At its core, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is about the magic of the Christmas season, the beauty of transformation, and the power of imagination. We see transformation all around us: as parents, we see the transformation of our children, and as the weather turns colder, we see the transformation of the glorious mountains into snow capped peaks. However, this year, I hope that the transformation we see is an attitude of togetherness that leads to a blossoming of support for cultural experiences shared with friends and family.  

In 2020, we sorely missed our beloved Nutcracker production because it is such a moving experience for everyone involved. This year, thanks to the courage and ingenuity of so many people, we once again get to see the twinkling eyes of children whose spirits are filled with wonder. Parents will have moving experiences with their children, and the feelings of joy and satisfaction will be visible once again in the faces of the artists who create the magic.

We are thrilled to be continuing our long-standing collaboration with the Boulder Ballet, who inspires such wonder during the holiday season. Furthermore, it has been a joy to work with Boulder Ballet's new Artistic Director, Lance Hardin. Amazingly, during these challenging times, he has found a way to put his fingerprint on these performances, including the addition of Tchaikovsky's rarely performed English Gigue in the Land of the Sweets.

Thank you for coming to our performance of The Nutcracker — your presence makes today's performance very special to everyone involved. We hope this performance adds to the joy and wonder of your holiday season!

Elliot Moore, Music Director,
Longmont Symphony Orchestra