The Nutcracker premieres at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre

Background. Following the success of The Sleeping Beauty, director Ivan Vsevolozhsky commissioned Tchaikovsky to compose a double-bill program featuring both an opera and a ballet. The Nutcracker was conceived as a ballet-féerie set on Christmas Eve. The score is noted for its use of the celesta, an instrument Tchaikovsky had previously employed in The Voyevoda.

Choreography. Marius Petipa began work on the choreography in August 1892 but was removed from its completion due to illness. His assistant, Lev Ivanov, was brought in to finish the work. Historically, Ivanov is credited with choreographing the entirety of the premiere due to Petipa's ill health, though Petipa is also credited for the joint choreography.

Premiere. The first performance was held as a double premiere together with Tchaikovsky's last opera, Iolanta, on 18 December 1892 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg. The Mariinsky Theatre was the preeminent music theatre of late 19th-century Russia, hosting many stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky.

Suite Performance. Before the ballet's premiere, Tchaikovsky formed The Nutcracker Suite from eight numbers in the ballet. This suite was intended for concert performance and was first performed under the composer's direction on 19 March 1892 at an assembly of the Saint Petersburg branch of the Musical Society.