Every year around the time of Christmas ballet theatres all over the world perform "The Nutcracker Suite" by Peter Illych Tchaikovsky. The "dance of the Sugar Plum Faries" is as well known as the most popular Christmas carols. But the Russian composer wrote another Christmas tale little known by all but the most avid opera and Tchaikovsky fans. "Cherevichki" - "The Tsarina's Slippers" - is a Faustian type tale of a blacksmith who makes a deal with the devil to bring his beloved the item of her desires - the Tsarina's slippers.
Beginning November 20 the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden will perform the Christmas show as the royal opera and ballat companies join forces to perform the work.
"The Tsarina's Slippers" runs from November 20 to December 8.