Event
Naples Ballet presents The Nutcracker
with the Naples Philharmonic
Naples Ballet
Christophe Maraval, artistic director
Naples Philharmonic
Manuel López-Gómez, conductor
Tchaikovsky — The Nutcracker, Op. 71
Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable music comes to life in this enchanting production of The Nutcracker, presented by Naples Ballet with student dancers and guest professional soloists with the score performed live by the Naples Philharmonic. A beloved holiday tradition, this brilliant ballet features an international cast, opulent costumes and stunning sets — delighting audiences of all ages with its magic and wonder.
Based on Alexandre Dumas’ Tale of the Nutcracker, adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, the story follows young Clara on a magical Christmas Eve journey through the Kingdom of Sweets. Along the way, she encounters life-size wind up dolls, a battle with mice, and a brave nutcracker brought to life in a celebration of imagination, joy and the spirit of the season.
Naples Ballet
Naples Ballet
Naples Ballet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to setting new standards for artistic excellence, providing the art of ballet as a component of education and promoting cultural enrichment and awareness of the art of dance within the Naples community.
The company aims to provide dancers of all ages with performance opportunities that meet expert standards of artistic development, to instill professional values and qualities through art education and to offer free professional dance instruction through scholarship funding while serving as a training ground for local dancers possibly seeking professional careers in dance or related fields.
Naples Philharmonic
Naples Philharmonic
Founded in 1982, the Naples Philharmonic normally performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts from September through June each year.
Meet the Musicians
Alexander Shelley
Artistic and Music Director Meet Alexander
Jack Everly
Principal Pops Conductor Meet Jack
James Ehnes
Artistic Partner Meet James
Manuel López-Gómez
Associate Conductor Meet Manuel
Manuel López-Gómez
Manuel López-Gómez
Hugely successful appearances across the globe with many of the world’s finest orchestras have established Manuel López-Gómez’s reputation as a forceful, visionary and inspiring conductor. In addition to his concert work, Manuel is passionate about opera, having previously conducted and recorded the world premiere of Atahualpa by Carlo Enrico Pasta as well as engagements conducting Roméo et Juliette, Il viaggio a Reims and Le nozze di Figaro.
For more than 15 years, Manuel worked side-by-side with Gustavo Dudamel on symphonic and opera projects in Caracas, Los Angeles, Paris and at the Salzburg Festival.
Manuel began studying violin, piano, chamber music, composition and conducting in Venezuela. A product of El Sistema, he views the musical training of young people as a key duty. In 2024, he served as associate conductor of the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra and currently holds the position of associate conductor of the Naples Philharmonic.
Meet Manuel
