About "The Nutcracker" part 1 On 6 December 1892, the premiere of new Christmas program was shown at the Mariinsky Theatre (St. Petersburg). For the first round, the opera "Iolanta" was given, for the second "The Nutcracker" play. The initial concept was to create a united fairy show of opera and ballet. To audience's and critic's recollections the show was a sock. It was all bright and festive. According to Tchaikovsky even too much. Hereafter it was decided not to show both plays on the same day because each of them was independent in itself. In that evening opera "Iolanta" was a bit better appreciated than "The Nutcracker". Nevertheless, five ballet pieces and especially Waltz of the Snowflakes were given encores.