Nutcracker Suite Collection

14013

***New for 2008***

Merck Family’s Old World Christmas

Burgundy fabric covered keepsake box. Set includes:

Clara 3 3/4"; Sugar Plum Fairy 4 3/4"; Ballet Shoes 3"; Nutcracker Prince 4 /12"; Mouse 5"; Herr Drosselmeier 5"

Mouth blown, hand painted glass ornaments.

"The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" play was created by the German writer E. T. A. Hoffman in 1816. A magical story about a young girl, Marie, who was given a nutcracker doll from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeier. The play was adapted in 1845 by French novelist Alexandre Dumas, who changed the play to be more suitable for children. At this point, Marie's name was changed to Clara. In 1891, this version was chosen by the senior ballet master of the Russian Imperial Ballet, who then commissioned Piotr Hyich Tchaikovsky to compose a score for the nutcracker production. The ballet opened in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 17, 1892. "The Nutcracker," a holiday fairy tale about a girl named Clara and her nutcracker doll. The "Nutcracker" ballet is probably the world's most favorite ballet, seen by millions, especially during the holiday season.