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Looks like Angelo Greco is planning to be back for Midsummer Night's Dream: https://www.instagram.com/p/C33SHo1SKd0/ Update from WanTing Zhao on February 7th: Ten months post-knee injury and I’m happy with where I’m at! 🎉Still not perfect, but almost there. Keep pushing forward; the end is in sight. 💫 https://www.instagram.com/p/C3DZXVKxHLO/?hl=en&img_index=1 She also posted a photo of her and Lonnie Weeks attending a Nutcracker performance - both dressed to the nines - and Lonnie was wearing a boot, so that's what has been going on with him: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1P59EVvL3L/?hl=en&img_index=1

YY's leaving has been an ongoing process for some time, so I think literally everyone got a chance to talk with her before the official end. I like your idea about showing her in iconic roles, and that pandemic era solo performance that Possokhov choreographed was really great wasn't it? She was extraordinary in The Little Mermaid and RAkU. When I was looking through the various Pointe Magazine photos, there was the early one of YY and Muriel Maffre on stage that really made me realize just how much time had passed, and how many dance eras YY has experienced. And SFB has finally reached an era in which, I believe, there are no French-trained dancers at the company. Which I would like to see rectified, now that the ranks are rather thin on top.

Hip hip hooray!

With $60 Million Gift, San Francisco Ballet Plans Focus on New Works The transformative contribution, from an anonymous donor, is the largest in the company’s 91-year history and one of the biggest ever to an American dance group. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/15/arts/dance/san-francisco-ballet-60-million-dollar-gift.html "...San Francisco Ballet has received a groundbreaking gift: It announced on Thursday that it had secured a $60 million contribution from an anonymous donor, the largest in the company’s 91-year history and one of the biggest ever to an American dance company."

We are pleased to have you join us on the forum. Welcome!

Ozawa was one of my favorite conductors of the last 50 years or so. His Nutcracker recording with the Boston Symphony is excellent, btw. Seiji Ozawa: 8 Essential Recordings Ozawa, who died this week at 88 years old, left behind a catalog made with orchestras in Boston, Chicago and elsewhere. Listen to highlights. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/arts/music/seiji-ozawa-recordings.html

Angelo Greco is back(!), but dancing with Frances rather than Misa. Tiit and John-Paul Simoens as "guests" is kind of funny - maybe YYT asked for Tiit specifically as part of her farewell. Simoens (and his brother Benjamin) is now up at Oregon Ballet Theatre working with Danielle Rowe.

I thought she was aiming to be 50 and still dancing. 😉 But her marriage seemed to be a sign that big changes were in the works. I can't imagine she has too many regrets with that career.

Here's the link to the SFB web page: https://www.sfballet.org/productions/gala-performance/ CELEBRATE TAMARA ROJO’S INAUGURAL SEASON Join us for an exceptional one-night performance to celebrate the opening of the tenure season of our first-ever female artistic director, Tamara Rojo. Your ticket grants you admission to the 8 PM performance at the War Memorial Opera House, featuring an exclusive program curated by Tamara Rojo to create an unforgettable evening... GALA PERFORMANCES Pas de Deux from Swan Lake, Act III “La Llorona” from Broken Wings Pas de Deux from Marguerite and Armand Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux Pas de Deux from 7 for Eight Diana and Acteon Pas de Deux Pas de Deux from Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming Excerpt from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act II

I don't think anyone is surprised, but the timing of it is a little weird. I imagine Luke is approaching retirement time as well. The company has been losing all of its tall men - not advantageous.

