PeggyR

Ellen Rose Hummel:  Finally!!!  

All excellent promotions.  Have to agree with others that Park’s may be a little premature.  Despite an excellent Kitri, her Aurora had little or no character development, but I guess creating a fully rounded character is a little like learning to drive a stick shift:  you just have to stall the car a few times while you get the hang of it.

It seems to me that these promotions show confidence on Tomasson’s part that next season will continue more or less normally, a confidence I don’t quite share.  Hope I’m wrong but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if large gatherings were restricted or even still prohibited until effective ways are found to deal with the virus.  Also curious to see the season announcement for 2021:  full season, or a partial one to save money.  I certainly don’t envy ADs who have to make these tough decisions.  Still, these promotions are the kind of good news we could all use now.

Zellerbach (across the Bay in Berkeley) is open with Joffrey this weekend, the Trocks next week, and Alvin Ailey at the end of March.  There’s a notice on the web site that they are monitoring the situation, so things could change.  I have a ticket for Pina Bausch in late April, so hoping things will have stabilized by then.  

 Quite aside from all the other difficult aspects of this situation, this uncertainty must be awful for performers.

I am just gutted.  Had tickets for 4 perfs and was so looking forward to seeing this finally on stage, but as a member of an 'at risk' group (crochety old ladies), I certainly can't complain about more aggressive measures being taken.  How this situation plays out in the end (cancelled performances/gatherins at various venues, lost revenues, unhappy customers...) will be interesting in a grim sort of way.  Agree that it's the dancers who are the most affected after putting so much time and effort into preparing.  The effects go beyond the WMOH, of course.  I cancelled both hotel and lunch reservations for today, and likely many others will do the same.  

4 hours ago, sf_herminator said:

I was at tonight's opening (and now only) performance of A Midsummer NIght's Dream.  Why did it take so long to bring it back after 30+ years??  The entire company was wonderful.  In addition to the already posted cast (Yuan Yuan Tan as Titania, Joseph Walsh as Oberon, Esteban Hernandez as Puck, Wona Park as Lead Butterfly, Angelo Grecp/Misa Kuranaga as Act 2 Divertissement), we had Helena-Mathilde Froustey, Hermia-Dores Andre, Lysander-Benjamin Freemantle, Demetrius-Ulrik Birkjaer, Theseus-Luke Ingham, Titania's Cavalier-Tiit Helimets, and Bottom-Alexandre Cagnat.  The entire company was in wonderful form.  Yuan Yuan was a really lovely Titania, Esteban a very spirited Puck.  I have never seen Jennifer Stahl dance with so much verve.  I am just so disappointed that we will not be able to see any more performances now that there is an order to close all performance venues for the next two weeks.  I may most more but I am just gutted right now about the decision to close the venues.  I feel the most badly for the dancers who worked so hard for these performances - and not there won't be any more this season.  I posted pics of the program cover, cast sheet, and the view from my seat on FB which I have made public (just this post) so you should be able to see - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10221456940523087&set=pcb.10221456942923147&type=3&theater.  Here is a link to the War Memorial website with the closure announcement - https://sfwarmemorial.org/notices.  

 

It's good you were able to see last night's performance; that's really luxury casting.

Well, that certainly puts a damper on the rest of the ballet season.  Of course, I’m happy for them, although I too had hopes that when Sylve retired, she would be involved either with the ballet school or the company in some capacity.  Wishing them both all the best, and I hope they know how much they will be missed.

 BTW, if Sylve dances Diamonds later this season, I’d suggest moving heaven and earth to see her.

I’ve got tickets for March 7 at 2 and 8 pm, and March 8 and 15 at 2 pm.  My budget is groaning in agony, but I might try to eke out the Tuesday performance just to see Tan, who should be a glorious Titania.

Glad to see Lucas Erni dancing Puck.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he were in line for promotion to soloist:  his technique looks solid and he has personality to spare.  

Also, very happy to have a chance to see Max Cauthorn with an Oberon.  He always stands out for his clean, beautiful dancing, but he isn’t often cast at my subscription performances.

19 hours ago, Josette said:

The first featured Sasha De Sola in her premiere, dancing with Luke Ingham.  I thought she looked tense in the first act. Honestly, I was underwhelmed by her  performance and felt she was making faces without her understanding who her Cinderella is, and this was not helped by the fact that Sarah Van Patten was on stage, more brilliant a presence and actress than ever.  During the intermission and upon leaving the opera house, I heard numerous people rhapsodizing about Van Patten's performance.

I went to one of the rehearsals that patrons can attend, and had a nice, long discussion with someone about De Sola.  Unfortunately, we were in complete agreement that she isn't much of an actor.  She seems to be a work horse and dances a lot, which I appreciate; but she just isn't someone I look forward to seeing, and I certainly wouldn't buy an extra ticket just to see her.  Knowing the amount of time and sweat dancers put into becoming dancers, not to mention the brevity of their careers, I always feels guilty about not wanting to see someone perform.

