Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Sac Ballet Welcomes Return Of Live Music To "The Nutcracker"

  •  Jeff Hudson 
Friday, December 13, 2013 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
  

Most ballet companies use recorded music during rehearsals, and the Sacramento Ballet is no exception. Co-artistic director Carrine Binda works with her dancers as music from a compact disc player fills the Ballet's studio.

While CD’s are fine for rehearsing, there’s nothing like having live music at performances.  But that’s been too expensive in the wake of the recent recession.

Still, dancer Christopher Nachtrab says there is a small upside to using recorded music…

 “It’s very easy for the dancers to get into a groove, because they understand exactly how the tempis are going to be every time,” says Nachtrab.

"But the thrill of performing live is that anything can happen.”

Indeed, when it’s live, the tempo can be faster, or slower.

And that’s why Nachtrab and others in the company look forward to the shows featuring an orchestra.

“It keeps you on your toes. It’s exciting,” says Lauren Breen.  She'll be dancing on stage when conductor Henrik Jul Hansen leads the orchestra through Tchaikovsky’s famous score.  Hansen will sometimes vary the pace to favor the way a particular dancer handles a solo. It’s more interactive and more stimulating for the dancers. 

Breen says it’s also a thrill for the hundreds of children who participate in Nutcracker performances.

“The first time the little Arabian children, who are like eight or nine, had a rehearsal, one of them ran up to me at the end of the rehearsal, and said ‘Do I really get to be on stage with real professionals?’ And I said ‘Yes, you do!’ And she said ‘This is going to be awesome!’ And she ran outside to tell her mom, she was so excited.”

Chris Nachtrab says exposing kids to ballet with live music provides an added dimension.

“And by having the live orchestra there, by creating an entire experience for a child that’s never seen the ballet to walk in and immediately hear the strings of the orchestra tuning up, and have to the conductor walk out, and strike the first chord of the overture, it creates this entire educational process, that we are teaching the community and educating them how to be an artistic and cultural community.”

A live orchestra adds thousands of dollars to the cost of a performance. But choreographer Ron Cunningham hopes that this year’s Nutcracker – with some performances featuring recorded music at a lower ticket price, and others providing the orchestra at more of a premium price, will give people the chance to choose – maybe even try both.

“And perhaps over the years we can add a few more, and a few more, and eventually restore live music for The Nutcracker entirely,” says Cunningham.

The Sacramento Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" through December 23rd at the Sacramento Community Center Theatre. 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Insight: Political Junkie Comes to California / Relief for Rim Fire Ranchers / "Duck, Duck, Goose" / "The Nutcracker"

    Monday, November 25, 2013
    Ken Rudin talks filibuster reform and puts California politics in context with the national scene. We follow up on a benefit for ranchers affected by the Rim Fire. Hank Shaw talks about his latest cookbook and a preview of Sac Ballet's holiday show.

Jeff Hudson

Contributing Arts Reporter and Theatre Critic

Jeff Hudson has been contributing arts-related stories to Capital Public Radio since 1995, with an emphasis on theater and classical music. He attends over 100 performances annually, ranging from modern musicals to medieval masses.   Read Full Bio 

 Email Jeff Hudson

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

AP Photo/Eric Risberg

Interview: Infectious outbreaks may lead to discrimination. Here’s why we should avoid that.

June 27, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

June 29, 2022

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo

What happens if Californians pass two sports betting initiatives?

June 25, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: Pfizer says tweaked vaccine offers better protection against omicron

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Sacramento’s homeless population spikes 67% to nearly 9,300 since 2019

California coronavirus updates: Court revives block of federal vaccination mandate

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: Pfizer says tweaked vaccine offers better protection against omicron

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Sacramento’s homeless population spikes 67% to nearly 9,300 since 2019

California coronavirus updates: Court revives block of federal vaccination mandate

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.