I see that Dale did post on this topic a few years ago. The Balanchine Catalogue Archive listing has changed - I don't seem to be able to create a direct link, so here's some text for those who haven't heard of this ballet: Ballet in Five Scenes Music George Frederick Handel (from the Royal Fireworks Music, 1749, and Water Music, ca. 1717). Book by George Lewis; underlying ideas in the organization of the sequence of scenes suggested by Dr. Arthur Upham Pope Choreography George Balanchine Production Scenery, costumes, and lighting by Esteban Francés. Scenery executed by Nolan Brothers; costumes executed by Karinska Premiere April 13, 1960, New York City Ballet, City Center of Music and Drama, New York. Conductor: Robert Irving Cast [presumably the NYCB opening night cast] SCENE I, THE SANDS OF THE DESERT: Violette Verdy, 18 women; SCENE II, THE WEAVING OF THE CARPET (PAS D’ACTION): Verdy, 12 women; Nomad Tribesmen, Conrad Ludlow, 6 men; SCENE III, THE BUILDING OF THE PALACE: ENTRANCE OF THE IRANIAN COURT: Prince and Princess of Persia, Jacques d’Amboise, Melissa Hayden; Their Courtiers, 8 couples; THE RECEPTION OF THE FOREIGN AMBASSADORS: France: The Prince and Princesses of Lorraine, Edward Villella, Susan Borree, Suki Schorer; Spain: The Duke and Duchess of Granada, Francisco Moncion, Judith Green; America: The Princess of the West Indies, Francia Russell, 6 women; China: The Duke and Duchess of L’an L’ing, Nicholas Magallanes, Patricia McBride, 4 women; Africa: The Oni of Ife and His Consort, Arthur Mitchell, Mary Hinkson (guest artist); Scotland: The Four Lairds of the Isles and Their Lady, Diana Adams, 4 men; GRAND PAS DE DEUX: Hayden, d’Amboise; SCENE IV, FINALE: THE GARDENS OF PARADISE; SCENE V, APOTHEOSIS: THE FOUNTAINS OF HEAVEN

I believe this may be the only portion of Balanchine's Figure in the Carpet to be preserved on film - Diana Adams and (perhaps) Nicholas Magallanes lead things off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHaWrSfMTpA

SFB is now posting a comprehensive casting for the first 3 days of The Nutcracker: https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/ So presumably there will be more updates to come.

SF Ballet launches Creation House for choreographers: "San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) launches Creation House, a new multifaceted initiative offering SF Ballet company members, SF Ballet School students, and guest artists an expansive portfolio of career-enhancing creative opportunities with a focus on choreography and new work development." https://enfacemagazine.com/blog/2023/07/14/san-francisco-ballet-launches-creation-house/

SFB Nutcracker Program Book for 2023: https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/2024-season/program-books/

I was surprised to stumble upon this video today: Leaving San Francisco Ballet - A Prima Ballerina's Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8C3f_lwjXM The dancer being Mathilde Froustey, and the video was shot by the photographer Alexis Cuarezma. As it happens, I recently purchased one of Alexis' photographs and we e-mail chatted briefly about his work with Mathilde.

Legion of Honor Museum announcement: Botticelli to Balanchine: A Conversation on the Renaissance of Dance Join us for a conversation exploring Renaissance dance in conjunction with the Botticelli Drawings exhibition and the San Francisco Ballet’s upcoming presentation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This conversation will feature Tamara Rojo, artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet, and Furio Rinaldi, exhibition curator and curator of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, moderated by Sarah Mackay, assistant curator of prints, drawings, and photographs. Watch the livestream December 9, 2023 2 pm Ticket info Free program, also available via livestream. Seating is limited and unassigned. Tickets are distributed in front of Gunn Theater an hour before. This does not include admission to the exhibition. https://www.famsf.org/events/botticelli-conversation-renaissance-dance

Kenneth MacMillan's Song of the Earth in rehearsal at SFB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zf5R5YHmig

