sf_herminator

Here's the link to the Press Release, which includes the full program. https://www.sfballet.org/discover/press-center/press-releases/release/san-francisco-ballet-presents-the-87th-repertory-season-opening-night-gala-spellbound-on-thursday-january-16-2020/

Vladislav Kozlov sighting: He was in the party scene at the Wednesday 7 PM performance. He was one of the parents. Casting is now up for the remainder of the Nutcracker run: https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/ One dancer I've noticed missing (although she was listed in the first week): Wan Ting Zhao. Another debut listed (but now gone from the site as it was this afternoon): Myles Thatcher & Miranda Silveira as King & Queen of the Snow. Hopefully someone went and can provide a report.

Casting is now up for the second week of Nutcracker through Sunday 12/22. Although not noted as debuts, I note the following: Misa Kuranaga will debut Sugar Plum Fairy at the Friday 12/20 2 PM performance. Cavan Conley will debut King of the Snow at the Saturday 12/21 7 PM performance (with Julia Rowe as Queen of the Snow Also there are two pairs I don't think I have seen dance together: Jahna Frantziskonis & Wei Wang as Queen & King of the Snow on Saturday 12/21 at 2 PM Elizabeth Powell & Mingxuan Wang as Queen & King of the Snow on Sunday 12/15 at 7 PM

Casting is up for Sunday 12/15. New Soloist Sasha Mukhamedov will dance the Grand Pas with Tiit Helimets at the 2 PM performance - https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/#sun-dec-15-200-pm. In the evening performance, Madison Keesler will debut as Queen of the Snow with Benjamin Freemantle as the King. https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/#sun-dec-15-700-pm

Frances Chung, also returning from maternity leave, will be dancing the Grand Pas De Deux on Saturday 12/14 in the evening performance. Her Nutcracker Prince is Joseph Walsh. Sarah Van Patten is dancing on Saturday afternoon with Luke Ingham as her Nutcracker Prince.

First week of casting is up: https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/#wed-dec-11-700-pm The new site format only will display one performance at a time, but here are some of the notable debuts this week: Principal Dancer Misa Kuranaga in the Grand Pas with Angelo Greco on Thursday 12/12 at 7:00 PM Corps Dancers Thamires Chuvas and Esteban Cuadrado as Snow Queen & King on Friday 12/13 at 2:00 PM Soloist Wona Park as Queen of the Snow with Joseph Walsh on Friday 12/13 at 7:00 PM Principal Dancer Benjamin Freemantle as Nutcracker Prince on Friday 12/13 at 7:00 PM Soloist Lonnie Weeks as King of the Snow with Elizabeth Powell on Saturday 12/14 at 2:00 PM Opening Night Cast Wednesday 12/11 at 7:00 PM Drosselmeyer: Tiit Helimets Queen and King of the Snow: Yuan Yuan Tan, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham

Just checked the casting on the website. Misa & Angelo will now dance on opening night. Joe will still be dancing Mercutio on opening night as well as Friday night. Carlo is still listed for Friday with Mathilde. https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/ CASTING FOR UPCOMING PERFORMANCES IS ANNOUNCED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE ROYAL DANISH OPERA HOUSE Ekvipagemestervej 10, 1438 København K, Denmark October 30–November 2 Learn More CASTING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 8:00 PM Romeo: Angelo Greco Juliet: Misa Kuranaga Mercutio: Joseph Walsh Benvolio: Max Cauthorn Tybalt: Luke Ingham THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 8:00 PM Romeo: Joseph Walsh Juliet: Mathilde Froustey Mercutio: Esteban Hernandez Benvolio: Hansuke Yamamoto Tybalt: Daniel Deivison-Oliveira FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 8:00 PM Romeo: Carlo Di Lanno Juliet: Mathilde Froustey Mercutio: Joseph Walsh Benvolio: Max Cauthorn Tybalt: Luke Ingham SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2019 1:00 PM Romeo: Angelo Greco Juliet: Misa Kuranaga Mercutio: Esteban Hernandez Benvolio: Hansuke Yamamoto Tybalt: Daniel Deivison-Oliveira

Livestream of Agon rehearsal starting shortly: https://www.pnb.org/live/?fbclid=IwAR1ieU9hkzUhwOZ1HPvdppa-SxzTTtlzHwwoiLOL01jQuo9oeKyg9GPdgC8

Program for SFB's Stern Grove performance has been posted (https://www.sfballet.org/season/tour#sterngrove) Stern Grove 19th Ave & Sloat Blvd, San Francisco July 28 Learn More A summer favorite returns when San Francisco Ballet, under the leadership of Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson, performs a selection of highlights from their current repertory at Stern Grove Festival. Conductor Martin West leads the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. Scotch Symphony Composer: Felix Mendelssohn Choreographer: George Balanchine Diving Into the Lilacs Excerpt Composer: Boris Tchaikovsky Choreographer: Yuri Possokhov The Sleeping Beauty Pas de Deux Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson, after Marius Petipa Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming Composers: Anthony Gonzalez, Yann Gonzalez, Bradley Laner, and Justin Meldal-Johnsen Choreographer: Justin Peck

