The Nutcracker

Any new release of Tchaikovsky’s perennial Christmas ballet faces stiff competition from productions by the world’s most famous companies that feature renowned dancers as well as sumptuous sets and costumes. Valery Kovtun’s 2018 staging with the Ballet Company of the National Opera of Ukraine in Odessa is a far less spectacular affair—a perfectly decent provincial account, but hardly the equal of others available. The production follows the traditional two-act St. Petersburg version of 1892, with sets and costumes designed by Mariia Levytska that are attractive without being particularly opulent. The company orchestra delivers a competent if unexceptional reading of the score under the baton of Oleksiy Baklan, while the chief soloists—Iuliia Moskalenko as Clara and Mykyta Sukhorukov as the Nutcracker Prince—are an engaging pair, who perform their important pas de deux effectively. Other company dancers also do well in the smaller roles, and the string of show-stoppers at the close make suitable impact. While this Nutcracker is unlikely to be anyone’s first choice, it is an agreeable mounting that would appeal to admirers of the Odessa company. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, this is a strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)