sf_herminator

An interview with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa has been posted on the company's YouTube channel: On another note, I attended last night's Opening Gala (it was fabulous, will try to post a brief blurb in the gala topic). Before the second half began, Helgi came out to talk briefly about Unbound: A Festival of New Works. The following video was also shown:

IG post by Frances:

Casting for the gala performance has been posted (https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting): OPENING NIGHT GALA Thursday, January 18, 2018 - 8 pm LITTLE WALTZ Composer: Eric Coates Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson Students of San Francisco Ballet School IN THE NIGHT Composer: Frédéric Chopin Choreographer: Jerome Robbins Mathilde Froustey, Benjamin Freemantle* Jennifer Stahl, Tiit Helimets Sarah Van Patten, Luke Ingham Bluebird Pas de Deux from THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson after Marius Petipa Dores André, Wei Wang* SF Ballet Premiere Pas de Deux from CHILDREN OF CHAOS Composer: John Kameel Farah Choreographer: Robert Binet Frances Chung, Joseph Walsh STARS AND STRIPES Pas de Deux Composer: John Philip Sousa Choreographer: George Balanchine Ana Sophia Scheller*, Vitor Luiz* INTERMISSION SF Ballet Premiere LETTING GO Composer: Max Richter Choreographer: Edwaard Liang Yuan Yuan Tan, Carlo Di Lanno* Pas de Deux from LA SYLPHIDE Composer: Herman Lovenskjold Choreography: August Bournonville Maria Kochetkova, Ulrik Birkkjaer LE CORSAIRE Pas de Deux Composer: Riccardo Drigo Choreography: after Marius Petipa Sasha De Sola, Angelo Greco SF Ballet Premiere RODEO: FOUR DANCE EPISODES Composer: Aaron Copland Choreographer: Justin Peck Sofiane Sylve*, Carlo Di Lanno* Initial reactions: *how wonderful to have two full pieces: Robbins' In The Night and Peck's Rodeo. Bravo to Ben Freemantle debuting in the Night's opening Pas De Deux partnering Mathilde Froustey. And how great to see Rodeo before its inclusion in Program 2. *Great to see a new (to SFB) choreographer - Robert Binet. IIRC Frances and/or Joe posted pic on Instagram when they were working with the choreographer, I'll have to go look. Not sure if I will be able to go to the performance as I will be volunteering at both the dinner and the after party as a member of BRAVO.

Saw SF Ballet's Instagram posts: https://www.instagram.com/p/BdlIkXGlJhT/?taken-by=sfballet https://www.instagram.com/p/BdlIiBJlbhk/?taken-by=sfballet https://www.instagram.com/p/BdlIg63lz_s/?taken-by=sfballet Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/sfballet/photos/a.209483166292.171774.27923251292/10155711648506293/?type=3&theater Pointe Magazine link: http://www.pointemagazine.com/grand-rapids-ballet-new-director-2522527761.html Of course I am sad to see Jim leave, but this is always inevitable. Thankful for his many memorable performances and excited for this new opportunity. Congratulations Jim!!

Principal Dancer Angelo Greco has been named by Dance Magazine as one of the 25 to watch in 2018: Link to Angelo: http://www.dancemagazine.com/25-to-watch-angelo-greco-2513585195.html?version=15689707&draft=1 Link to the full list: http://www.dancemagazine.com/25-to-watch-2018-2515449573.html Definitely a well-deserved honor. He arrived with a splash last year, joining as a Soloist and promoted to Principal after the first two programs last season. Wonderful performances in Nutcracker, Ratmansky's Seven Sonatas, Scarlett's Frankenstein, and Balanchine's Prodigal Son are among many fine moments last season.

More additional casting for 12/26 & 12/27: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Jennifer Stahl, Tiit Helimets Sugar Plum Fairy: Jahna Frantziskonis Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Dores André, Luke Ingham Sugar Plum Fairy: Sofiane Sylve Grand Pas de Deux: WanTing Zhao, Ulrik Birkkjaer Wednesday, December 27, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Sugar Plum Fairy: Mathilde Froustey Grand Pas de Deux: Ana Sophia Scheller, Angelo Greco Wednesday, December 27, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha De Sola, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Dores André Grand Pas de Deux: Maria Kochetkova, Joseph Walsh No debuts, but a new pairing: Wan-TIng Zhao & Ulrik Birkkjaer in the Grand PDD on Tue evening. So sorry I won't get to see it.

