Rio’s Theatro Municipal brings back The Nutcracker with Ballet, Women’s Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Felipe Prazeres.
A classic holiday ballet back on stage
The Ministry of Culture, the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the State Secretariat for Culture and Creative Economy, the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, the Friends of the Municipal Theatre Association and Petrobras, the theatre’s official sponsor, present [O Quebra-Nozes](pplx://action/translate), by P. I. Tchaikovsky.
The production brings together the Ballet Company, the Women’s Chorus and the Symphony Orchestra of the Theatro Municipal. Concept and adaptation are signed by Hélio Bejani and Jorge Texeira, based on Marius Petipa’s version. The music director is principal conductor Felipe Prazeres, with overall direction by Hélio Bejani.
The ballet returns after a hugely successful 2024 season, when all performances sold out. In this way, the theatre reinforces its position as a major stage for classical ballet in Brazil.
Season schedule and special school performance
Performances take place on , , , , , , , and , at [7 p.m.](pplx://action/translate). On , and , the curtain rises at [5 p.m.](pplx://action/translate).
On , at [2 p.m.](pplx://action/translate), there will be a special performance for the [Escola Arte Educação Petrobras](pplx://action/translate) educational project. Tickets will be available via Fever from [2 de dezembro](pplx://action/translate).
A timeless Christmas tradition
[O Quebra-Nozes](pplx://action/translate) premiered in in Russia and reached Western audiences in , at London’s [Sadler’s Wells Theatre](pplx://action/translate). Since then, it has become one of the most performed ballets worldwide and a symbol of the holiday season.
The Rio production highlights the strength of the narrative, the excellence of the dancers and the visual magic on stage. Thus, it reconnects audiences of all ages with Tchaikovsky’s score and with the classic ballet repertoire.
“It is with great joy that we respond to our audience’s request and bring the ballet [“O Quebra-Nozes”](pplx://action/translate) back to the stage of the Theatro Municipal. With the Official Sponsorship of Petrobras, we guarantee the magic of this Tchaikovsky masterpiece to close the 2025 season. We are grateful to everyone who filled the house throughout the year and we look forward to welcoming you for this closing as well,” says Clara Paulino, president of the Teatro Municipal Foundation.
“Our version was designed to enchant, providing moments of peace, joy and love, allowing the audience to drift away from everyday life and fully experience the emotion and magic that Christmas brings,” explains Hélio Bejani, director of the Ballet Company.
“[‘O Quebra-Nozes’](pplx://action/translate) carries a century-old tradition, yet every performance feels new. At the Theatro Municipal, this meeting of music, dance and imagination gains a special energy. It is a work that moves children, adults and everyone involved in the production,” adds Felipe Prazeres, principal conductor of the Symphony Orchestra.
Story follows Clara, Claus and a magical Christmas
The plot is set in [Nuremberg](pplx://action/translate), Germany, at the end of the 19th century, and follows Drosselmeyer, a mysterious clock and toy maker. After helping rid the royal palace of rats, he sees his nephew cursed by the Rat King and turned into a nutcracker doll.
The spell can only be broken when the [Quebra-Nozes](pplx://action/translate) defeats the Rat King in battle. Meanwhile, the story introduces Clara, her siblings and the boys from a small orphanage who are invited to the family’s Christmas celebration.
Over two acts, the audience visits the orphanage, the grand party at the Stahlbaum house, the battle between giant rats and toy soldiers and the journey to the Kingdom of Snow. Then, Clara and Claus travel to the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince host a dazzling series of dances.
The adventure ends with Clara and Claus returning home after an unforgettable Christmas night. Therefore, the ballet reinforces messages of generosity, friendship and imagination.
Felipe Prazeres: a leading voice on the podium
Widely regarded as one of the leading conductors of his generation, Felipe Prazeres is principal conductor of the Theatro Municipal Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Petrobras Symphony Orchestra. From to , he served as assistant conductor to Isaac Karabtchevsky.
He is a co-founder of the Academia Juvenil, a social and educational program offering free training to young musicians aged to . Since at the Theatro Municipal, he has led and directed productions of [Il Barbiere di Siviglia](pplx://action/translate), [Carmen](pplx://action/translate), [L’Elisir d’Amore](pplx://action/translate) and [Le Villi](pplx://action/translate), as well as recent season-opening concerts.
As artistic director and founder of the Johann Sebastian Rio chamber orchestra, he conducts programs spanning all periods, with a special focus on Baroque and Brazilian music. In , he recorded [Sambach](pplx://action/translate) with violinist Linus Roth and performed at Germany’s [Rheingau Musik Festival](pplx://action/translate), later touring Europe in and .
In October, he conducted the concert [Bizet e seus Contemporâneos](pplx://action/translate) with the Paris Opera and the Theatro Municipal Symphony Orchestra. In December, he returns to the podium for [O Quebra-Nozes](pplx://action/translate), alongside the Ballet Company and Chorus.
Main cast and performance dates
Main cast
Sugar Plum Fairy – Juliana Valadão / Márcia Jaqueline / Manuela Roçado / Marcela Borges / Tabata Salles
Prince – Maynard Miranda / Cícero Gomes / Alyson Trindade / Rodrigo Hermesmeyer / Michael Willian
Mr. Drosselmeyer – Edifranc Alves / Romilton Santana / Rodolfo Saraiva
Clara – Diovana Piredda / Katarina Santos / Pietra Rêgo
Snow Queen – Isa Mattos / Manuela Roçado / Marcela Borges / Tabata Salles
Snow King – Alyson Trindade / Owdrin Kaew / Michael Willian / Rodrigo Hermesmeyer
Dates – principal cast
[12/12 – Friday – Marcela Borges and Alyson Trindade (dress rehearsal)](pplx://action/translate)
[13/12 – Saturday – 1st performance – Márcia Jaqueline and Rodrigo Hermesmeyer](pplx://action/translate)
[14/12 – Sunday – 2nd performance – Márcia Jaqueline and Rodrigo Hermesmeyer](pplx://action/translate)
[16/12 – Tuesday – 3rd performance – School Project – Tabata Salles and Michael Willian](pplx://action/translate)
[17/12 – Wednesday – 4th performance – Márcia Jaqueline and Rodrigo Hermesmeyer](pplx://action/translate)
[18/12 – Thursday – 5th performance – Marcela Borges and Alyson Trindade](pplx://action/translate)
[19/12 – Friday – 6th performance – Manuela Roçado and Rodrigo Hermesmeyer](pplx://action/translate)
[20/12 – Saturday – 7th performance – Marcela Borges and Alyson Trindade](pplx://action/translate)
[21/12 – Sunday – 8th performance – Manuela Roçado and Rodrigo Hermesmeyer](pplx://action/translate)
[23/12 – Tuesday – 9th performance – Manuela Roçado and Rodrigo Hermesmeyer](pplx://action/translate)
[26/12 – Friday – 10th performance – Juliana Valadão and Cícero Gomes](pplx://action/translate)
[27/12 – Saturday – 11th performance – Juliana Valadão and Cícero Gomes](pplx://action/translate)
[28/12 – Sunday – 12th performance – Juliana Valadão and Cícero Gomes](pplx://action/translate)
