sf_herminator

Helene, liebs, carbro, nijinsky1979, and kfw - Thank you all for your advice. I am going to get a ticket for Second Ring, but will wait until Sunday or Monday to buy online. If I buy now, the ticket will be mailed (tickets are mailed if the performance is more than 7 days in advance but held at the box office if less than 7 days) - but I fly from SFO to the East Coast on Sunday.

kfw - that was the article I had seen, thank you. Good to have for future reference.

Helene - The comparison to the Opera House was especially helpful. I have seen SFB perform Afternoon of a Faun and The Concert. The Concert is one of my Top 5 ballets, so I am looking forward to seeing NYCB's performance.

I will try to post my thoughts on the performance. Thanks again everyone!!!

I will be visiting New York next weekend and would like to attend the All Robbins program on Saturday 5/21 at 8 PM. As this is my first time to see NYCB and the Koch Theater I have some questions:

1) Where should I sit? I do not mind paying a lot, but not sure where. I am thinking about Second or Third Ring. Unfortunately I could not find anything on the website where you could see what the view is from the various sections. Awhile back there was an article about seating, but I can't find it.

2) Would it be better to buy the ticket online or calling the box office before I come into town or should I go directly to the box office on Friday morning/afternoon?

Any advice is appreciated - thank you in advance.

I'll wait for a program 7 thread to post my impressions, but it was pretty disappointing, too.

I've started a Program 7 thread - looking forward to reading your thoughts.

Casting for all performances of Program 7 (http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp)

PROGRAM 7 Opening Night

Friday, April 08, 2011, 8:00 PM

PETROUCHKA

Choreographer: Michel Fokine

Composer: Igor Stravinsky

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Petrouchka: Pascal Molat

Ballerina: Clara Blanco

Moor: Daniel Deivison-Oliveira

INTERMISSION

UNDERSKIN

Choreographer: Renato Zanella

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Sofiane Sylve

Yuan Yuan Tan, Lorena Feijoo, Frances Chung

Vitor Luiz, Pascal Molat, Gennadi Nedvigin

INTERMISSION

World Premiere

NUMBER NINE

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: Michael Torke

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Frances Chung*, Pascal Molat*

Maria Kochetkova*, Gennadi Nedvigin*

Yuan Yuan Tan*, Ruben Martin Cintas*

Lorena Feijoo*, Vitor Luiz*

PROGRAM 7 Matinee

Sunday, April 10, 2011, 2:00 PM

PETROUCHKA

Choreographer: Michel Fokine

Composer: Igor Stravinsky

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Petrouchka: Gennadi Nedivigin

Ballerina: Dores Andre*

Moor: Quinn Wharton*

INTERMISSION

UNDERSKIN

Choreographer: Renato Zanella

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Elana Altman

Sarah Van Patten*, Maria Kochetkova, Courtney Elizabeth

Anthony Spaulding, Pascal Molat, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NUMBER NINE

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: Michael Torke

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Frances Chung, Pascal Molat

Maria Kochetkova, Gennadi Nedvigin

Yuan Yuan Tan, Ruben Martin Cintas

Lorena Feijoo, Vitor Luiz

PROGRAM 7 Evening

Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 7:30 PM

PETROUCHKA

Choreographer: Michel Fokine

Composer: Igor Stravinsky

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Petrouchka:Gennadi Nedivigin

Ballerina: Dores Andre*

Moor: Gaetano Amico*

INTERMISSION

UNDERSKIN

Choreographer: Renato Zanella

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Elana Altman

Sarah Van Patten, Maria Kochetkova, Courtney Elizabeth

Anthony Spaulding, Pascal Molat, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NUMBER NINE

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: Michael Torke

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Frances Chung, Pascal Molat

Maria Kochetkova, Gennadi Nedvigin

Yuan Yuan Tan, Ruben Martin Cintas

Lorena Feijoo, Vitor Luiz

PROGRAM 7 Evening

Thursday, April 14, 2011, 8:00 PM

PETROUCHKA

Choreographer: Michel Fokine

Composer: Igor Stravinsky

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Petrouchka: Pascal Molat

Ballerina: Clara Blanco

Moor: Daniel Deivison-Oliveira

INTERMISSION

UNDERSKIN

Choreographer: Renato Zanella

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Sofiane Sylve

Yuan Yuan Tan, Lorena Feijoo, Frances Chung

Vitor Luiz, Pascal Molat, Gennadi Nedvigin

INTERMISSION

NUMBER NINE

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: Michael Torke

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Clara Blanco, Jaime Garcia Castilla