I've seen 2.5 performances so far: I saw Sat evening, Sun evening, and Act 1 only last night. FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a member of the ballet's volunteer organization. During the Nutcracker run, I will work in the gift shop for 4 performances, plus the selfie booth at last night's performance (hence only seeing the first act last night and went home after intermission). Overall the company looks wonderful (not surprisingly). I did see Scheller and Greco on Saturday night and they were wonderful. It makes me excited for Sleeping Beauty and to seeing Scheller in other performances this coming season.

From Pointe Magazine: http://www.pointemagazine.com/standouts-2017-sfb-strongin-cauthorn-2515975370.html Amazing to read that Max only learned the lead role in a short amount of time. Max debuted as the Nutcracker Prince in the Sunday matinee (which I didn't catch). I have seen Lauren in a variety of roles since she joined and am impressed each time. Congratulations to both!!!

Additional casting 12/21-12/24: Thursday, December 21, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Stuart Chafetz Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Koto Ishihara, Hansuke Yamamoto Sugar Plum Fairy: Frances Chung Grand Pas de Deux: Sarah Van Patten, Ulrik Birkkjaer Thursday, December 21, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Maria Kochetkova, Joseph Walsh Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets Friday, December 22, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Stuart Chafetz Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha De Sola, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Koto Ishihara* Grand Pas de Deux: Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham Friday, December 22, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Lauren Strongin, Wei Wang Sugar Plum Fairy: Sarah Van Patten Grand Pas de Deux: Maria Kochetkova, Joseph Walsh Saturday, December 23, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Sarah Van Patten, Ulrik Birkkjaer Sugar Plum Fairy: Dores André Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Saturday, December 23, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Stuart Chafetz Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Yuan Yuan Tan, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Sofiane Sylve Grand Pas de Deux: Ana Sophia Scheller, Angelo Greco Sunday, December 24, 2017 - 11 am Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Stuart Chafetz Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Sugar Plum Fairy: Maria Kochetkova Grand Pas de Deux: Jennifer Stahl*, Tiit Helimets Sunday, December 24, 2017 - 4 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Mathilde Froustey, Jaime Garcia Castilla Sugar Plum Fairy: Ana Sophia Scheller Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola, Carlo Di Lanno Notable debuts: Koto Ishihara as Sugar Plum Fairy, Jennifer Stahl in Grand PDD Notable pairing: Mathilde Froustey & Jaime Garcia Castilla as Queen & King of the Snow on the 4 PM Christmas Eve performance. I don't think I have ever seen them dance together.

Soloist Wei Wang interviewed on Asian Pacific America talking about Nutcracker along with a brief clip of him in the solo in the Grand PDD: Facebook link on SFB page: https://www.facebook.com/sfballet/posts/10155664358091293 NBC Bay Area link: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Nutcracker-at-San-Francisco-Ballet_Bay-Area-463779783.html On a side note: I had the opportunity to see his debut as the Nutcracker Prince last year and see him last night as the King of the Snow. I remember the first time I saw him in Chinese when he was still an Apprentice and it has been wonderful to see his rise in the company.

Awesome!! Can't wait for your report!!

Yes, I was very happy to see the other dancers in his piece as he only showed Yuan Yuan & Vitor in their PDD during the first Unbound webcast. Also, after hearing Edwaard's inspiration for the piece I am even more excited to see the final work.

A video of Edwaard LIang discussing his Unbound work The Infinite Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uce4M-9RCVU The Unbound page (https://www.sfballet.org/unbound) hasn't been updated, but should be soon.

Casting is up for opening night on Wednesday 12/13 (https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting): NUTCRACKER Wednesday, December 13, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Maria Kochetkova, Joseph Walsh

In addition to now dancing with Diablo Ballet Jordan Hammond Tilton is also now a member of the faculty: https://www.sfballet.org/school/about/faculty/jordan_hammond-tilton. During the fall session, she taught the Beginning/Intermediate Adult Drop-in class on Monday evening and Sunday afternoons. I had the pleasure of taking her class yesterday and she is a really wonderful instructor. Very positive energy and explained things really well, had a pleasant way of making corrections, encouraged questions, and made the class fun!! I hope to take her class again soon. Unfortunately, she will not be teaching next Sunday as she will be performing (but didn't get the info - sorry folks).

Moises's IG account is private and I can't find him anywhere on the Atlanta Ballet website. However, Ruben tagged Moises in this post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb-H4jTHz6T/?taken-by=rubenmartincintas Would love to know what Moises is doing....