Misa Kuranaga posted on her Instagram:

Here’s a link from Pointe Magazine: https://www.pointemagazine.com/misa-kuranaga-and-sasha-mukhamedov-are-joining-san-francisco-ballet-2638908613.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1. Glad to see in the article all of last year’s apprentices are now in the corps - although currently they are still listed under apprentices on the website. Should be updated soon.

I was there and wholeheartedly agree. But, her name is actually Zoe Lucich (and her name was spelled correctly towards the end of the article). It also mentions her mother - former SFB Principal Dancer Julia Adam.

Congratulations to WanTing and Ben!! Well deserved!! Social Media Posts FB: IG - Wan Ting IG - Ben

Casting for Saturday Matinee & Evening performances is now up: https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting Casting is subject to change. Saturday, May 11, 2019 – 2:00 pm Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky Music: Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony #9 Conductor: Ming Luke Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham Dores Andre, Max Cauthorn Lonnie Weeks Chamber Symphony Conductor: Ming Luke Joseph Walsh Jahna Frantziskonis Elizabeth Powell Sasha De Sola Piano Concerto #1 Conductor: Ming Luke Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad Trumpet: Adam Luftman WanTing Zhao, Vladislav Kozlov Isabella DeVivo, Wei Wang Debuts: Symphony #9 - Max Cauthorn, Lonnie Weeks; Chamber Symphony - Elizabeth Powell; Piano Concerto #1 - WanTing Zhao, Vladislav Kozlov, Wei Wang Saturday, May 11, 2019 – 8:00 pm Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky Music: Dmitri Shostakovich Conductor: Martin West Symphony #9 Jennifer Stahl, Aaron Robison Dores Andre, Joseph Walsh Wei Wang Chamber Symphony Ulrik Birkkjaer Sasha De Sola Mathilde Froustey Yuan Yuan Tan Piano Concerto #1 Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad Trumpet: Adam Luftman Sofiane Sylve, Carlo Di Lanno Wona Park, Angelo Greco

Casting for Thursday & Friday is up: https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting Casting is subject to change. Thursday, May 9, 2019 – 7:30 pm Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky Music: Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony #9 Conductor: Ming Luke Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham Sasha De Sola, Esteban Hernandez Hansuke Yamamoto Chamber Symphony Conductor: Martin West Aaron Robison Jahna Frantziskonis Dores Andre Jennifer Stahl Piano Concerto #1 Conductor: Martin West Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad Trumpet: Adam Luftman Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets Isabella Devivo, Vitor Luiz Friday, May 10, 2019 – 8:00 pm Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky Music: Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony #9 Conductor: Martin West Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham Sasha De Sola, Esteban Hernandez Hansuke Yamamoto Chamber Symphony Conductor: Ming Luke Aaron Robison Jahna Frantziskonis Dores Andre Jennifer Stahl Piano Concerto #1 Conductor: Ming Luke Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad Trumpet: Adam Luftman Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets Isabella DeVivo, Vitor Luiz Debuts: Symphony #9: Sasha, Esteban Chamber Symphony: Aaron, Jahna, Jennifer Piano Concerto: Isabella

For Bay Area Dance Week, San Francisco Ballet will once again have Fan Fest 10 AM - 2 PM and Company Class Observation 12 Noon-1 PM. Both are free. If you wish to attend the Company Class Observation (which will be on the stage of the War Memorial Opera House) you need to sign up. Here is the link for more information: https://bayareadance.org/event-details/?e_id=98.

Posting for opening night is up: https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting Casting is subject to change SHOSTAKOVICH TRILOGY Tuesday, May 7, 2019 – 7:30 pm Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky Music: Dmitri Shostakovich Conductor: Martin West Symphony #9 Jennifer Stahl, Aaron Robison Dores Andre, Joseph Walsh Wei Wang Chamber Symphony Ulrik Birkkjaer Sasha De Sola Mathilde Froustey Yuan Yuan Tan Piano Concerto #1 Sofiane Sylve, Carlo Di Lanno Wona Park, Angelo Greco Since role and work debuts are not denoted, I will go from memory. This will be the first time in Shostakovich Trilogy for Aaron Robison, Ulrik Birkkjaer, Wona Park, and Angelo Greco. Dores Andre, Joseph Walsh, and Wei Wang are debuting new roles in Symphony #9. Dores (IIRC) was one of the three women in Chamber Symphony, Joseph Walsh danced the lead in Chamber Symphony, and Wei Wang was in the corps of Piano Concerto #1. Yuan Yuan Tan is debuting in Chamber Symphony. Previously she danced one of the principal women in Piano Concerto #1. I will check my cast sheets later and make updates if needed.

