Nutcracker Names

Subject: Nutcracker Names
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 04:52 PM

Can anyone enlighten me as to why I sometimes see the child in "The Nutcracker" named "Marie" and other times named "Clara?" Happy Holidays, one and all.

Subject: RE: Nutcracker Names
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 05:41 PM

I think it depends on which version you read. I always knew it as Clara, from the ballet story. I have seen it as a storybook with Marie as the girls' name, but I still think of her as Clara. Marie does tend to be more unilateral than Clara, it translates into almost every language.

LTS

Subject: RE: Nutcracker Names
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 09:09 PM

Thanks, Liz. A friend just confirmed what you said. In Hoffman's book, the heroine was named Marie. When Petipa choreographed the ballet, it was based on the revised story by Alexander Dumas, and the name changed to Clara. Happy Holiday. Thanks for answering.