From Dance Magazine: A Q&A with Muriel Maffre shortly after she was named CEO of Alonzo King Lines Ballet: http://www.dancemagazine.com/ballerina-to-ceo-muriel-maffre-2513788955.html

This was announced a few weeks ago, but hasn't been posted here yet. Former Principal Dancer Muriel Maffre has been named Chief Executive Officer of Alonzo King Lines Ballet: https://media.linesballet.org/uploads/news/Muriel_Maffre_Announcement.pdf?_ga=2.66994285.2106830677.1511162770-1523356891.1502409511

The programs for Unbound: A Festival of New Works have been announced: Program A: Alonzo King, Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck https://www.sfballet.org/season/2018-repertory/2018-unbound-a Program B; Myles Thatcher, Cathy Marston, David Dawson https://www.sfballet.org/season/2018-repertory/2018-unbound-b Program C: Stanton Welch, Trey McIntyre, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa https://www.sfballet.org/season/2018-repertory/2018-unbound-c Program D: Edwaard Liang, Dwight Rhoden, Arthur Pita https://www.sfballet.org/season/2018-repertory/2018-unbound-d More information: https://www.sfballet.org/unbound#schedule

As mentioned in this article from May http://www.sfchronicle.com/performance/article/Feijoo-taking-her-final-steps-at-SF-Ballet-11065862.php, Lorena will be working with SF Opera. First, she will be dancing in La Traviata. Following that, she will debut as Lola Montez in John Adams' Girls of the Golden West. Casting is up for La Traviata https://sfopera.com/1718season/201718-season/traviata/, and Lorena is listed as a solo dancer. She even has a bio page: https://sfopera.com/about-us/people/bios/artists/lorena-feijoo/. Here is the info for Girls of the Golden West, including casting: https://sfopera.com/1718season/201718-season/goldenwest/. I will definitely try to see La Traviata some time during the run, and also looking forward to Girls of the Golden West.

SFB was just live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sfballet/videos/10155389031686293/ Jennifer (host of the prior Unbound webcasts) briefly talks with Joseph Walsh and Lonnie Weeks (who were in the last webcast working on the pieces by Justin Peck & Christopher Wheeldon) plus Benjamin Freemantle (who is working with Trey McIntyre).

Justin Peck posted a little preview of his piece on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BX5zA1fH5Pc/?hl=en&taken-by=justin_peck

For the second round of Unbound, Myles Thatcher is now listed as the third choreographer: https://www.facebook.com/events/942197712585438/?acontext={"ref"%3A"2"%2C"ref_dashboard_filter"%3A"upcoming"%2C"action_history"%3A"[{\"surface\"%3A\"dashboard\"%2C\"mechanism\"%3A\"main_list\"%2C\"extra_data\"%3A[]}]"} https://www.instagram.com/p/BXVwKLTFS6P/?taken-by=sfballet Christopher Wheeldon and Justin Peck have been posting on Instagram while here in SF (unfortunately, no peeks at what they have been working on): https://www.instagram.com/p/BXeN-TSB5ZF/?taken-by=wheeldony https://www.instagram.com/p/BXeRq-NAWFx/?taken-by=justin_peck

The next 3 choreographers who will start to create their pieces and be part of the August 18 broadcast: Alonzo King, Justin Peck and Christopher Wheeldon. https://www.sfballet.org/season/events/unbound-2018/unbound-live. Edwaard Liang posted this pic on Instagram (link here is from FB): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156560442074478&set=p.10156560442074478&type=3&theater Yesterday's broadcast was also posted on SFB's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTHLx-97iDo

I just finished watching the first Unbound webcast. At the end, the host stated the entire program will be posted to the SFB website soon and will be available for 60 days. Of course, most people would like to know about the pieces. I will list the choreographer, music, and dancers rehearsing the piece. Stanton Welch - Music is two violin concertos by Bach. The section was for five men: Angelo Greco, Esteban Hernandez, Lonnie Weeks, Ben Freemantle, and (I think) Alexandre Cagnat. Edwaard LIang - A commissioned score by and English composer (don't remember the name). He only received the complete score the week before he started rehearsals. He rehearsed a PDD with Yuan Yuan Tan and Vitor Luiz. Arthur PIta - Recorded music by Bjork. He rehearsed a section with many dancers which transitioned into a solo by Maria Kochetkova. Each choreographer talked a bit about the section we would see, talk to the dancers, and then the dancers would start. Afterward, the choreographer gave some feedback, then answered some questions the host had from social media. I am most excited by Arthur Pita's piece. In the interview he really wanted to embrace the Unbound theme and has always admired Bjork. I think just like the piece he created this year (Salome), people will either love it or hate it. The next Unbound webcast will be on August 8th (per SFB comments on FB). I don't think they have stated who the choreographers will be.