Vanessa Zahorian, Garen Scribner

Sarah Van Patten, Ruben Martin Cintas

Lorena Feijoo, Vitor Luiz

PROGRAM 7 Matinee

Saturday, April 16, 2011, 2:00 PM

PETROUCHKA

Choreographer: Michel Fokine

Composer: Igor Stravinsky

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Petrouchka:James Sofranko*

Ballerina: Dores Andre

Moor: Gaetano Amico

INTERMISSION

UNDERSKIN

Choreographer: Renato Zanella

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Jennifer Stahl

Sarah Van Patten, Maria Kochetkova, Courtney Elizabeth

Anthony Spaulding, Pascal Molat, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NUMBER NINE

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: Michael Torke

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Clara Blanco* Jaime Garcia Castilla*

Vanessa Zahorian*, Garen Scribner*

Sarah Van Patten*, Ruben Martin Cintas

Elana Altman*, Vito Mazzeo*

PROGRAM 7 Evening

Saturday, April 16, 2011, 8:00 PM

PETROUCHKA

Choreographer: Michel Fokine

Composer: Igor Stravinsky

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Petrouchka: Gennadi Nedvigin

Ballerina: Clara Blanco

Moor: Daniel Deivison-Oliveira

INTERMISSION

UNDERSKIN

Choreographer: Renato Zanella

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Sofiane Sylve

Yuan Yuan Tan, Lorena Feijoo, Courtney Elizabeth

Vitor Luiz, Pascal Molat, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NUMBER NINE

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: Michael Torke

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Frances Chung, Pascal Molat

Maria Kochetkova, Gennadi Nedvigin

Yuan Yuan Tan, Ruben Martin Cintas

Lorena Feijoo, Vitor Luiz

Program 7 Evening

Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 8:00 PM

PETROUCHKA

Choreographer: Michel Fokine

Composer: Igor Stravinsky

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Petrouchka: Gennadi Nedvigin

Ballerina: Elizabeth Miner

Moor: Quinn Wharton

INTERMISSION

UNDERSKIN

Choreographer: Renato Zanella

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Sofiane Sylve

Sarah Van Patten, Maria Kochetkova, Courtney Elizabeth

Anthony Spaulding, Pascal Molat, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NUMBER NINE

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: Michael Torke

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Clara Blanco, Jaime Garcia Castilla

Vanessa Zahorian, Garen Scribner

Sarah Van Patten, Ruben Martin Cintas

Elana Altman, Vito Mazzeo

* Denotes premiere in role.

Casting subject to change.

Casting for the first 4 performances of Program 6 (http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp#43681122)

