Cultural Scene: Holiday Spirit On Theatre and Concert Stages
Holiday spirit in Zagreb is usually accompanied by holiday cultural programme so pieces that introduce us into what is for many the most wonderful time of the year will come alive on stages this year once again.
Recognisable holiday spirit, which Zagreb is widely famous for, does not end in streets and stores but is transferred to the repertoires of theatres and concert halls in Zagreb. An integral part of the Advent atmosphere at the Croatian National Theatre traditionally is the ballet The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, which will be performed around 15 times.
During this season, the beloved Nutcracker will become alive in a more ambitious version, created by the renowned Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, based on the choreography made by Marius Petipa and Lav Ivanov. Nureyev set up his Nutcracker in 1967 at the Royal Swedish Ballet and it was performed at the Royal Ballet in London, Ballet of La Scala Milan, Ballet of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Weiner Staatoper, the Paris Opera Ballet and other stages of the world. Year after year, audience in Zagreb is always in the market for extra tickets for The Nutcracker. For those who did not manage to purchase them, the fact that on 23 December the ballet will be broadcast on the plateau in front of the theatre is excellent news.
From the rich programme of the Croatian National Theatre, we select a comic opera The Bat by Johann Strauss II which was brought back to the theatre last year. A new era of the national theatre is marked by a premiere of a Broadway hit, musical Cabaret, which introduces the new stage CNT2 to the cultural life of the city.
On 13 and 14 December the Christmas fairy tale The Nutcracker will be told by a famous ballet troupe Ukrainian Classical Ballet at the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall. Audience in Zagreb is expecting the event with great excitement.
The Zagreb Philharmonic dedicated a special show to the youngest spectators entitled Christmas with the Winterdreads. It is and interesting story intertwined with traditional Christmas songs and a strong message about the true value of Christmas. Both children and adults can see it on stage of the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall.
The interactive show Magical Christmas Clock is intended for children aged 3 to 12 and it answers an important question: can you stop time for a while and by doing so save Christmas? The announcement that Santa Clause himself, with presents, could join children on this occasion spurs optimism.
An appealing holiday programme has also been announced at the Arena Zagreb Hall. On 23 December there is a Strauss Christmas Gala concert to mark the 200th anniversary of birth of Johann Strauss II. The musicians participating are Strauss Capelle Vienna and Vienna State Ballet as well as prominent Viennese and Zagreb opera singers.
However, this is not a comprehensive list. There are many other interesting cultural events for all generations that complete the unique holiday atmosphere in Zagreb.