The Christmas performance of evergreen ballet The Nutcracker is a long-revered tradition in Budapest. Staged at the Opera House almost every year since 1950, it’s both a family favourite and a cultural highlight. This year, of course, audiences can't attend. But, as a festive surprise, the Opera House will be broadcasting a live rendition of The Nutcracker on its Facebook page and via Origo for everyone to watch at their leisure on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And it’s free!

Of all the shows the Opera House has had to cancel this year because of the pandemic, none is more poignant than The Nutcracker. As much part of Christmas as glittering trees and beigli cake, it has been performed every year since 1950, apart from right after the bloody Hungarian Uprising of 1956 and when the Opera House was undergoing renovation in 1981-82.

With so many families looking forward to seeing this beloved ballet again this December, the Opera House has decided to broadcast it for free on its Facebook page and the Origo news portal from 3pm on Christmas Eve to midnight on Christmas Day.

Choreographed by Canadian Wayne Eagling and Hungarian Tamás Solymosi, The Nutcracker forms part of OperaLive broadcasts which also feature Händel's Messiah, Puccini’s La bohème and Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss the Younger in the run-up to New Year’s Eve.

Further details can be found on the Opera House website.

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