The Christmas Ballet Season at St David’s Hall this year is dominated by one composer; the master of the ballet score, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

St David’s Hall - The National Concert Hall of Wales, is pleased to welcome the full Company and Orchestra of the Russian National Ballet and the Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia to the capitol this festive season. The companies will be performing three of Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballets to enchant and entertain audiences of all ages at this magical time of year.

Perhaps the most famous ballet of them all and certainly the most synonymous with Christmas, has to be The Nutcracker which kicks off the season on the 19th of December, closing on Christmas Eve 24th December.

‘The most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath. When midnight strikes we are swept away to a fairytale world where nothing is quite as it seems, toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse King and his army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins’

What the critics say – ‘stunning costumes, impressive choreography has you believe fairytales can come true’ (Blackpool Gazette 2009)

Like The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty is another classic story for families at Christmas and runs from 27th December to 31st December.

‘Every child’s favourite fairy tale, this is the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score. Stunning choreography, sumptuous costumes and wonderful sets form the fantasy world in which Lilac Fairy struggles against the evil Carabosse’

What the critics say – ‘The Russian State Ballet of Siberia produces its dancers through its own school, the incredible control on pointe of all the girls and the strong jumps and partnering of the men is testament to that. An excellent company’ (Dancing Review 2012)

The final ballet in this season’s repertoire running from 3rd to 5th January at St David’s Hall is the one with the most famous score of them all. Performed time and again and re-produced in more genres than just about any other classic story, Swan Lake brings romance and tragedy to the Cardiff stage in equal measure this Christmas.

‘The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moonlit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of the ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges’

A perfect pre-Christmas treat and introduction to ballet for children - The Nutcracker from 19th to 24th December, as well as Sleeping Beauty from 27th – 31st December and Swan Lake after Christmas 3rd – 5th January, offers tickets at half price for all children under the age of 16. Prices for adults start from just £14.50 with tickets available online at www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk or at the box office on 029 208708444.