PROGRAM 6 Opening Night

Thursday, April 07, 2011, 8:00 PM

GHOSTS

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: C.F. Kip Winger

Conductor: Martin West

Maria Kochetkova, Vitor Luiz

Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets, Quinn Wharton*

INTERMISSION

7 FOR EIGHT

Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Conductor: Martin West

Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets

Vanessa Zahorian, Gennadi Nedvigin

Dores Andre, Joan Boada

Elizabeth Miner, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

SF Ballet Premiere

CHROMA

Choreographer: Wayne McGregor

Composer: Joby Talbot, Jack White III

Conductor: Martin West

Maria Kochetkova*, Jaime Garcia Castilla*

Frances Chung*, Pascal Molat*

Yuan Yuan Tan*, Taras Domitro*

Dana Genshaft*, Anthony Spaulding*

Isaac Hernandez*, Garen Scribner*

PROGRAM 6 Matinee

Saturday, April 09, 2011, 2:00 PM

7 FOR EIGHT

Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Conductor: Martin West

Sarah Van Patten*, Tiit Helimets

Nicole Ciapponi*, Hansuke Yamamoto*

Clara Blanco, Vitor Luiz*

Koto Ishihara*, Lonnie Weeks*

INTERMISSION

GHOSTS

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: C.F. Kip Winger

Conductor: Martin West

Yuan Yuan Tan, Damian Smith

Lorena Feijoo, Ruben Martin Cintas*, Vitor Luiz

INTERMISSION

CHROMA

Choreographer: Wayne McGregor

Composer: Joby Talbot, Jack White III

Conductor: Martin West

Sofiane Sylve*, Vito Mazzeo*

Lorena Feijoo*, James Sofranko*

Vanessa Zahorian*, Tiit Helimets*

Sarah Van Patten*, Daniel Deivison-Oliveira*

Lonnie Weeks*, Luke Willis*

PROGRAM 6 Evening

Saturday, April 09, 2011, 8:00 PM

7 FOR EIGHT

Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Conductor: Martin West

Yuan Yuan Tan, Damian Smith

Vanessa Zahorian, Gennadi Nedvigin

Dores Andre, Joan Boada

Elizabeth Miner, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

GHOSTS

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: C.F. Kip Winger

Conductor: Martin West

Maria Kochetkova, Vitor Luiz

Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets, Quinn Wharton

INTERMISSION

CHROMA

Choreographer: Wayne McGregor

Composer: Joby Talbot, Jack White III

Conductor: Martin West

Maria Kochetkova, Jaime Garcia Castilla

Frances Chung, Pascal Molat

Yuan Yuan Tan, Taras Domitro

Dana Genshaft, Anthony Spaulding

Isaac Hernandez, Garen Scribner

PROGRAM 6 Evening

Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 8:00 PM

7 FOR EIGHT

Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Conductor: Martin West

Sarah Van Patten, Tiit Helimets

Nicole Ciapponi, Taras Domitro

Clara Blanco, Vitor Luiz

Koto Ishihara, Lonnie Weeks

INTERMISSION

GHOSTS

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: C.F. Kip Winger

Conductor: Martin West

Yuan Yuan Tan, Damian Smith

Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets, Quinn Wharton

INTERMISSION

CHROMA

Choreographer: Wayne McGregor

Composer: Joby Talbot, Jack White III

Conductor: Martin West

Maria Kochetkova, Jaime Garcia Castilla

Frances Chung, Pascal Molat

Yuan Yuan Tan, Taras Domitro

Dana Genshaft, Anthony Spaulding

Isaac Hernandez, Garen Scribner

* Denotes premiere in role.

Casting subject to change.

Casting (http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp)for the final 3 performances of Program 3:

PROGRAM 3 Evening

Friday, March 04, 2011, 8:00 PM

CLASSICAL SYMPHONY

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Maria Kochetkova, Hansuke Yamamoto

Frances Chung, Isaac Hernandez

Dores Andre, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NANNA'S LIED

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Nanna: Sarah Van Patten

Johnny: Anthony Spaulding

Jacob Schmidt: Quinn Wharton

INTERMISSION

ARTIFACT SUITE

Choreography: William Forsythe

Piano: Margot Kazimirska

Yuan Yuan Tan, Damian Smith

Lorena Feijoo, Pascal Molat

Elana Altman

PROGRAM 3 Matinee

Sunday, March 06, 2011, 2:00 PM

CLASSICAL SYMPHONY

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Vanessa Zahorian, Gennadi Nedvigin

Clara Blanco, Daniel Deivison

Dores Andre, James Sofranko

INTERMISSION

NANNA'S LIED

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Nanna: Maria Kochetkova

Johnny: Ruben Martin Cintas

Jacob Schmidt: Val Caniparoli

INTERMISSION

ARTIFACT SUITE

Choreography: William Forsythe

Piano: Margot Kazimirska

Sofiane Sylve, Vito Mazzeo

Lorena Feijoo, Pascal Molat

Mariellen Olson

PROGRAM 3 Evening

Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 7:30 PM

CLASSICAL SYMPHONY

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Vanessa Zahorian, Gennadi Nedvigin

Frances Chung, Isaac Hernandez

Dores Andre, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NANNA'S LIED

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Nanna: Sarah Van Patten

Johnny: Damian Smith

Jacob Schmidt: Val Caniparoli

INTERMISSION

ARTIFACT SUITE

Choreography: William Forsythe

Piano: Margot Kazimirska

Elana Altman, Quinn Wharton

Maria Kochetkova*, Joan Boada

Mariellen Olson

* Denotes premiere in role.

Casting subject to change.

Going Sunday to see Sofiane and Vito and Wednesday for my wish which has come true - Maria and Joan!! Also great to see Elana and Quinn dancing the tall couple. Only wish I could have seen Frances and Jaime this past Tuesday....

Btw, is it my imagination or are the usher crew at the Opera House getting more and more pushy and obnoxious? I'm truly not enjoying my visits there and it saddens me the atmosphere has changed. There were only a handful of people at standing room and they were still being hassled by some of the ushers and I'm sick of it. Much as I love dance I'm thinking of calling this season quits and going to other companies (like the Royal Danish Ballet coming to Berkeley in May).