For the sake of posterity (and future searches), here's the official listing - subject to change. The mighty Frances Chung is back! Notable absences: Angelo Greco, Lizzie Powell, Ellen Rose Hummel, Luke Ingham, Myles Thatcher, Lonnie Weeks, WanTing Zhao and Yuan Yuan Tan. Wednesday, December 13, 7:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Jasmine Jimison and Mingxuan Wang Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Nikisha Fogo and Aaron Robison Thursday, December 14, 11:00 AM Conductor: Brad Hogarth Queen and King of the Snow: Jihyun Choi and Nathaniel Remez Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha Mukhamedov Grand Pas de Deux: Misa Kuranaga and Joseph Walsh Thursday, December 14, 7:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Isabella DeVivo and Nathaniel Remez Sugar Plum Fairy: Wona Park Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung and Cavan Conley Friday, December 15, 2:00 PM Conductor: Brad Hogarth Queen and King of the Snow: Julia Rowe and Simone Pompignoli Sugar Plum Fairy: Norika Matsuyama Grand Pas de Deux: Katherine Barkman and Esteban Hernández Friday, December 15, 7:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha Mukhamedov and Henry Sidford Sugar Plum Fairy: Jasmine Jimison Grand Pas de Deux: Misa Kuranaga and Joseph Walsh Saturday, December 16, 2:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Thamires Chuvas and Steven Morse Sugar Plum Fairy: Jennifer Stahl Grand Pas de Deux: Wona Park and Wei Wang Saturday, December 16, 7:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung and Cavan Conley Sugar Plum Fairy: Nikisha Fogo Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola and Isaac Hernández Sunday, December 17, 2:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Norika Matsuyama and Joshua Jack Price Sugar Plum Fairy: Katherine Barkman Grand Pas de Deux: Jasmine Jimison and Mingxuan Wang Sunday, December 17, 7:00 PM Conductor: Brad Hogarth Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha Mukhamedov and Henry Sidford Sugar Plum Fairy: Isabella DeVivo Grand Pas de Deux: Julia Rowe and Cavan Conley Tuesday, December 19, 11:00 AM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Norika Matsuyama and Joshua Jack Price Sugar Plum Fairy: Carmela Mayo Grand Pas de Deux: Julia Rowe and Cavan Conley Tuesday, December 19, 7:00 PM Conductor: Marc Taddei Queen and King of the Snow: Isabella DeVivo and Nathaniel Remez Sugar Plum Fairy: Jennifer Stahl Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola and Isaac Hernández Wednesday, December 20, 2:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha Mukhamedov and Henry Sidford Sugar Plum Fairy: Jasmine Jimison Grand Pas de Deux: Nikisha Fogo and Aaron Robison Wednesday, December 20, 7:00 PM Conductor: David LaMarche Queen and King of the Snow: Julia Rowe and Simone Pompignoli Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Katherine Barkman and Esteban Hernández Thursday, December 21, 2:00 PM Conductor: David LaMarche Queen and King of the Snow: Jihyun Choi and Nathaniel Remez Sugar Plum Fairy: Carmela Mayo Grand Pas de Deux: Misa Kuranaga and Joseph Walsh Thursday, December 21, 7:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha Mukhamedov and Henry Sidford Sugar Plum Fairy: Wona Park Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung and Cavan Conley Friday, December 22, 2:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Norika Matsuyama and Joshua Jack Price Sugar Plum Fairy: Thamires Chuvas Grand Pas de Deux: Jasmine Jimison and Mingxuan Wang Friday, December 22, 7:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Julia Rowe and Simone Pompignoli Sugar Plum Fairy: Norika Matsuyama Grand Pas de Deux: Nikisha Fogo and Aaron Robison Saturday, December 23, 2:00 PM Conductor: David LaMarche Queen and King of the Snow: Thamires Chuvas and Steven Morse Sugar Plum Fairy: Isabella DeVivo Grand Pas de Deux: Misa Kuranaga and Joseph Walsh Saturday, December 23, 7:00 PM Conductor: David LaMarche Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung and Cavan Conley Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha Mukhamedov Grand Pas de Deux: Wona Park and Wei Wang Sunday, December 24, 11:00 AM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Isabella DeVivo and Nathaniel Remez Sugar Plum Fairy: Jennifer Stahl Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola and Isaac Hernández Sunday, December 24, 4:00 PM Conductor: Marc Taddei Queen and King of the Snow: Jasmine Jimison and Mingxuan Wang Sugar Plum Fairy: Katherine Barkman Grand Pas de Deux: Nikisha Fogo and Aaron Robison Tuesday, December 26, 2:00 PM Conductor: Marc Taddei Queen and King of the Snow: Thamires Chuvas and Steven Morse Sugar Plum Fairy: Wona Park Grand Pas de Deux: Jasmine Jimison and Mingxuan Wang Tuesday, December 26, 7:00 PM Conductor: Ming Luke Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha Mukhamedov and Henry Sidford Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung and Cavan Conley Wednesday, December 27, 2:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Jihyun Choi and Nathaniel Remez Sugar Plum Fairy: Thamires Chuvas Grand Pas de Deux: Katherine Barkman and Esteban Hernández Wednesday, December 27, 7:00 PM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Julia Rowe and Simone Pompignoli Sugar Plum Fairy: Jennifer Stahl Grand Pas de Deux: Misa Kuranaga and Joseph Walsh Thursday, December 28, 2:00 PM Conductor: Ming Luke Queen and King of the Snow: Isabella DeVivo and Nathaniel Remez Sugar Plum Fairy: Jasmine Jimison Grand Pas de Deux: Wona Park and Wei Wang Thursday, December 28, 7:00 PM Conductor: Marc Taddei Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung and Cavan Conley Sugar Plum Fairy: Katherine Barkman Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola and Isaac Hernández Friday, December 29, 2:00 PM Conductor: Marc Taddei Queen and King of the Snow: Norika Matsuyama and Joshua Jack Price Sugar Plum Fairy: Jennifer Stahl Grand Pas de Deux: Nikisha Fogo and Aaron Robison Friday, December 29, 7:00 PM Conductor: Ming Luke Queen and King of the Snow: Jasmine Jimison and Mingxuan Wang Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha Mukhamedov Grand Pas de Deux: Misa Kuranaga and Joseph Walsh Saturday, December 30, 11:00 AM Conductor: Martin West Queen and King of the Snow: Thamires Chuvas and Steven Morse Sugar Plum Fairy: Isabella DeVivo Grand Pas de Deux: Katherine Barkman and Esteban Hernández Saturday, December 30, 4:00 PM Conductor: Ming Luke Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung and Cavan Conley Sugar Plum Fairy: Nikisha Fogo Grand Pas de Deux: Wona Park and Wei Wang

