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The Samsun State Opera and Ballet, known locally as SAMDOB, has brought one of classical ballet’s most enduring works to the Black Sea city of Samsun, staging the premiere of "The Nutcracker" to a full house. The two-act production introduced local and international audiences to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless score in a setting designed to mark the festive season, a tradition shared by leading opera houses around the world.
The ballet is built around a story that begins at a New Year’s Eve party in Germany, where an 11-year-old girl receives a Nutcracker doll as a gift. As the night unfolds, the toy transforms into a prince, setting off a chain of fantastical events that have made the work a favorite for generations.
First choreographed by Marius Petipa and premiered in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, "The Nutcracker" has since become a seasonal fixture across Europe and beyond, especially in the weeks leading up to the New Year.
In the Samsun production, direction and choreography were handled by Mehmet Balkan, while stage direction was overseen by Lale Balkan. The SAMDOB Orchestra played under the baton of Patrick David Murray, guiding Tchaikovsky’s score with a focus on continuity between dance and music.
The premiere took place at the Ataturk Cultural Center Aydin Gun Stage, a major performance venue in the city.
The visual world of the ballet was shaped by a dedicated creative team. Set designs were prepared by Tayfun Cebi, costumes by Sevtac Demirer, and lighting by Oguz Murat Yilmaz, with video projections designed by Ahmet Seren.
The premiere was staged to a sold-out audience, reflecting strong interest from local arts followers. Following its initial success, The Nutcracker is scheduled to be performed again on Dec. 18, 20 and 25, giving audiences further opportunities to experience the production during the holiday period.
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