The Nutcracker: the facts behind the magic

Nutcrackers at the Sachsenhaus am Gendarmenmarkt

By Alexandra Desvignes, 14 December 2018

Loading, please wait...

“starting the new year on the back of a long Nutcracker run is balletic survival of the fittest!”

Lawrence Dunn, 17th December

From Buxtehude, Bach and Handel, to contemporary composer Liza Lim, we take a tour of the myriad forms of composers’ handwriting and calligraphy – and how music makes itself on the page.

BRB’s Sofia Liñares on Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker

Bachtrack, 17th November

Birmingham Royal Ballet soloist Sofia Liñares talks about the joys and fears of dancing multiple roles and performances of Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker.

The art of memory: classical music for mourning

Danny Riley, 28th October

From fulfilling funerary functions, to eulogising friends and fellow artists, or lamenting the waste of war: here are some of the finest examples of music written in mourning.

Fresh air and Swiss classics: Olga Scheps returns to Andermatt

Elodie Olson-Coons, 23rd September

The German pianist makes a return to Switzerland to tour Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto with conductor Lena-Lisa Wüstendörfer, in a William Tell-inspired programme that delves into the heart of Swissness.

Ralph Fiennes to direct new staging of Eugene Onegin in Paris

Bachtrack, 2nd April

A longtime connoisseur of Pushkin’s novel, Fiennes’ production will hit the boards at Palais Garnier in February 2026.

Years of pilgrimage: Byron’s musical afterlives

Roy Westbrook, 22nd January

Lord Byron’s influence on musicians was immense – with Rossini, Verdi, Berlioz, Liszt, Tchaikovsky and Schoenberg among the many composers to create works inspired by his writings.

Alexandra Desvignes

Alexandra was previously Bachtrack's Dance Editor. She trained as a professional dancer both in Paris and London and has performed for various ballet, opera, commercial and film productions, as well as independent projects. She studied Literature and Art History at the Open University. previously worked as Bachtrack's press coordinator, and continues to write for Bachtrack, in London and in Paris. She has previously contributed to English National Ballet's blog.