While it's not technically a fairy tale, The Nutcracker is such an integral part of our country's idea of the Christmas season that I'm going to include it. The famous ballet is accompanied by Tchaikovsky's equally famous music, The Nutcracker Suite. I'm going to focus on the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Waltz of the Snowflakes, the two most 'wintery' scenes.
(Also, this is -obviously- ballet oriented, not in book form. So...most of this post will contain photos of dance depictions.)
Italian ballerina Antoinetta Dell'Era originated the role in 1892.
Considered by most to be the most sought-after role, the Sugar Plum Fairy does a solo accompanied by the celesta. (That's the plinky sounding metal piano. Learn more in this NPR clip.) Here's a fun dubstep remix if you're into that sort of thing. This is a fun Fantasia fairies movie clip.
(photo by Bruce Zinger)
Heather Ogden with the National Ballet of Canada. I'm digging that giant Faberge egg-looking thing. I'm sure that's what it's called.
The dance is almost always performed based on a set series of steps. Most choreographers and dancers tweak it a little bit, but the basic steps have persisted since the first known performances.
(photo from BobcatNorth)
She also does a duet, known as a pas de deux, with her cavalier- her male partner. This is the Royal Ballet's Nutcracker with Miyako Yoshida and her Prince Steven McRae. She is so accurate. Her timing is impeccable.
(photo by Tristam Kenton)
Sarah Lamb (Sugar Plum Fairy) and Thiago Soares in the Royal Ballet's 2011 Nutcracker. Doesn't she remind you of Cate Blanchett?
Here are three dancers rehearsing the role in the studio for the Royal Birmingham Ballet. They rotate between three ballerinas because they put on so many performances during the Christmas season.
(costume sketch by Robert Perdziola for Boston Ballet's Nutcracker)
(photo by Bill Cooper)
from aiobahn
I just bought a box of this stuff. Good gravy it's spicy. I'm such a sucker for pretty packaging.
Sugar Plum Fairy doll by the lovely Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist.
And now...The Waltz of the Snowflakes. Here is just the music.
At the end of the first act, the Nutcracker transforms into a handsome prince and takes Clara into a moonlit pine forest. They are surrounded by a flurry of dancing snowflakes.
Ooooh...the silver designs on the bodice and the tutu! And the stars are nice on the backdrop, too.
Oh, the snowflakes! I love the things they hold in their hands...the fan-shaped things with snowballs on the ends. Do those have a technical name? Anyone?
My favorite part is around 3:45 where the all rush on in a swirl. Isn't that wonderful?
The effect of the falling snow is fabulous, too, but I wonder how hard that is to dance on? And again at 4:50 where they rush into this tight cluster. (Holy crap...at 5:35..is that Macauley Caulkin?)
Also...the costumes in this version are fun. I like the pom poms dangling from their arms. And everyone has on the exact same blond wig--fun!
Beautiful set...the frozen forest at night with full moon. I found it on Tumblr....as always, if you know where it came from, I'm happy to credit it.
(Universal ballet's version)
The moon sled is great. It reminds me of Brandi's moons from She's Off Her Rocker.
Ooooh.....look! Put paper snowflakes on cut out paper ballerinas to make tutus!!! Here is the link for the ballerina silhouette, but the site's in Russian. Still, easy peasy----cut 'em out, stick snow flakes on them. Done.
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