Category Archives: Christmas

When Celebrating Christmas Was Illegal

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Brad

When Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans came to power in England in 1647, the celebration of Christmas and singing carols was stopped. However, the carols survived as people still sang them in secret. Carols remained mainly unsung until Victorian times, … Continue reading →

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Are All Christmas Carols Carols?

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Brad

The word carol comes from the old French word carole, a circle dance accompanied by singers. Carols were very popular as dance songs during the 12 through 14th centuries, after which their use expanded as songs sung during festivals.  Because they are … Continue reading →

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Christmas Carols on the Ballet Stage

Posted on December 9, 2017 by Brad

  The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (op. 71). The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” It was given its première … Continue reading →

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