Presented from December 17 to January 1, the Nutcracker ballet closed the year at the Opéra de Nice in front of a large audience. The production choreographed by Benjamin Millepied attracted thousands of spectators during the holiday season.
From December 17 to January 1, the Opéra de Nice presented The Nutcracker in a new production. The ballet was a success among the local audience and visitors during the holidays. The series included 19 performances, all of which were sold out. This series marks an unprecedented achievement in the institution’s history.
Nearly 19,000 spectators attended the performances, with a capacity rate of 97%. These figures confirm the public’s attachment to this masterpiece of the repertoire. The year-end period strengthened this dynamic. The ballet has found its place in the local cultural calendar.
The version presented is based on the choreography of Benjamin Millepied. The sets and costumes were designed by Paul Cox. The musical direction was overseen by Daniel Gil. The Nice Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied the dancers, and the Women’s Choir of the Opéra de Nice also participated in the production. The ensemble captivated an intergenerational audience.
This series is part of the programming of the Opéra de Nice. The ballet is directed by Pontus Lidberg. The production stands out as one of the highlights of the season. The observed audience turnout confirms the institution’s dynamism and the enthusiasm for its ballet.
A production set to travel
For the first time, The Nutcracker tour extends beyond Nice. The performances continue from January 7 to 11 at the Seine Musicale in Paris. The ballet will then move to the Mohammed V Theater in Rabat, Morocco, with dates scheduled for January 30, January 31, and February 1. The Ballet of the Opéra de Nice is participating in this entire tour.
Bertrand Rossi, General Director of the Opéra de Nice, emphasizes the scope of this series: “These historic numbers reward the dedication and talent of all the artistic, technical, and administrative teams. This exceptional series allowed an ever-wider audience to discover or rediscover an iconic work under ideal conditions.”
Twenty years ago, Benjamin Millepied created his first major ballet, The Nutcracker, for the Ballet of the Grand Théâtre de Genève. This version blended academic vocabulary with imaginative freedom, drawing from his years as a dancer with the New York City Ballet. The choreographer returns to this story with a distinct language and a new sense of invention.
For this production, collaboration with Paul Cox plays a central role. The sets and costumes bring a magical fantasy. The ensemble remains imbued with childhood. The story remains: on Christmas Eve, Clara falls asleep among her toys. The dream features a nutcracker transforming into a prince.
The choreography emphasizes musicality and rhythm. The movement transcends the flow of the score. The music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is performed by the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra. This reinterpretation offers a timeless ballet, imagined for a new generation.
The artistic cast includes the Ballet of the Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur, theNice Philharmonic Orchestra and the Choir of the Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur. The production is a co-production between the Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur and The Grace Company. The lighting is designed by Lucy Carter. Bruno Roy serves as assistant choreographer, and Daniel Gil conducts the music.
Under the direction of Pontus Lidberg since December 2024, the Ballet of the Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur opens a new chapter. The ensemble comprises 26 dancers. The company bases its foundation on the great classical repertoire while asserting a contemporary identity. This approach relies on creation and the dialogue between styles. The objective aims at preserving technical excellence and welcoming major and emerging choreographic voices.
With The Nutcracker, the Opéra de Nice concludes the year with a series marked by attendance and the circulation of works. The upcoming tour extends this dynamic beyond the Nice territory.
