Herr Drosselmeyer Nutcracker Toymaker

The Nutcracker fable seems to have two different storylines.  We all know about the ballets that go on during Christmas.  But did you know that the story is slightly different from the children’s tale written by E.T.A. Hoffmann circa 1816.  In both cases, Herr Drosselmeyer appears as a toymaker full of tricks.

Who is Drosselmeyer?

Even in ballets, there are several versions of the Nutcracker.  Drosselmeyer plays essentially the same character in all of them.  He is a toymaker.  See his figurine?  He’s carrying a wee-nutcracker toy.

Drosselmeier gives the Nutcracker as a present to young Clara as a Christmas gift.  The Nutcracker comes to life at midnight to do battle against the Mouse King.  After the battle, he transforms into a prince.

In the children’s book (and some versions of ballet), the Nutcracker is Drosselmeyer’s nephew.  Drosselmeier also had a hand in death of the Mouse Queen’s children by building a trap for them.  It was the Mouse Queen who had cursed Drosselmeyer’s nephew into the Nutcracker.

Drosselmeyer is a key figure in the story.  But his character is not one of complexity.  He is, however, a worthy addition to many Nutcracker ornament collection.