Gina - No, it is not your imagination. I saw Program 2 on a Tuesday night. Bought a standing ticket (another one of my peeves - now $20 since 2009 and apparently now $30 for story ballets!!! there's another thread which I must comment on with my thoughts). Back to the topic: The main reason I went (in addition to seeing Lorena in RAkU after seeing Yuan Yuan in the premiere) was to see a different cast of Symphony in C. For some reason the ushers on the left side where I was standing were up in arms about one of the other patrons and kept on talking about it 10 minutes into the performance!!! I kept looking back giving dirty looks - of course to no avail. Then there were some patrons who had arrived late at the start of Symphonic Variations so of course they had to stand in the back. When it was over the patrons rushed to find their seats but were chased down by one of the ushers. Was that really necessary? BTW - I am also going to see the Royal Danish Ballet when they are coming and looking forward to seeing them as I haven't seen many of the European companies.

Tonight was the premiere of Program 4 (can't believe we at the halfway point of the season when these program finish!!). All programs used glorious music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. We had Balanchine's majestic Theme and Variations, the SF Ballet Premiere of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Winter Dreams, and Trio - a new piece by Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson.

It seems prior to opening tonight, the order of the pieces kept changing. In the Program Book, it listed Theme and Variations, Trio, and Winter Dreams. When the casting was first announced, the order was Trio, Winter Dreams, and Theme and Variations. The current order is what is listed on the website and the casting sheet when I arrived tonight.

When the curtain went up on Theme and Variations, the audience oohed and aahed at the sight of the women in their blue bodice and white tutus, the blue background, and the chandeliers. Frances Chung (in all white) and Taras Domitro danced the lead couple. They made a wonderful pair. Taras is an amzaing jumper and spinner, which he showed in his solo. The corps women were wonderful with their intertwining moves. It ended gorgeously when the corps men joined the women.

Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Winter Dreams is based on Anton Chekhov's Three SIsters. Dancing the three sisters were Sofiane Sylve (Masha), Maria Kochetkova (Irina) and Lorena Feijoo (Olga). I am not familiar with the story and I won't try to summarize, but I think the piece conveyed the story and the dancing/acting was wonderful. The music (a number of piano pieces) alternated between piano (played by Michael McGraw) and a band featuring balalaikas that was onstage in the background. Two of the wonderful surprises were performances by Anita Paciotti as Anfisa (I think she is the mother of the sisters). There was a sequence in which she danced with the sisters. Then there was (I believe) Dr. Chebutykin, who had a drunk duet with a chair. Ricardo Bustamante was great as he tumbled on the floor while manipulating the chair with his feet!!! On a personal note, my enjoyment of the piece was somewhat diminished because a very tall and very large gentleman was seated in front of me and kept shifting from side to side which would block my view and I would have to shift side to side, up and down, and back and forth. My favorite part was when the entire cast paired off and danced to Valse sentimentale.

Trio is Mr. Tomasson's new piece set to Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement has one lead couple and five corps couples. The lead was danced by Vanessa Zahorian and Vitor Luiz. Vanessa just tore thru her parts and Vitor was there to match her. My favorite part in this section was when the corps dancers broke into a few trios. The second movement featured Sarah Van Patten, Tiit Helimets, and Vito Mazzeo. Sarah and Tiit continue the great work they have been doing together this season (after their Gala Pas De Deux and Giselle). It started as a duet and then became a trio as Vito tried to come between them and then it seemed to be a back and forth. The last movement was led by Maria Kochetkova and Gennadi Nedvigin. The five corps women from the first movement returned followed by five new corps men (I thought this was an interesting twist). The costumes were gorgeous, especially in the first movement (burgundy for the lead couple, violet for the other couples).

Overall, another great night of dancing and I look forward to seeing this program one more time.

I did enjoy, very much. Sadly left a parcel (something I bought at the gift shop) underneath my seat. Honestly. Can't believe it. I fly out tomorrow morning. Lost and found apparently doesn't answer phone calls on the weekend.

Any suggestions?

Sorry - quite off topic.

Sorry to hear Maybe try calling the box office or the gift shop - not sure if that will help. Hope you are able to get it back.

