The Siberian State Ballet Company and Orchestra make the first-ever visit to the UK with a performance of two of Tchaikovsky's best-loved works, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, at Cardiff's St David's Hall.

The ballets, running from December 18 to January 4, are one of the highlights of the Christmas season at the Hall.

This festive season of dance opens on December 18 with The Nutcracker, which runs until December 24.

The wonder of Christmas Eve is brought to life with Tchaikovsky's magical score in this most famous of fairy-tale ballets for all the family.

As night falls, toys are brought to life and the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome Prince who takes young Clara to the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Swan Lake, the greatest romantic ballet ever written, will run from December 27 to January 4 .

Tchaikovsky's masterful score evokes the opulence and splendour of the magnificent court and the enchanting scenes of the Swans in perfect formation, as this immortal love story unfolds.

The Siberian State Ballet was founded in 1981 with dancers from the Schools of Moscow, Perm, St Petersburg, Alma-Ata and Kiev, and has quickly established itself as one of Russia's leading ballet companies.

Their first performance was Swan Lake, and they have also performed classics such as Don Quixote, Giselle and The Sleeping Beauty on tours around the world including Portugal, Spain, Philippines, China, Norway and Taiwan.

For a free colour brochure giving details of show times and dates, call the St David's Hall Marketing Department on 029 2087 8543 or visit the St David's Hall website at www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

There are matinee performances at 2.30pm and evening performances at 7pm (5pm for Sunday performances).

Tickets for matinees are priced £11 to £22.50 and evening performances are priced £12.50 to £27.50 with reductions available.

Tickets are on sale now and full show details are available from the St David's Hall Box Office Ballet Hotline on 029 2087 8440.