Contemporary Ballet Adaptation of The Nutcracker Draws High Interest at AKM
Prepared in partnership with Novaya Opera and Ballet Moscow, the contemporary ballet adaptation won great acclaim from art lovers in its first meeting in Turkey.
Staged by Novaya Opera / Ballet Moscow, the contemporary ballet production titled The Nutcracker: This Is Not a Fairy Tale met with art lovers at AKM for its premiere in Turkey.
First Performance in Turkey
Following its premiere in Moscow in February 2026, the work, meeting audiences in Turkey for the first time, brings Tchaikovsky's music together with an original story.
Staged by Novaya Opera / Ballet Moscow, this special production transcends the boundaries of the classical Nutcracker narrative, offering the audience a different experience.
Striking Themes and Plot
Unlike the classical fairy tale narrative, the production establishes a deep atmosphere built around the themes of war, loss, memory, and confronting the past.
Set in the shadow of World War I, the work focuses on young soldier Nathaniel's struggle to cope with the losses he has experienced.
Choreography and Music
The choreography of the work is undertaken by Pavel Glukhov, who was deemed worthy of the Golden Mask Award in 2022, reinterpreting the classical piece.
Tchaikovsky's music for The Nutcracker is performed live without any cuts or tempo changes.
High Interest from Art Lovers
Long queues formed in front of AKM prior to the first performance in Istanbul, and the Türk Telekom Opera Hall was completely filled.
Following the performance, the artists received a standing ovation for minutes, and the audience's enthusiasm continued for a long time.