Casting for Program 4: (http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp)

PROGRAM 4 Opening Night

Friday, February 25, 2011, 8:00 PM

THEME AND VARIATIONS

Choreography: George Balanchine

Conductor: Martin West

Frances Chung, Taras Domitro

INTERMISSION

SF Ballet Premiere

WINTER DREAMS

Choreography: Sir Kenneth MacMillan

Conductor: Martin West

Piano: Michael McGraw

Masha, Vershinin: Sofiane Sylve*, Tiit Helimets*

Irina, Olga: Maria Kochetkova*, Lorena Feijoo*

Kulygin: Damian Smith*

Tusenbach, Solyony: Garen Scribner*, Vitor Luiz*

INTERMISSION

World Premiere

TRIO

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Martin West

Vanessa Zahorian*, Vitor Luiz*

Sarah Van Patten*, Tiit Helimets*

Vito Mazzeo*

Maria Kochetkova*, Gennadi Nedvigin*

PROGRAM 4 Matinee

Sunday, February 27, 2011, 2:00 PM

THEME AND VARIATIONS

Choreography: George Balanchine

Conductor: Martin West

Vanessa Zahorian, Taras Domitro

INTERMISSION

WINTER DREAMS

Choreography: Sir Kenneth MacMillan

Conductor: Martin West

Piano: Michael McGraw

Masha, Vershinin: Yuan Yuan Tan*, Vito Mazzeo*

Irina, Olga: Maria Kochetkova, Lorena Feijoo

Kulygin: Damian Smith

Tusenbach, Solyony: Garen Scribner, Vitor Luiz

INTERMISSION

TRIO

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Martin West

Lorena Feijoo*, Jaime Garcia Castilla*

Sarah Van Patten, Tiit Helimets

Vito Mazzeo

Maria Kochetkova, Gennadi Nedvigin

PROGRAM 4 Evening

Wednesday, March 02, 2011, 7:30 PM

THEME AND VARIATIONS

Choreography: George Balanchine

Conductor: Martin West

Maria Kochetkova, Gennadi Nedvigin

INTERMISSION

WINTER DREAMS

Choreography: Sir Kenneth MacMillan

Conductor: Martin West

Piano: Michael McGraw

Masha, Vershinin: Yuan Yuan Tan, Vito Mazzeo

Irina, Olga: Frances Chung*, Vanessa Zahorian*

Kulygin: Damian Smith

Tusenbach, Solyony: Quinn Wharton*, Anthony Spaulding*

INTERMISSION

TRIO

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Martin West

Vanessa Zahorian, Joan Boada*

Sarah Van Patten, Tiit Helimets

Vito Mazzeo

Frances Chung*, Taras Domitro*

PROGRAM 4 Evening

Thursday, March 03, 2011, 8:00 PM

THEME AND VARIATIONS

Choreography: George Balanchine

Conductor: Martin West

Vanessa Zahorian, Taras Domitro

INTERMISSION

WINTER DREAMS

Choreography: Sir Kenneth MacMillan

Conductor: Martin West

Piano: Michael McGraw

Masha, Vershinin: Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets

Irina, Olga: Maria Kochetkova, Lorena Feijoo

Kulygin: Damian Smith

Tusenbach, Solyony: Garen Scribner, Vitor Luiz

INTERMISSION

TRIO

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Martin West

Lorena Feijoo, Vitor Luiz

Dana Genshaft*, Ruben Martin Cintas*

Anthony Spaulding*

Maria Kochetkova, Gennadi Nedvigin

* Denotes premiere in role.

Casting subject to change.

I attended last night as well - what a great night of dance! Am a visitor to the city and had not seen the company live before, so it was a real treat. Artifact Suite was wonderful, and all that I had hoped it would be (minus the people leaving early of course).

Going tonight for Program 4! How wonderful to be able to go to the ballet on two consecutive nights and see different programs!

I was also there tonight for Program 4 - another great night of dance!! I'll be posting in a new topic. Hope you enjoyed as well.

I had to post my views on Program 3:

When the season was announced last year, the return of Artifact Suite was one of the things I was looking forward to. I was also surprised to see it coming back so soon. It was last performed in 2007 and has become one of those pieces that I would go see no matter what. However, it is not everyone's cup of tea. I remember seeing people walk out after the first time the 'fire curtain' dropped and more people walk out during the 2 minute break between the Chaconne and the piano pieces.

Prior to tonight's performance, the Meet the Artist interview was with Repeptituer Jodi Gates. She staged Artifact Suite for this season. Among the intriguing facts about the piece:

1. The eight pieces that make up the second half of Artifact Suite are actually interspersed throughout the full-length Artifact
   
2. The piece played during the two minute break between the Chaconne half and the Eva Crossman-Hecht pieces is the Chaconne played backwards. It was also mentioned that many Bach pieces can be played backwards (in this case I think they mean the music or score is read right to left instead of left to right).
   