I assume you saw Van Patten as the Stepmother, and couldn't agree more about how funny she is.  Playing 'tipsy' needs impeccable timing and she's got it.  I also saw Maggie Weirich in the same role, and while she danced the comedy well enough, she just wasn't particularly funny.  And BTW, if you thought Van Patten's Stepmother was hilarious, don't miss her Juliet:  an absolutely stunning dramatic performance that left me shredded.

5 hours ago, volcanohunter said:

If that means better sight lines, then it's a very big deal!

Here's the press release about the new seating.  The problem is, that absolutely nothing will make that place suitable for watching dance.  I guess at least we can be comfortable while we aren't seeing the ballet!😊

2 hours ago, Josette said:

...  but find it interesting that she is not dancing the Wheeldon Cinderella as she would be lovely in it. 

It might be  a little premature to say she’s not dancing Cinderella, since there are three more performances on Feb 1 and 2 where she might show up.  I certainly hope so; it’s a perfect role for her.

8 hours ago, seattle_dancer said:

I do think it will be interesting to see Sofiane in the title role, she is a much taller dancer and of different physique than the two SB dancers I saw dance Odette.  They were more petite.  But I know Dawson has a long history with Sofiane, there is You Tube footage of her in The Grey Area pdd when she was with NYCB, so I'm sure it's going to be something special.

Watching that video, I have to say the choreography looks well suited to Sylve's long limbs and beautiful lines.

Re the rest of the Gala, I'm curious about the absence of Ulrik Birkkjaer, especially with the Bournonville excerpt.  Having him in the company seems like a good time to bring in some Bournonville.  He and Kochectkova danced (beautifully) a PdD from La Sylphide at the 2018 Gala, and it occurred to me then that his presence was a great opportunity to give all the dancers, but particularly the newer promotees (is that a word?) some experience with the style.

Enjoy the performance, and I look forward to comparing notes.

4 hours ago, pherank said:

RE: Sofiiane - in interviews/talks she keeps indicating that she's not particularly interested in dancing those "young maiden" roles in the traditional ballets. But obviously, she makes the effort when required to do so.

I believe the Dawson SL is not based on the standard version, but is his own interpretation and choreography:   no Rothbart, no tutus, and a strong, more contemporary Odette.  This Odette might appeal to Sylve more than the usual version, although I saw her performance at SFB a few years ago and it was, predictably, gorgeous.  Plus, of course, we’ll just be seeing one PdD, not the whole ballet.

 Here’s a link to a ‘making of’ video from Scottish Ballet.  Dawson’s commentary and the viewer comments give some interesting information about his take on the ballet.

It's good to see my favorites, Chung and Walsh, getting opening night.  And the André/Di Lanno pairing sound interesting, if a little unexpected.  Have they danced together before?

On 1/7/2020 at 5:02 PM, pherank said:

Sylve dancing Swan Lake roles is unusual these days. a farewell to the classics?.

Note that this is not the usual SL, but David Dawson’s version.  I’m very curious to see this; I believe it has gotten mixed reviews, and there appear to be several clips on YouTube.

http://www.seeingdance.com/scottish-ballet-swan-lake-22042016/

https://dancetabs.com/2016/04/scottish-ballet-swan-lake-dawson-premiere-glasgow/

SPELLBOUND, SF BALLET'S 2020 OPENING NIGHT GALA 

Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 8:00 pm

Men's Regiment from STARS & STRIPES
Composer: John Philip Sousa, arranged by Hershy Kay
Choreographer: George Balanchine
Conductor: Martin West

Lucas Erni

 MYLES THATCHER WORLD PREMIERE
Composer: TBA
Choreographer: Myles Thatcher

Sasha De Sola, Benjamin Freemantle

 "JOCKEY DANCE" from From Siberia To Moscow
Composer: Carl Christian Møller
Choreographer: August Bournonville
Conductor: Martin West

Esteban Hernandez, Max Cauthorn

 VAL CANIPAROLI WORLD PREMIERE
Composer: Ludovico Einaudi
Choreographer: Val Caniparoli
Conductor: Martin West

Jennifer Stahl, Elizabeth Powell, Tiit Helimets

 Balcony Pas de Deux from ROMEO & JULIET
Composer: Sergei Prokofiev
Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson
Conductor: Martin West

Mathilde Froustey, Carlo Di Lanno

 Pas de Deux from LE CORSAIRE
Composer: Riccardo Drigo
Choreography: after Marius Petipa
Conductor: Martin West

Misa Kuranaga, Angelo Greco

 INTERMISSION

 Pas de Deux from HURRY UP, WE'RE DREAMING
Composers: Anthony Gonzalez, Yann Gonzalez, and Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Choreographer: Justin Peck

Sarah Van Patten, Henry Sidford

 FOR PIXIE
Composer: TBA
Choreographer: Danielle Rowe

Dores André, Joseph Walsh

 SF Ballet Premiere
Pas de Deux from SWAN LAKE
Composer: Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky
Choreographer: David Dawson
Conductor: Martin West
Violin: Cordula Merks
Cello: Eric Sung

Sofiane Sylve, Carlo Di Lanno

 GRAND PAS CLASSIQUE
Composer: D. F. E. Auber
Choreography: Victor Gsovsky
Conductor: Martin West

Wona Park, Wei Wang

 Pas de Deux from BELLS
Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Choreographer: Yuri Possokhov
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Yuan Yuan Tan, Vitor Luiz

 Finale from DIAMONDS
Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreographer: George Balanchine
Conductor: Martin West

Sasha Mukhamedov, Tiit Helimets

*DENOTES ROLE DEBUT IN CURRENT PRODUCTION
†DENOTES DEBUT IN CURRENT PRODUCTION

5 hours ago, Josette said:

It was my first look at Misa Kuranaga, who is a gem!

I saw Kuranaga at last year’s Gala and completely agree:  she is a gem, and she seems to fit right into the SFB company style.   (As much as I admired the beauty of Ana Sophia Scheller’s dancing, I never saw the energy and vivacity that characterizes SFB.)  According to some of Kuranaga’s Instagram posts, she’s rehearsing Cinderella; I definitely plan on seeing that.

I don’t think the ‘uninspired’ had anything to do with the anyone not dancing his/her heart out.  I’m not a musician, but to my ear some of the tempos seemed on the slow side, which kind of stifles a cheerful ballet like Nutcracker.  Enjoy the ballet and I hope you report on the performances.

Saturday 12/21 2:00 pm

Nice if overall uninspired performance with a few notable moments to brighten things up a bit. 

I chose this performance mainly to see Jahna Frantziskonis (hereafter JF) and Wona Park, neither of whom disappointed.

JF danced the Snow Queen, and what I find amusing about her is that she ‘dances big’, so big that you don’t realize how petite she is until you see her standing on flat foot among other dancers.  It’s really a little startling.  This is the first time I’ve seen her in a classical role and she danced with great delicacy, including half a dozen fouettes that ended with a perfect quad and a perfectly nailed finish.  I don’t usually give more than halfhearted applause to fouettés, because too often they’re just applause machines regardless of the quality.  But this time, happy to clap with enthusiasm.

Snow King (Wei Wang) doesn’t have a lot to do, but Wang did let loose with some gorgeous double tours en l’air, all fully turned and landed in a perfect fifth.  You get so accustomed to these being cheated and scrunched around to finish that it really makes you sit up and notice when they’re this flawless.

Park and Greco danced the Grand Pas de Deux beautifully, including the shoulder jumps that went without a hitch.  Greco’s jumps are airy and spacious, and his landings nearly soundless, which is nice change from some of the thuds I’ve heard from other male dancers in recent seasons.  And getting back to fouettés:  Park did a dozen on-a-dime single-single-doubles with a clean finish.  Again, happy to add my applause.

Oh, and still the old Flower costumes.  I wonder what happened.

According to SFBallet on Instagram, the program for the 2020 Opening Night Gala has been announced.  Here’s an announcement, but not the program since I have never in my entire life been able to find the mysterious ‘link in our bio’ (I clicked on everything clickable and nothing took me to the program, or to anything that looked like a link to the program; Googled re ‘where the heck is the bio’ – apparently I’m not the only one with this problem – followed directions, but still can’t find it.).  Anyway, here’s information from the Instagram post.  Looking forward to the premieres, especially Thatcher’s.  And very sorry to be reminded Luiz is leaving. 

 “Just announced: programming for SPELLBOUND: SF Ballet’s Opening Night Gala! This one-night-only performance, on 1/16/20, will include three world premieres by current and former members of SF Ballet: Val Caniparoli, Choreographer in Residence Yuri Possokhov, and Myles Thatcher. “For the first time in 30 years, I decided to ask three choreographers to create new pas de deux or pas de trois for opening night,” says Tomasson, who celebrates his record-breaking 35th season with the Company in 2020. “What connects these choreographers is that they are all close members of the San Francisco Ballet family, and they each represent a different generation of dancemaking.”

The world premieres by Caniparoli, Possokhov, and Thatcher are highlights of a twelve-piece program that also includes the SF Ballet premiere of a pas de deux from David Dawson’s Swan Lake, created in 2016 for Scottish Ballet, and the Balcony Pas de Deux from Romeo & Juliet. Yuan Yuan Tan, who celebrates her 25th season with SF Ballet in 2020, will also dance the pas de deux from Yuri Possokhov’s Bells with Vitor Luiz, marking Luiz’s farewell performance with the Company. 
Link in bio for full programming.”

