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A mix of soap and sweetmeats: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King in Zurich

By Sarah Batschelet, 15 October 2017
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“Giulia Tonelli simply defined the refreshment and effervescence of the contemporary dance genre”
Reviewed at Opernhaus, Zurich on 14 October 2017
Programme
The Nutcracker (Christian Spuck)
Performers
Ballett Zürich
Paul Connelly, Conductor
Rufus Didwiszus, Set Designer
Buki Shiff, Costume Designer
Orchester der Oper Zürich
Giulia Tonelli, Dancer
Anna Khamzina, Dancer
Michelle Willems, Dancer
Viktorina Kapitonova, Dancer
Melissa Ligurgo, Dancer
William Moore, Dancer
Dominik White Slavkovský, Dancer
More Dance reviews
Spuck delivers compelling drama in Staatsballett's season opener
Vikki Jane Vile, 24th October
Newly appointed Director of Staatsballett Berlin, Christian Spuck makes his mark with this season opener, a world premiere of Bovary, a ballet based on Gustave Flaubert’s classic novel of 1856. 
****1
Glitter, fun, surprises: Norwegian National Ballet's Beauty sparkles
Deborah Weiss, 3rd June
Closer to Matthew Bourne than Marius Petipa, Christian Spuck's Sleeping Beauty is full of invention, captivating the audience in numerous, unexpected ways.
****1
Christian Spuck’s acclaimed Verdi Requiem wows the Adelaide Festival
Brian Angus, 9th March

An exciting festival event spectacularly highlights a great blend of European and Australian talent.

*****
Ballett Zürich's Monteverdi celebrates music in dance
Sarah Batschelet, 15th January

Blending the music of Monteverdi with lesser-known contemporaries, and even some pop, choreographer Christian Spuck takes leave of Zürich with a work that is as full of poetry as it is of emotional charge.

****1
Christian Spuck's loveable Leonce and Lena returns to Ballett Zürich
Sarah Batschelet, 8th December
Spuck’s Leonce and Lena is a feel-good treat that lifts the spirits measurably and makes a fine case for the modern genre.
****1
Christian Spuck's enigmatic Winterreise revived by Ballett Zürich
Graham Watts, 13th February
Christian Spuck gives choreographic identity to Hans Zender's composed interpretation of Franz Schubert's Winterreise. 
****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Anna KhamzinaBallett ZürichBallett Zürich Junior CompanyBuki ShiffChristian SpuckDominik White SlavkovskýGiulia TonelliMichelle WillemsOrchester der Oper ZürichPaul ConnellyPyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyRufus DidwiszusThe NutcrackerViktorina KapitonovaWilliam MooreYannis Pouspourikas
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Sarah Batschelet
Sarah Batschelet
Sarah Batschlelet, long based in Switzerland, took a degree in Art History from Smith College, Northampton, Massachuetts, and lives as a freelance writer and editor near Zurich.