3. The break is used for the dancers to change from the mustard colored costumes to the green costumes
   
4. Artifact 2 is just the Chaconne part by itself
   
5. When asked what specific recording of Bach's Chaconne was used for the first half, Ms. Gates could not name it. However, she said it could be Googled. I tried to find it but could not.
   
6. The pieces by Eva Crossman-Hecht are based on different passages in Bach's Chaconne
   

Briefly on the first two pieces: I enjoyed Classical Symphony as much as I did during last year's premiere. I love how Possokhov really used the music in the choreography. The men seemed as if they were jumping into the sky. Vannessa and Gennadi were wonderful as the lead couple. Nanna's Lied is a great vehicle for whoever is dancing the lead (Sarah Van Patten tonight). However, for me it just seemed to drag on longer than it should have.

For me, this program is all about Artifact Suite - and it did not disappoint. The first half is all about the two couples with their push/pull duets. Lorena and Pascal were magnificent as always. Tonight was the first time I saw Yuan Yuan and Damian. A different look for them, but they showed why they work wonderfully together. The second half is all about the corps. The women in Dance of the Thousand Piques and the men at the start of Herd Dance had me on the edge of my seat. Watching it tonight I saw the connection to in the middle, somewhat elevated. Because of the music, I also saw a connection to Wheeldon's Continuum and Polyphonia which were set to Ligeti piano pieces. I thought it was a shame to see people walk out - but their loss. I think this is dancing at its most thrilling. I will definitely be seeing this program at least two more times. I look forward to seeing other pairs (Sofiane Sylve and Vito Mazzeo, Frances Chung and Jaime Garcia Castilla). Mariellen Olson will be the Single Female Figure at this Saturday's matinee.

And extra kudos to the dancers who danced in either 'Classical' or 'Nanna's Lied' AND Artifact - especially to Elana Altman who went from heels (as one of the women in Nanna's Lied) to bare feet (as the Single Female Figure in Artifact).

Casting for the first four performances of Program 3: [http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp]

PROGRAM 3 Opening Night

Thursday, February 24, 2011, 8:00 PM

CLASSICAL SYMPHONY

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Vanessa Zahorian, Gennadi Nedvigin

Frances Chung*, Isaac Hernandez*

Dores Andre, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NANNA'S LIED

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Nanna: Sarah Van Patten

Johnny: Anthony Spaulding*

Jacob Schmidt: Val Caniparoli

INTERMISSION

ARTIFACT SUITE

Choreography: William Forsythe

Piano: Margot Kazimirska

Yuan Yuan Tan, Damian Smith

Lorena Feijoo, Pascal Molat

Elana Altman

PROGRAM 3 Matinee

Saturday, February 26, 2011, 2:00 PM

CLASSICAL SYMPHONY

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Vanessa Zahorian, Gennadi Nedvigin

Frances Chung, Isaac Hernandez

Dores Andre, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NANNA'S LIED

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Nanna: Maria Kochetkova*

Johnny: Ruben Martin Cintas*

Jacob Schmidt: Val Caniparoli

INTERMISSION

ARTIFACT SUITE

Choreography: William Forsythe

Piano: Margot Kazimirska

Yuan Yuan Tan, Damian Smith

Lorena Feijoo, Pascal Molat

Mariellen Olson*

PROGRAM 3 Evening

Saturday, February 26, 2011, 8:00 PM

CLASSICAL SYMPHONY

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Maria Kochetkova, Hansuke Yamamoto

Clara Blanco, Daniel Deivison-Oliveira

Dores Andre, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NANNA'S LIED

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Nanna: Yuan Yuan Tan

Johnny: Damian Smith*

Jacob Schmidt: Val Caniparoli

INTERMISSION

ARTIFACT SUITE

Choreography: William Forsythe

Piano: Margot Kazimirska

Sofiane Sylve, Vito Mazzeo*

Frances Chung*, Jaime Garcia Castilla

Elana Altman

PROGRAM 3 Evening

Tuesday, March 01, 2011, 8:00 PM

CLASSICAL SYMPHONY

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Maria Kochetkova, Hansuke Yamamoto

Frances Chung, Isaac Hernandez

Dores Andre, Jaime Garcia Castilla

INTERMISSION

NANNA'S LIED

Choreography: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Emil de Cou

Nanna: Sarah Van Patten

Johnny: Anthony Spaulding

Jacob Schmidt: Quinn Wharton*

INTERMISSION

ARTIFACT SUITE

Choreography: William Forsythe

Piano: Margot Kazimirska

Sofiane Sylve, Vito Mazzeo

Frances Chung, Jaime Garcia Castilla

Elana Altman

* Denotes premiere in role.

Casting subject to change.

Also, Vito Mazzeo replaces Artem Yachmennikov in this Saturday's performance (http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp#43681142)

GISELLE Evening

Saturday, February 12, 2011, 8:00 PM

Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson

Conductor: Martin West

Giselle: Yuan Yuan Tan

Albrecht: Vito Mazzeo+

Hilarion: Pascal Molat

Myrtha: Sofiane Sylve

+premiere in Tomasson's production

Another performance of Giselle on Sunday evening was just added (http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp#43681142)

GISELLE Evening

Sunday, February 13, 2011, 7:30 PM

GISELLE

Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson

Giselle: Maria Kochetkova

Albrecht: Joan Boada

Hilarion: Pascal Molat

Myrtha: Frances Chung

- a second chance to see Maria and Joan!!!

Wonderful debut by Daniel Baker as Hilarion...

Amen to that.

Friday's Meet the Artist Interview is with - Daniel Baker!!! I already bought my ticket for Friday because I wanted to see Lorena as Giselle (missed her in 2002 and 2005, she missed 2008) and now this makes it even better!!! Reminder that you can check the Meet the Artist Interview scheduled here: http://www.sfballet.org/educationcommunity/adulteducation/meettheartistinterviews.asp.

Meantime, I THINK I can contribute something re Altman/Chung -- which is that Ms Altman subbed for Sofiane Sylve on opening night, and it's Ms Sylve we need to burn our candles for. I admire her enormously, as perhaps do you. Ms. Altman had a HUGE success in the role.

I'm reviewing the performance for my newspaper, the Bay Area Reporter, and so can't say much more right now till that piece comes out (wednesday online, Thursday in hard copy).

Thanks for the info. You are correct - I also admire Ms. Sylve. I will never forget when I first saw her as Myrtha during the 2008 season. She was a very chilling Myrtha. Can't wait to read your review later this week.

I don't want to derail or take anything away from Sarah Van Patten and the other dancers, but I am truly disgusted with the SF Ballet for jacking up their standing room prices yet again to $30 for the story ballets. Yes, I know they (and the opera house in general... I'm not sure who exactly instituted this price rise) probably aren't getting as much money in these tight economic times, but to charge $30 for many ballet fans who likely don't have a lot of money is terrible and it's squeezing the wrong people. Much as I love SFBallet's performances and have been attending since the 1970s, I'm not going to be going to much (if any) this year. How much money this is generating for the opera house and SFB can't be much, but it's the straw that broke my camel's back. Yes, I am aware they are offering some discounts during certain evenings up in the nosebleeds. Sorry, but it's not a decent tradeoff. I love the culture of standing room, where you have real fans, dancers and highly knowledgable people mixing together. It was magic and, thanks to some very short-sighted management, it's been ruined for me. BOO on SFB and BOO Opera House

This is terrible news!!! It was distressing enough a few years ago when the price rose from $10 to $20 for standing - and now this!?!?!?! I already have seats for Wed & Fri Giselle (after seeing today) and wanted to see Maria & Yuan Yuan next week standing - but not at $30!!! You are so right about the standing room culture. A few years ago I ran into some other friends who were also standing. I told them I went to the gala and after Lorena performed the PDD from Giselle the woman next to me leaned over and whispered 'that was my daughter'. A woman nearby turned and said she heard my story and then told me she was Elana's mother!!! Last year during the last performance of The Little Mermaid there were two women - one of them was obviously not a ballet fan. She (the unpleasant, non-ballet fan) told the other 'don't expect much of a story - Disney invented The Little Mermaid'. Needless to say, I was flabbergasted by her lack of knowledge. However, I did not feel it was worth it to waste my breath to educate her.

Sunday 1/30

Saw today's performance. Just before the performance, it was announced that Myrtha would be danced by Frances Chung (replacing Elana Altman). I hope Elana is OK and that she was just not feeling well today. Frances did a wonderful job.

Sarah Van Patten as Giselle and Tiit Helimets were magnificent as Giselle and Albrecht. Wonderful debut by Daniel Baker as Hilarion - can't wait to see what else he'll do this season. I saw him in Tharp's In the Upper Room when Miami City Ballet was in Berkeley a few years ago and was happy to see him joining SFB.

