Grand Kyiv Ballet Classical Concert Listings

Performance Run Time: Approximately 2 hours, including intermission. GLOWING COSTUMES AND A UKRAINIAN HOPAK The Nutcracker: Symphony of Lights is a magical new interpretation of the beloved holiday classic, where the timeless world of ballet meets cutting-edge stage technology. Stunning illuminated costumes, created exclusively for the production, and spectacular lighting effects transform the adventures of Clara and the Nutcracker into an enchanting world of wonder. For Grand Kyiv Ballet, this production carries special meaning. Composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky had Ukrainian roots — he was the great-grandson of Cossack Fedir Chaika from the Poltava region. From the age of 24, he spent months in Ukraine nearly every year, where he wrote more than thirty works, and Ukrainian stories and folk melodies left a lasting mark on his music. Since 2022, Grand Kyiv Ballet’s Nutcracker has replaced the Russian dance in Act II and instead featured a Ukrainian hopak. Still, the production remains faithful to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and the beauty of classical choreography, creating an unforgettable holiday experience for audiences of all ages.