Casting for the final performance of The Little Mermaid is now posted: https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting Sunday, April 28, 2019 – 2:00 pmChoreography: John NeumeierMusic: Lera AuerbachConductor: Martin WestThe Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan TanPrince / Edvard: Aaron RobisonPoet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik BirkkjaerPrincess / Henriette: Sasha De SolaSea Witch: Wei Wang I suspected Yuan Yuan would get the last show. But if I am being honest, I was hoping for Tiit Helimets to dance the Poet. This is nothing against Ulrik, as I like him a lot as well and am looking forward to tonight's performance. But I would really like to see Yuan Yuan and Tiit dance together in a story ballet before the end of their SFB careers, which we do not know when it will be but..... I thought it might be possible since Nathaniel Remez will be dancing as the Poet in both Saturday performances. I also think it would be unique to have Tiit dance The Poet to Yuan Yuan's Mermaid because the last time SFB did The Little Mermaid, Tiit was The Prince.

Casting for performances of The Little Mermaid through Saturday 4/27has been posted: https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting Casting is subject to change THE LITTLE MERMAID Friday, April 19, 2019 – 8:00 pm The Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan Tan Prince / Edvard: Aaron Robison†* Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik Birkkjaer†* Princess / Henriette: Sasha De Sola* Sea Witch: Wei Wang†* Saturday, April 20, 2019 – 2:00 pmThe Little Mermaid: WanTing Zhao†*Prince / Edvard: Luke Ingham†*Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Tiit HelimetsPrincess / Henriette: Dores Andre*Sea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle†* Saturday April 20, 2019 – 8:00 pmThe Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan TanPrince / Edvard: Aaron RobisonPoet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik BirkkjaerPrincess / Henriette: Sasha De SolaSea Witch: Wei Wang Tuesday, April 23, 2019 – 7:30 pmThe Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan TanPrince / Edvard: Aaron RobisonPoet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik BirkkjaerPrincess / Henriette: Sasha De SolaSea Witch: Wei Wang Wednesday, April 24, 2019 – 7:30 pmThe Little Mermaid: WanTing ZhaoPrince / Edvard: Luke InghamPoet / Hans Christian Andersen: Tiit HelimetsPrincess / Henriette: Dores AndreSea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle Thursday, April 25, 2019 – 7:30 pmThe Little Mermaid: Mathilde FrousteyPrince / Edvard: Carlo Di LannoPoet / Hans Christian Andersen: Nathaniel RemezPrincess / Henriette: Madison KeeslerSea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle Saturday, April 27, 2019 – 2:00 pmThe Little Mermaid: Mathilde FrousteyPrince / Edvard: Carlo Di LannoPoet / Hans Christian Andersen: Nathaniel RemezPrincess / Henriette: Madison KeeslerSea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle Saturday, April 27, 2019 – 8:00 pmThe Little Mermaid: WanTing ZhaoPrince / Edvard: Luke InghamPoet / Hans Christian Andersen: Nathaniel RemezPrincess / Henriette: Madison KeeslerSea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle

ABT will be premiering Ratmansky's The Seasons in May as part of the Ratmansky Trio program. The programs consists of three short pieces choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky: Songs of Bukovina, On The Dniper, and The Seasons. Here is the link: https://www.abt.org/event_dates/ratmansky-trio-5-21-19-730pm/

Initial reactions: Excited for A Midsummer Night's Dream. I don't recall this ever being done, at least since I began attending SFB in 2001 Excited for the return of Jewels!!! Excited for the return of Morris's Sandpaper Ballet. I think this may be the 20th anniversary of the piece. Happy for new commissions from Trey McIntyre & Cathy Marston - what music will Mr. McIntyre choose and what literary work will Ms. Marston adapt??? Happy for a new Ratmansky piece Finally get to see Anima Animus and The Infinite Ocean again, along with Bespoke. As these are being performed in London, I expected to see them - along with Scarlett's Hummingbird Disappointed not to see Scarlett's Die Toteninsel - or maybe that is the 'Work to be Announced' on Program 6?

Carlos Quenedit will be joining Miami City Ballet for the 2019-2020 season, where he danced as a Soloist in 2009: https://www.miamicityballet.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FINAL-2019-20-MCB-Company-Roster-Announcement-04-16-19.pdf

FB post: IG posts Congratulations to Esteban, Madison, and Cavan on their well-deserved promotions!!!

Also: Sea Witch: Wei Wang Casting is subject to change. https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting