PeggyR

Posting in haste since I'm at work and supposedly, you know, working... I've never heard of 'rush' tickets. If cost is an issue (when isn't it?), you might try standing room; not sure of the current price (there's another thread about this cost going up), but you can stand at the back of the orchestra and see pretty well. Standing room is sold on the day of performance at the box office and I think it's cash only (may be wrong, but you could call); for the performance you line up outside on the Grove St side and I think they let you in about 7 (for evening). The person selling you the ticket can give you details. If you actually want to sit in a seat, the on-line ticket buying is good; here's a link: http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/2011season.asp Click the 'buy tickets' button for Program 8 (The Little Mermaid) and you will be taken to a location where you can select the date/time you are interested in, then see exactly what seats/prices are available. I looked at opening night for TLM and there are tickets in the dress circle (good but pricey)/balcony circle (pretty good and less pricey) and lots in the balcony (cheaper, but you'd be sitting in a galaxy far, far away). Note that I bought a ticket on line the other day and they soaked me a $10 'handling fee' (computers have hands now???). Good luck and if you go, please let us know your thoughts. Edited to add: does anyone know if TKTS or TIX or whatever it was (one of those discount ticket sellers) on Union Square is still around? I don't know if they ever sold SFB tickets, but it might be worth investigating.

Announcement released today:

I love photographs that break the rules of photography as this one does. It's 'moving' in many senses. I've never seen Lallone dance live, only on what has, over the years, become my favorite ballet DVD: PNB's Midsummer Night's Dream where, among a standout cast, she stands out as Hippolyta. Best wishes to her in the future.

Press release

My last remaining goal in life is to die and come back as Yurie Pascarella Here at the SF Opera House, fashion can be dictated to some degree by where you sit. My regular subscription seat is in the Balcony Circle (not quite the cheapest, but close) and the fashion sense definitely leans toward "Hey pal, let's have a brewski after the show..." Down in the Dress Circle/Grand Tier/Orchestra areas there's a noticeable uptick in the quality (though, as Helene points out, not necessarily in the quantity) of the clothing.

I saw these two and they were wonderful. Luiz doesnt have Domitros floating quality (Domitro doesnt jump, he lifts, as if hes being raptured), but Luiz is a solid technician and a very likable, slightly bewildered Franz all these pretty girls, I mean, whats a guy to do? As to Chung what can you say? Casting her as Swanhilda is a no-brainer but I was a little concerned about how well she would carry a whole ballet. Her Swanhilda is less theatrical than Zahorians, maybe a little less detailed, but Chungs acting is easy and natural, and shes very, very funny a born comedienne. That brief moment when she imitates Coppelius was priceless. (I have to say that she is proving to be a lot more versatile than I had anticipated, and this season shes been visibly more confident as if she finally scaled up from soloist to principal. Chung genuinely commands the stage now.) The biggest surprise to me, watching the matinee and evening performances on the same day, is how important Coppelius is to setting the overall tone of the performance. In the evening, Bustamantes Dr. was almost comical, a dotty old professor ripe for being teased by the youngsters. Amusing, but you didnt feel any pity for him. Damian Smith, though, took the role, and so the ballet, to a whole other level of humanity. Smith has said in interviews that he wanted to make Coppelius into a sad, lonely old man, and that he does brilliantly. Smiths Coppelius is physically and spiritually damaged and when he finds out the truth of Swanhildas trick, you dont sense anger, but genuine grief, as if hed been told of the death of his child (which he has been, in a way). It was an astonishing performance of genuine dramatic power. A word for the production: its beautiful, although Im still suffering from a slight case of pink overload. Great addition for the company.

Did Hernandez replace Domitro who replaced Boada and dance with Zahorian in the last Saturday night performance? (i.e., am I sorry I flew out Saturday night?) On Saturday night, Domitro replaced Boada. On Thursday night, Hernandez replaced Boada. PROGRAM 5 Evening Thursday, March 24, 2011, 8:00 PM COPPÉLIA Choreography: Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine Conductor: Martin West Swanilda: Vanessa Zahorian Franz: Isaac Hernández* Dr. Coppelius: Ricardo Bustamante +premiere in this production

Cast change: PROGRAM 5 Evening Saturday, March 26, 2011, 8:00 PM COPPÉLIAChoreography: Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine Conductor: Martin West Swanilda: Vanessa Zahorian Franz: Taras Domitro (Joan Boada originally scheduled) Dr. Coppelius: Ricardo Bustamante I'm going to both of Saturday's performances, and was really looking forward to seeing Boada, who hasn't been around a lot lately. Guess I'll just have to console myself with Taras

She truly defined the word 'star'. Rest in peace.

Casting for the entire Coppelia run: SF Ballet Premiere 
COPPÉLIA 
Choreography: Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine Opening Night 
Saturday, March 19, 2011, 8:00 PM
 Swanilda: Maria Kochetkova*
 Franz: Gennadi Nedvigin*
 Dr. Coppelius: Damian Smith* Sunday, March 20, 2011, 2:00 PM
 Swanilda: Vanessa Zahorian+
 Franz: Taras Domitro+
 Dr. Coppelius: Ricardo Bustamante*
 
Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 8:00 PM Swanilda: Vanessa Zahorian 
Franz: Taras Domitro
 Dr. Coppelius: Ricardo Bustamante 
Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 7:30 PM
 Swanilda: Frances Chung*
 Franz: Vitor Luiz+
 Dr. Coppelius: Damian Smith

 Thursday, March 24, 2011, 8:00 PM
 Swanilda: Vanessa Zahorian
 Franz: Joan Boada+
 Dr. Coppelius: Ricardo Bustamante
 
 Friday, March 25, 2011, 8:00 PM
 Swanilda: Maria Kochetkova
 Franz: Gennadi Nedvigin
 Dr. Coppelius: Damian Smith 

Saturday, March 26, 2011, 2:00 PM 
Swanilda: Frances Chung
 Franz: Vitor Luiz
 Dr. Coppelius: Damian Smith 
Saturday, March 26, 2011, 8:00 PM
 Swanilda: Vanessa Zahorian
 Franz: Joan Boada 
Dr. Coppelius: Ricardo Bustamante Sunday, March 27, 2011, 2:00 PM 
Swanilda: Maria Kochetkova
 Franz: Gennadi Nedvigin 
Dr. Coppelius: Damian Smith +premiere in this production * Denotes premiere in role. Casting subject to change.

Actually, the promos that I've seen were with Zahorian and Vitor Luiz (maybe Domitro was in something I missed). I'm hoping Luiz turns up with Chung; the two of them danced a good T&V together a couple of weeks ago. Also, I'm wondering if Artem Yachmennikov is going to show up as Franz. He's danced it before elsewhere (different production, of course), and I've been surprised that he doesn't seem to have been cast in anything since the opening night Giselle. Based on what I've seen of him (that opening Giselle and a Nutcracker GPdD last year), he's a pretty good actor, with good stage presence and plenty of floppy-haired charm (think a young Hugh Grant in tights...or maybe not). I have some reservations about his overall classical technique (turns seemed to be a problem in both performances, but maybe he was just having a couple of 'off' days), but I've been hoping to see/hear what he does with Franz.

This one is an attractive pdd and these two are terrific together in it. Unfortunately, it's probably unlikely that the original lighting/sets designs will be used, which is too bad; they add a lot to the atmosphere.

Casts for the first two performances are up (sorry, can't do links on the browser I'm using at work, but Helene has provided one above): SF Ballet Premiere COPPÉLIA Choreography: Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine PROGRAM 5 Opening Night Saturday, March 19, 2011, 8:00 PM Swanilda: Maria Kochetkova* Franz: Gennadi Nedvigin* Dr. Coppelius: Damian Smith* PROGRAM 5 Matinee Sunday, March 20, 2011, 2:00 PM Swanilda: Vanessa Zahorian+ Franz: Taras Domitro+ Dr. Coppelius: Ricardo Bustamante* +premiere in this production *Denotes premiere in role. Casting subject to change. I'm really glad to see Nedvigen getting an opening night; he's one of the unsung heros (heroes???) of the company. Zahorian/Domitro should be great -- they bring out the best in each other.

Just tried it here in California and got the message "not available in your area".

Here's a cute, 30-second promo showing Madison Keesler being made up as Coppelia. Coppelia promo

Saturday matinee My problem with Nana's Lied was that Nana's choreography didn't strike me as particularly interesting. Kochetkova was very good, but I suspect the role needs someone who seeps drama from her pores to make Nana anything more than a stock character. I'm going Friday night to see what our resident drama queen, Sarah Van Patten, does with it. Loved revisiting the vivid Classical Symphony; it's fluff, but it's cashmere fluff, and with that cast (the talented Steven Morse from the corps de ballet stands out every time he's on stage), it's great fun. As to Artifact Suite -- are you telling me there's a whole ballet that consists of an entire evening of this?????? Loved it, but really wish someone had warned me what was coming: I'd have worn a crash helmet. What I found fascinating was the contrast between Tan and Feijoo in the two pdd couples. These two dancers are so different physically and temperamentally that they might be different species. Tan is perfect for this: very long and lean, exceptionally flexible and extended (she elicited gasps when she did a couple of 'ten after the hour' extensions). Feijoo, by contrast, is rounder, far less flexible and with 'normal' extensions: not what you might consider to be ideal. But she brings a pulse to the choreography that Tan misses. Tan is gorgeous but Feijoo is intriguing: seeing her in the role again is the other reason I'm going back Friday. (Her plus the excellent corps de ballet. ) Nobody walked out that I saw, but while leaving after the performance, I heard a lot of comments along the lines of "...I never, ever want to see that again...".

Just got home from two Giselles (and a dead car battery) so not much time to comment, but some quick thoughts. Elana replaced Sophiane Sylve on Friday night, so presumably that's why Chung's Myrta debut was bumped up to today. Frances Chung -- the Debbie Reynolds of the ballet world -- and she absolutely aced the Queen of Mean. I hate to sound like some gushing teenage fan site, but magnificent pretty much covers it, especially the second act. When I first started watching the company four or five years ago, Van Patten struck me as stylistically and temperamentally best suited to contemporary works; then she came out with a beautiful Odette and today a glorious Giselle, and I think no small part of her success today was due to Helimets wonderful Albrecht. Amen to that. I also want to mention Isaac Hernandez in the Peasant pas de cinq. In a way, I don't think he's totally suited to this kind of bravura role -- not that he can't do it, but he has such elegance and dignity that he looks almost embarrassed for throwing off some spectacular jump or turn. Keep an eye on the SFB website for casting changes...Myrtha seems to be changing daily from what was posted here.

The rest of the Giselle casts. A couple of notable debuts as Myrtha: Frances Chung (Feb 10) and corp de ballet member Mariellen Olson (Feb 12 matinee). GISELLE Thursday, February 10, 2011, 8:00 PM Giselle: Maria Kochetkova Albrecht: Joan Boada Myrtha: Frances Chung* Saturday, February 12, 2011, 2:00 PM Giselle: Vanessa Zahorian Albrecht: Taras Domitro Myrtha: Mariellen Olson* Saturday, February 12, 2011, 8:00 PM Giselle: Yuan Yuan Tan Albrecht: Artem Yachmennikov Myrtha: Sofiane Sylve Sunday, February 13, 2011, 2:00 PM Giselle: Lorena Feijoo Albrecht: Vitor Luiz Myrtha: Elana Altman

The original casting didn't specify who would play Hilarion, but now a few are showing up: Jan 29 - Pascal Molat Jan 30, Feb 2 - Daniel Baker (about whom some very admiring comments have been made on Ballet Alert) Feb 1 - Ruben Martin Unfortunately, I can't insert links from work, so use the link above to keep up to date.

First few casts for Giselle. For me, the 'can't miss' casts are Van Patten/Heliments/Altman and Zahorian/Domitro/Sylve. Last month I saw Zahorian and Domitro in a Nutcracker Snow Queen/King and they turned it into something special - they spark off each other and their beautifully clean techniques are a terrific match. There are four more performances after the ones listed here; I hope Kochetkova turns up in one of them. GISELLE Opening Night
 Saturday Evening, January 29, 2011, 8:00 PM Giselle: Yuan Yuan Tan
 Albrecht: Artem Yachmennikov+
 Myrtha: Sofiane Sylve +premiere in Tomasson's production Sunday Matinee, January 30, 2011, 2:00 PM Giselle: Sarah Van Patten+
 Albrecht: Tiit Helimets
 Myrtha: Elana Altman +premiere in Tomasson's production Tuesday Evening
, February 01, 2011, 8:00PM 
Giselle: Vanessa Zahorian
 Albrecht: Taras Domitro+
 Myrtha: Sofiane Sylve +premiere in Tomasson's production 