Ulrich's dissertation should still be available as a free PDF online, but let me know if you can't find it.

No problem. If you have any other questions/comments just post them to the new Nutcracker 2023 thread. We'd love to hear about your experience.

Then it's all about buying tickets for the date you can go. I think the safest thing to do would be to go ahead and purchase the tickets for your chosen date and time, and when the casting gets posted you can decide if you need to make a change - it is often not difficult to sell tickets that you can't use on Craigslist: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/sfc/tia?purveyor=owner&query=san francisco ballet#search=1~gallery~0~0

Do you live in the Bay area, or are you going to be visiting? If you're local, I would recommend going on a couple of different days to see alternate casts. Have you seen performances in the War Memorial Opera House lately? If you've never been to this Nutcracker before, I would recommend getting a fairly decent seat location, though I know the prices for the general public are rather high. [I suspect the reduced number of 2023 Nutcracker shows is inspiring SFB to hike the ticket prices.] The 'Orchestra Ring' (seats around the outside) tend to be less expensive and the view not too bad. I'm an expert on that area of the opera house. 😉

Marcela, I just created a thread for Nutcracker 2023 here: https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/47798-sfb-nutcracker-2023/ SFB tends to be late in posting castings. The evening shows often have the top performers, but with Nutcracker, there can be very good matinee shows too, so I don't think you can really go wrong. It's good that you will get to see Tomasson's Nutcracker, before the new A.D. makes big changes. Tiit Helimets as Drosselmeyer is always good. This is a period of change at SFB, and a few of the veterans have left, but there are still plenty of great dancers in the company. The Grand Pas de Deux is normally given to the company's best. I wonder if Jasmine Jimison will be dancing it this year.

This year, Nutcracker performances begin on Wednesday, December 13, running through the 30th: https://www.sfballet.org/discover/press-center/press-releases/release/san-francisco-ballets-nutcracker-returns-to-the-war-memorial-opera-house-december-13-30/ Looks like Tamara Rojo decided to reduce the number of dates to gain time for other things in the 2024 season.