Covent Garden Pioneer.

The chief attraction of this 1968 adaptation is Rudolf Nureyev, who had defected to the West in 1961. This is his adaptation of the work, and the dancing is very classical, the costumes sumptuous, and the orchestra sparkling. The production made ballerina Merle Park a star. At a Christmas party, Clara is presented with the elegant Nutcracker prince by her doting godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer. The Nutcracker is broken and Clara is devastated. That night,...

"Explore the dreamlike world of Rudolf Nureyev's interpretation of The Nutcracker. In his imaginative retelling of a 19th-century classic, the young Clara is propelled by dark forces from the realm of childhood into a radiant kingdom where she takes centre stage. With a striking psychoanalytic dimension to the traditional festive favourite, Clara's surreal journey becomes an allegory for the hopes and dreams of a young girl on the cusp of adulthood"--Container...

In order to revenge himself against Othello, Iago uses deceit to awaken in Othello a suspicion that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful to him. After Othello kills Desdemona he learns of Iago's treachery, and plunges a dagger into his own heart.