Wednesday Evening, February 02, 2011, 7:30 PM 
Giselle: Sarah Van Patten
 Albrecht: Tiit Helimets
 Myrtha: Elana Altman Friday Evening
, February 04, 2011, 8:00 PM 
Giselle: Lorena Feijoo
 Albrecht: Vitor Luiz+
 Myrtha: Sofiane Sylve +premiere in Tomasson's production

Program and casts for the opening night gala, "La Belle Époque". Opening Night Gala Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 8pm 
THE VERTIGINOUS THRILL OF EXACTITUDE 
Choreography: William Forsythe 
Conductor: Martin West Frances Chung*, Charlene Cohen*, Nicole Ciapponi*, Jaime Garcia Castilla*, Pascal Molat* World Premiere
 DOUBLE STOP
 Choreography: Val Caniparoli
 Music: Tape Sarah Van Patten*, Tiit Helimets* RUSSIAN DIVERTISSEMENT from SWAN LAKE, ACT III
 Choreography: Helgi Tomasson after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
 Conductor: Martin West Dana Genshaft, Courtney Elizabeth, Hansuke Yamamoto, Garen Scribner EXCERPT FROM ALLES WALZER
 Choreography: Renato Zanella
 Conductor: Martin West Joan Boada*, Gennadi Nedvigin* BLACK SWAN PAS DE DEUX
 Choreography: Helgi Tomasson after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
 Conductor: Martin West 

Sofiane Sylve+, Vito Mazzeo+ -INTERMISSION- San Francisco Ballet Premiere
 NEUE PIZZICATO POLKA
 Choreography: John Neumeier 
Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian*, Jaime Garcia Castilla*, Taras Domitro* World Premiere
 TALK TO HER (hable con ella)
 Choreography: Yuri Possokhov
 Conductor: Martin West Casting: Lorena Feijoo*, Vitor Luiz* World Premiere
 SOMEWHERE IN TIME
 Choreography: Edwaard Liang 
Conductor: Martin West 
Piano: Roy Bogas Yuan Yuan Tan*, Damian Smith* PAS DE DEUX from DON QUIXOTE, ACT III
 Choreography: Alexander Gorsky and Marius Petipa
 Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Taras Domitro 4TH MOVEMENT & FINALE from SYMPHONY IN C
 Choreography: George Balanchine 
Conductor: Martin West

 1st Movement: Lorena Feijoo, Artem Yachmennikov 
2nd Movement: Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets
 3rd Movement: Frances Chung, Isaac Hernandez*
 4th Movement: Sarah Van Patten, Hansuke Yamamoto +Premiere in Tomasson's production * Denotes premiere in role

A short blog post by SFB Ballet Master Ricardo Bustamante about the newly promoted soloists. Not much information, but the pictures are nice.

Keep an eye out for 'encore' performances on different dates if Jan 19 isn't convenient. The venue near me isn't playing on the 19th, but on Jan 29 and 30. (Frustration...SFB's opening night is the 29th (Giselle!) and I've already got tickets to that and the performance on the 30th. Talk about great timing )

I especially enjoyed the photo at the bottom of the page with the heading “Natalie Portman & Boyfriend Benjamin Keep Distance At 'Black Swan' Photocall (PHOTOS) “, complete with yellow arrows pointing to the couple in question, demonstrating how far apart from each other they are standing (there’s one person between them). Never mind troop movements in [name your preferred war zone], let’s have a map of Nat and Benj. Good to know the news media have their priorities in order.

San Francisco Ballet - Promotions effective 1/5/11 I’ve read the ‘Rules’ and think it’s OK to post this, since the announcement is on SFB’s official Facebook Wall (whatever that is; just figured out Twitter; haven’t quite gotten the hang of Facebook yet ). My apologies if I misread and this is an illegal post. Of course, please delete if it is. Three very, very well deserved promotions from corps de ballet to soloist, effective January 5, 2011: Courtney Elizabeth Daniel Deivison-Oliveira (Here's a link to an Artist Spotlight interview with Deivison-Oliveira - select the Artist Spotlight tab and scroll down. Frankly, I don't think the videos here do him justice; he has a beautiful movement quality that doesn't really show up in these clips.) Isaac Hernández All three are still listed under the Corps de Ballet, so check back for full soloist bios at a later date. Congratulations to all. :flowers: