Monday, January 7, 2008

Nutcracker: Structure

Act One

Tableau I
No.1 Scene of decorating and lighting the Christmas tree
No.2 March
No.3 Little Gallop [of the children] and entry of the parents
No.4 Scene dansante [Drosselmeyer's arrival and distribution of presents]
No.5 Scene and dance of the Grandfather
No.6 Scene [Departure of the guests -- DAYTIME]
No.7 Scene [the battle]
Tableau II
No.8 Scene [a pine forest in winter]
No.9 Waltz of the Snowflakes

Act Two

Tableau III
No.10 Scene [Introduction]
No.11 Scene [Arrival of Clara and the Prince]
No.12 Divertissement
a. Chocolate (Spanish dance)
b. Coffee (Arabian dance)
c. Tea (Chinese dance)
d. Trepak (Russian Dance)
e. Dance of the Mirlitons [also known as "Dance of the Reed-Flutes," "Dance of the Shepherdesses," and "Marzipan"]
f. Mother Ginger and the clowns [or "Mother Ginger and her children"]
No.13 Waltz of the Flowers [featuring the "Dew Drops" in Balanchine's production]
No.14 Pas de Deux: Adagio (Sugar-Plum Fairy and a cavalier)
Variation I (for the male dancer) [Tarantella]
Variation II (for the female dancer) [Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy]
Coda
No.15 Final Waltz and Apotheosis
Note: multiple other versions exist.