The Nutcracker | Teatro Duse

On Sunday 27 December 2026, the Teatro Duse in Bologna presents The Nutcracker: one of the best-loved Christmas tales comes to life with all the magic of classical ballet, performed by the International Classical Ballet Company.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King stands out within the classical repertoire for its narrative and visionary quality, capable of fascinating both children and adults. Inspired by the famous tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann and accompanied by the extraordinary music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the ballet unfolds in two acts that trace the transition from the real world to the realm of imagination.

The first part is set in the everyday atmosphere of a Christmas celebration: a middle-class home, games, family relationships and domestic scenes. Into this apparently reassuring setting enters the enigmatic figure of Drosselmeyer, whose gift of the Nutcracker opens the door to a mysterious and fantastical reality. The nocturnal transformation marks the passage into a dreamlike dimension, where proportions shift and objects come to life.

The second act takes the form of a grand choreographic suite: a sequence of dances, each with its own distinctive musical and stylistic character. Tchaikovsky creates a brilliant score enriched by unusual timbres such as the celesta, capable of evoking suspended and enchanted atmospheres. The famous dances of the Kingdom of Sweets become not only spectacular moments, but also a journey through fantasy, elegance and different cultural influences.

From an interpretative point of view, The Nutcracker can be read as a coming-of-age story: Clara’s journey represents the delicate transition from childhood to adolescence, where dream and reality merge into a transformative experience. The ballet invites audiences to rediscover a sense of wonder and amazement, reminding us how imagination can become a genuine creative force.