At the innovative performance space NEST – Neue Staatsoper im Künstlerhaus in Vienna, Peçi’s adaptation Mein erster Nussknacker (My First Nutcracker) invites young audiences aged 6–10 to step into a magical world where classical music and contemporary movement unite. 

Mein erster Nussknacker reimagines the familiar Tchaikovsky score through a condensed, humorous, and contemporary lens. The story unfolds in a nut-and-chocolate shop, where children embark on exciting adventures and even confront burglars, all guided by the mysterious Drosselmeyer and the spirited Clara. The production showcases students and the youth company of the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera, providing them with a rare and inspiring opportunity to perform in a major artistic context. 

The premiere is on March 25, and then it will be performed on 26 and 27, of March 2026. This charming rendition combines iconic music with vibrant choreography, guiding young spectators toward a lifelong appreciation of ballet. By creating a work specifically for children and performed by rising dance talents, Peçi underscores the importance of fostering artistic curiosity and cultural engagement from an early age. 

In doing so, Mein erster Nussknacker not only brings Tchaikovsky’s world to life but also celebrates the next generation of performers and audiences alike, a vision that resonates deeply within Vienna’s rich cultural landscape and beyond.

“I will base it on classical tradition, with my own contemporary interpretation. The music will be classical, but interpreted differently,” Peçi has said in an early interview for HAJDE. 

His work is a combination of the classical and the contemporary. The concept, the idea, and the organisation of the music are his. 

Peçi, who trained at both the Ballet Academy in Tirana and the Ballet School of the Vienna State Opera before becoming a leading figure in the Vienna State Ballet, has long been recognised for bridging classical tradition with new artistic perspectives. 

His career, marked by international awards and groundbreaking choreographic works, embodies a dedication to both excellence and accessibility in dance.