I'll be seeing Lorena and Vitor on Friday.

Program and casting -- here's the link: http://sterngrove.org/august8_10.html

Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

Admission-Free Performance

Sigmund Stern Grove, 19th Ave. & Sloat, San Francisco

San Francisco Ballet returns to Stern Grove Festival in its only Bay Area summer appearance. Renowned for its incomparable level of innovation and exuberance, San Francisco Ballet is one of the premier ballet companies in America.

The afternoon's program includes:

PRISM

Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

Conductor: Martin West

Piano: Roy Bogas

Vanessa Zahorian, Jaime Garcia Castilla, Isaac Hernandez

Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun*, Anthony Spaulding*

Hansuke Yamamoto

INTERMISSION

PAS DE DEUX FROM AFTER THE RAIN ©

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Composer: Arvo Pärt

Conductor: Martin West

Violin: Heidi Wilcox

Yuan Yuan Tan, Damian Smith

PAS DE DEUX FROM DON QUIXOTE, ACT 3

Choreographer: after Marius Petipa

Composer: Ludwig Minkus

Conductor: Martin West

Lorena Feijoo, Vitor Luiz

INTERMISSION

SANDPAPER BALLET

Choreographer: Mark Morris

Composer: Leroy Anderson

Conductor: Martin West

Ensemble

* Denotes premiere in role.

Casting subject to change.

Change in casting (from SF Ballet website http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp): Yuan Yuan Tan and Tiit Helimets are now listed for Prism. This is a premiere for Tiit. I hope both Nutnaree and Anthony are OK - I was really looking forward to seeing them. They were wonderful in Rush.

I think Gonzalo Garcia may have performed the role of Apollo at SFB. I'm guessing he will be cast. Also, I think Kowrowski would be a good choice for the lead. I suspect Mearns will be in the mix too. She is conquering every important role in the rep. I could see Veyette as Apollo.

Yes, Gonzalo did perform Apollo while he was at SFB. I need to look back to see if he was who I saw - although admittedly at the time (2004) my friend and I did not enjoy Apollo. However, I would now like to see it again and hopefully SFB will bring it back in the next few years.

Brett Bauer has joined Oregon Ballet Theatre as a Soloist - http://www.obt.org/company_bios/bauer.html

Also gone from the roster are Corps de Ballet dancers Christopher Mondoux, Aaron Orza, and Miriam Rowan.

Program 7, Sunday matinee, April 11

Has anyone else seen any of these programs? Surely I'm not the the only one there

No, you are not the only one who has seen these programs

I saw Program 7 for the second time last night (Wed 4/14 - also went opening night). This is probably my favorite program this season of all the mixed bills. Great music all around and wonderful dancing. I could watch The Concert over and over again. I'm actually going again tonight - I checked casting and Katita Waldo is dancing the Ballerina in The Concert!!!! I am so happy that she has the opporunity to do this on the eve of her retirement and I have the chance to see it!!! There is also the second cast of Classical Symphony I am looking forward to.

I think the dancer taking you up to see the VP of Nutcracker Operations/Sugar Plum Fairy (Katita) and pushing the button with her beautifully turned out foot is Julianne Kepley ... Of course, I may be wrong.

I hope you are right about Kepley. She was badly injured in rehearsals for the New Works Festival a couple of seasons ago and hasn't danced since, so far as I know. Let's hope this means she's 'back in service' and we'll have a chance to see her during the upcoming season.

Julianne did dance towards the end of last season. She danced in one of the performances of West Side Story Suite. I think she sang Somehwere in another. I went to 4 performances(!) of Program 6 - mainly because of Within the Golden Hour and WSSS. I remember being very happy to see her back in action.

It's that time again!

Magical Memories Nutcracker Video Contest

I don't recognize all the dancers in the video, but that's definitely Elana Altman having issues with the hole punch, Frances Chung tenduing at the typewriter, CEO Katito Waldo laying down the law (like any good ballerina), and Rubén Martín Cintas as the dashing assistant. Does anyone recognize the others?

It's a very fun video!!! I think the dancer taking you up to see the VP of Nutcracker Operations/Sugar Plum Fairy (Katita) and pushing the button with her beautifully turned out foot is Julianne Kepley. The Spanish dancer with Ruben and Katita looks like Dores Andre. Of course, I may be wrong.