Tickets
Cast (on 05/19/2023)
Musical Director Leslie Suganandarajah
Director, Stage- und Costume-Design Thomas Mika
Choreography Reginaldo Oliveira
Dramaturgy
Thomas Rufin
Andreas Fladvad-Geier
Jolanthe
Tatev Baroyan
Vaudémont
Luke Sinclair
König René
Per Bach Nissen
Ibn-Hakia
Samuel Pantcheff
Robert
George Humphreys
Almerik
Željko Zaplatić
Bertrand
Philipp Schöllhorn
Helmut Bogengruber
Martha
Mona Akinola
Brigitta
Laura Incko
Laura
Bethany Yeaman
Marie
Larissa Mota
Valbona Bushkola
Dafne Barbosa
Nussknacker
Kt. Flavio Salamanka
Niccolò Masini
Ben van Beelen
Colombina / Zweispitz
Chigusa Fujiyoshi
Larissa Mota
Dafne Barbosa
Harlekin / Mäusekönig
Ben van Beelen
Niccolò Masini
Kt. Flavio Salamanka
Mère Gigogne
Sveva Gaudenzi
Mikino Karube
Larissa Mota
Koch / Maus
Lucas Leonardo
Handwerker / Maus
Oliver Hoddinott
Ballettlehrer / Maus
Cassiano Rodrigues
Röschen / Zweispitz
Annachiara Corti
Klärchen / Zweispitz
Gala Lara
Schaustellerinnen
Dafne Barbosa
Valbona Bushkola
Mikino Karube
Larissa Mota
Tambourhäschen / Zweispitz
Niccolò Masini
Ben van Beelen
Tiroler Schützen / Zweispitz
Paulo Muniz
Chor
Chor des Salzburger Landestheaters
Ballett
SIBA Ballettschule Salzburg
Orchester Mozarteumorchester Salzburg