The Russia St. Petersburg Classical Ballet brings two of the most iconic ballet works ever written — Swan Lake and The Nutcracker — as part of its 2026 China tour. Performed by a company deeply rooted in the Russian classical ballet tradition, this program showcases centuries-old masterpieces that continue to define the art form.

Presented by the Russia St. Petersburg Classical Ballet, this program features full productions of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, two cornerstones of classical ballet. Swan Lake, first premiered in Moscow in 1877, tells a dramatic story of love, betrayal, and the struggle between good and evil, set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s groundbreaking score. Over more than a century, it has become synonymous with ballet itself.

The Nutcracker is another Tchaikovsky classic, celebrated for its fairy-tale atmosphere and richly expressive music. Known for its imaginative orchestration and memorable melodies — including the famous Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy — the work blends childlike fantasy with sophisticated musical storytelling. Both ballets are presented in versions rooted in established Russian staging traditions.

Performers

• Russia St. Petersburg Classical Ballet

The company was founded in 1992 in St. Petersburg, widely regarded as the cradle of Russian ballet. Its artistic leadership and dancers are closely connected to the Vaganova Ballet School and the Mariinsky Theatre, with training and artistic guidance rooted in these institutions.

Key figures include:

Anatoly Nikiforov (Founder): A graduate of the Vaganova Ballet School and former Mariinsky Ballet principal dancer.

Irina Safronova (Artistic Director): Also a Vaganova graduate and former Mariinsky principal dancer, responsible for staging and adaptations of major classical works.

Event Program

Ballet Swan Lake

Ballet The Nutcracker

Why people should go see this show

This program offers a chance to experience two of the most enduring works in ballet history, performed by a company dedicated to preserving Russian classical ballet traditions. With refined staging, classical choreography, and music by Tchaikovsky, it’s an opportunity to see foundational ballet repertoire presented by a troupe closely tied to its historical roots.