Attending 12/21 2 pm performance:

Snow:  Frantziskonis/Wang

SPF:  Andre

GPdD:  Park/Greco

Wish I could afford more, but may try standing room for a couple.

Does anyone know if the new Flower costumes have made an appearance this season?  All the photos I’ve seen have the old ones, but are likely photos from previous years.

1 hour ago, Buddy said:

This Cal Performances post shows the starting time as 1pm.

https://test-na-calp.tn.services/events

Your “11/2 matinee” implies a different time. Maybe your time is a new one.

Also see my above post if you just now looked in.

Hi Buddy:  yes, The performance does begin at 1 pm.  By 11/2 I meant November 2, just too lazy to write it out    Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks so much for posting the review.  I have a ticket for Saturday 11/2 matinee, which is also Kondaurova.  Saw her in Swan Lake last time they were here and I'm really looking forward to this.  Not sure I'm going to make it, though; I spent four nights sleeping on a friends extremely uncomfortable sofa after being evacuated from Santa Rosa due to the fires.  My part of town was in no real danger, but the winds were so strong and unpredictable, the powers that be very sensibly decided it was better not to take chances with blowing embers, and they issued a mandatory evacuation.  My back hurts so much, not sure I can sit through a three hour ballet, which is  frustrating, because what I really need right now is some ballet!😊

It looks like SFB has a new website.  I wasn’t crazy about the previous one, but this one seems to have some problems.  I'm curious to know it anyone else is experiencing similar issues before I report it to SFB.  I'm using Safari High Sierra on Mac, so maybe that's the problem, but it's hard to believe such a widely used platform wasn't thoroughly tested.  

-Choosing your own seats takes quite a while to load.  Actually, everything seems to be very slow to load, slow to the point I finally just gave up trying to browse the new site.

-Once the seat selection screen does finally load, I can’t find the camera view showing how the stage looks from different seating areas.  Not critical, but it was nice to have.

-During payment, the billing address that popped up is 30 years old (the more important mailing address was OK, but still…)  Strongly suggest carefully checking any auto-filled information.

-After completing the purchase, got a message asking if I wanted to add the dates to my calendar.  “Sure” said I, little suspecting.  Now there’s a popup labeled ‘Progress’ which has not made any progress in the last hour; no ‘Cancel’ button; my calendar displayed when I gave the go-ahead and is now frozen and can’t be closed.  I tried shutting down the computer, but can’t because … the calendar is open.  Can’t close the calendar so … can’t shut down the computer.  Will need to unplug, which is hardly the most graceful way to exit.  Arrrggghhh!

Sorry if this is a repeat, but I don’t see that this has been posted.  The TBD for Program 6 is now listed as Possokhov’s Classical Symphony.  Hoping to seeing some of the newer solists in the Kochetkova role,   https://www.sfballet.org/season/2020-repertory/2020-Program-6

On 7/30/2019 at 6:02 PM, pherank said:

Coming this Fall:

San Francisco Ballet on Film and Television series

"Ballet, film, and television may seem like disparate art forms with little relationship. But in fact, the ability to preserve dance on film has had a major impact on the preservation and dissemination of the art form, and the transmission of dance on television in the 20th century was instrumental in popularizing the art form in the United States. But what impact have television and film had on San Francisco Ballet in particular? How has this relationship changed as we’ve moved from film to television to the internet? And how are dancers and choreographers exploring today’s multifaceted media landscape?

Early Days
September 22, 1–3 pm

The Dance Boom
September 29, 1–3 pm

New Modes, New Media
October 6, 1–3 pm

https://www.sfballet.org/season/events/ballet-insights

Just purchased tickets for all three.  I went to last year’s series about the history of ballet in the US.  Given the time limitations, the lectures were well organized and informative, and more important, a lot of fun.  Definitely recommend attending if you can.

30 minutes ago, Josette said:

Principal dancer Jaime Garcia Castilla is no longer on the roster.  I have not seen an "official" announcement, except now is name is no longer listed on the website, so I guess we can call that "official."   I will never forget his brilliant performance in Eden Eden and was a devoted fan of his ever since.  I'm so glad I saw him this past season in Appassionata Sonata.   Wishing all the best to him in his new endeavors. 

Very sorry he’s no longer on the roster.  He was promoted to principal in 2008, around the time I started attending SFB regularly, and I vividly remember his beautiful performance in Tomasson’s ‘7 for 8’.  He seemed disappear for a while, and it’s only in the last few years that I’ve seen him with some regularity, always for me kind of a special occasion.  All the best to him in the future.