The Nutcracker and I
Alexandra Dariescu reimagines Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker through piano, dance and digital animation, weaving her story with Clara’s at Grand Auditorium – Gulbenkian.
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In this original approach to the classic ballet The Nutcracker, pianist Alexandra Dariescu intertwines her personal story with that of Clara, the ballet’s young protagonist, recounting her journey from childhood to becoming a concert pianist. On stage, while performing excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s work, Dariescu is joined by dancer Désirée Ballantyne and an exuberant digital animation design. ‘Dariescu created a delightful multisensory world through her pianistic prowess,’ wrote Classical Source, giving fresh vitality to a creation that promises to continue captivating new generations. Photo © Nigel Norrington Sponsor Gulbenkian Music