Throwback Thursday and E.T.A. Hoffmann
Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, better known as E.T.A.
Hoffmann, was a German author, composer, and artist born in 1776. He studied law
and in 1800 was a court official in Berlin. However, partly because he had
drawn an uncomplimentary sketch of one of his superiors, he was forced to leave
his position and move to the Polish town, Plock.
He began to develop his talents as a writer, composer and
artist. In 1808 he became the orchestra conductor in Bamberg, and started writing
the short stories he is best remembered for today. His early works were fantasy/horror stories, and he remains known
for his darker works, although he wrote lighter works, too.
One of Hoffmann’s stories was adapted by author Alexandre
Dumas – the tale of a little girl and her Christmas toys. Hoffmann titled it: Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Dumas
altered the tale, making it less dark and less scary. In 1892 it became a
ballet, although at first it wasn’t exactly a smash hit.
Today The Nutcracker
ballet is a holiday classic, but few people know anything about the man whose story
started it all.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #15p:
“The Nutcracker ballet was based on a tale
by E.T.A. Hoffmann.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“I've always been famous, it's
just no one knew it yet.”
― Lady Gaga
― Lady Gaga
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