Valentin Federov:The artist who makes the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER puppets, animals and sets come alive with childlike whimsy!
While Ballet Master Vladimir Troschenko tours the Riviera, Spain and Portugal with his acclaimed Swan Lake, Moscow Ballet Scenic Designer Valentin Fedorov works on the imaginative sets and puppetry that come to life in the Great Russian Nutcracker. Exclusive to Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker is the very first scene, set to the music of the overture, in which Magician/Uncle Drosselmeyer enchants children with a puppet show that he magically brings to life.
Artist Federov created the whimsical puppet theatre and puppets as well as the iconic Moscow skyline behind the dancers. Federov is also the artist behind Masha’s delightful bedroom with it’s larger-than-life toys and where the Mice Army battle and injure her beloved Prince Nutcracker. Federov also created the fanciful world of Peace and Harmony, an homage to Henri Matisse’ wonderfully childlike and colorful jungle scenes.
Federov is also the creator of the 6 to 8 foot tall puppets in Act II’s Land of Peace and Harmony which represent animals from each couples’ region. The Russian dancers are accompanied by a Bear, the Spainards by a Bull, Chinese have their red and yellow Dragon, the French Unicorns and the Arabians are given two animals – a lion and an elephant. The animals are friendly and dance along with their human counterparts.
The talented Federov hails from the small. central Russian republic Chuvash which has a long history of puppet making. In fact, he was given the title “Honored Artist of Chuvashia.” At the Moscow Artistic Academic Theatre, Fedorov studied under the legendary designer Valery Leventhal, of Bolshoi Ballet fame, and he has been the art director at the Chuvashia State Theatre of Opera and Ballet since 1988. There he designed more than 40 productions for opera and ballet to critical acclaim. Moscow Ballet is proud to add Federov’s charming sets and puppets to the whimsical and imaginative storytelling that sets Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker apart from others.
For more picture's of the drops & puppets, go to our facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/nutcracker.moscowballet?v=photos#!/album.php?aid=15357&id=117148474970862
Tickets are now on sale for this family Holiday tradition and start at $27.50. Buy tickets online at www.nutcracker.com or call Ticketmaster 800.745.3000 and ask for a performance near you!
Marius Petipa- The Father of Russian Ballet
July 14th, 2010 was the 100th anniversary of the passing of Marius Petipa, known as the Father of Russian Ballet. Petipa is nearly unanimously cited to be the most influential ballet master and choreographer that has ever lived. He is credited, along with Lev Ivanov, as the original choreographer for the traditional holiday ballet we all know and love, The Nutcracker.
In recognition of Petipa’s vast contributions to Russian ballet and culture, Moscow Ballet is selecting Russian artists who represent the contemporary sensibilities in Russian visual art, to create limited edition paintings. These new works will be inspired by three of Petipa’s artistically acclaimed story ballets: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty- all of which Moscow Ballet performs on its annual tours of North America.
These limited-edition prints are available when purchasing the
“Platinum Ticket Package.” For more information on Marius Petipa and the artist’s creating these paintings, visit our
Blog.
Tickets are now on sale for Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker! To purchase tickets by phone, call your local box office or Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Buy tickets online at
Moscow Ballet or at
Ticketmaster. Tickets start at $27.50.
