sf_herminator

Val has danced character roles in the full-length ballets (R & J, Giselle, Nutcracker). Last season (2008) he danced (with Katita Waldo) the High Society couple in Filling Station. Of his pieces that I have seen (Lambarena, Connotations, Ibsen's House), he has not performed in them.

Sean Orza is now back on the roster http://www.sfballet.org/about/company/dancers.asp Still no word on any promotions

Just wanted to let you know that I received an e-mail from SF Ballet that due to dancer's illness, there is a change to all Program 8 perofrmances this weekend. Ballanchine's Rubies will replace Russian Seasons. Here is the link to casting which includes the change: http://www.sfballet.org/performancesticket...ng.asp#43680798 While I am disappointed because I wanted to see the second cast of Russian Seasons (saw the company premiere), I am happy I will get the chance to see Maria Kochetkova perform in Rubies. ~Herm

I attended opening night for Program 1 and wanted to post a few thoughts. Prior to the performance, the Meet the Artist interview was with Tina LeBlanc. She spoke about her career and her future plans in working with the ballet school. Prism - I remember I loved this ballet when I first saw it a few years ago. This time I thought it was just OK - then Taras Domitro entered for the final movement. This man is amazing. Flying through the air, he seems to defy gravity. You could hear the audience gasp as he would spin and jump and land as light as a feather. I was impressed with him at the gala - even more so now and cannot wait to see what else he does this season. Diving Through the Lilacs - The scenery in the back is one of the most visually stunning I can remember. The first movement contained unique and beautiful shapes. The dancers were wonderful. The choreography is great. However, I don't find the music that memorable. I will need to see this a second time before I give a final verdict. The Four Temperaments - A few casting changes from what was originally listed: Pascal Molat danced Melancholic, Davit Karapetyan danced Phlegmatic. I thought it was well danced and I liked it better than I remember. I was very happy to see Nutnaree dancing again. I will have to go again to see Taras dance Melancholic - perhaps next week.

I attended last night's gala performance and will try to post more details later, but a few thoughts: Tina LeBlanc was especially lovely last night. She will definitely be missed Loved Raymonda with Maria Kochetkova and Joan Boada. They are a wonderful pair. Very impressed with Taras Domitro (Le Corsaire with Vanessa Zahorian) and Isaac Hernandez (with Tina). Looking forward to what they will do this season. Opening with Tarantella and closing with Stars and Stripes were especially fun.

I have seen Paul Taylor's Company on their San Francisco stop for five of the last six years. They are not coming this year, though, but hopefully will be back next year. I always looked forward to Ms. Viola and while happy for her am saddened that we won't see her again. I love her comedic side as in Troilus and Cressida (Reduced), but also her intensity in Promethean Fire and her playful side in A Field of Grass. That's sad to hear....

For whatever reason, Julianne (who I loved as one of the head Willis in Giselle and also in Divertimento No. 15) did not sing Somewhere - unless I really missed something there. It was sung by a hired female singer (stage right) and Matthew Stewart (stage left). Curiously, on the casting section of the website she is listed as Graziela (http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp). However, in the casting sheet at the Opera House, she was only listed as one of the Jets girls. Maybe she will sing in future performance? I know I will try to catch at least one more performance of this program.

Tonight I attended the first performance of Program 4 - A Tribute to Jerome Robbins. On the program: Fancy Free, In the Night, and West Side Story Suite. Fancy Free - The sailors were Pascal Molat, Garrett Anderson, and Davit Karapetyan. The first two women were Erin McNulty and Vanessa Zahorian. Mariellen Olson was the woman at the end. This was really fun as I remembered. The three men were really believable as great friends but great rivals when it came to women. I especially liked the pas de deux with Garrett and Vanessa. I still gasp when Pascal does the splits - twice!!!! In the Night - I have to admit when I first saw this in 2004 I wasn't exactly enthralled. Maybe it was the memory of having to learn two of the Nocturnes when I was younger. Anyhow, I really did come to love and appreciate this piece until the retirement gala for Stephen Legate, Yuri Possokhov, and Peter Brandenhoff. Tonight it was beautifully performed. However, I must vent about a couple of things regarding the audience at tonight's performance. First, there were a number of people who were talking through the start of the third tempestuous couple (Lorena Feijoo and Damian Smith). I don't know why they were talking for almost the first minute!!! Second, during the fourth nocturne (when each couple comes out separately, then comes together at the end) the audience was laughing when the first couple (Yuan Yuan Tan and Ruben Martin) made a quick entrance and exit during couple number three. I don't think it was suposed to be funny. I saw it as they (couple 1) were intruding on couple 3 and thus left quickly. I found the laughter to be a bit disconcerting. I hope I'm not being too uptight about this, but I just didn't see what was funny and I don't recall hearing laughter the previous times I saw this piece. I thought each couple represented each mood beautifully. Couple 1 is young and innocent, discovering a new love. Couple 2 (Elana Altman and Tiit Helimets) were more restrained yet noble. Couple 3 was emotional and fiery. I swear that I was holding my breath at times when Damian swept Lorena up and swooped her down and set her down again. West Side Story Suite - This piece does not tell the story of West Side Story. It is a compilation of the best dance sequences from the show and movie. There is both dance - and song!!!! It opens with the Prologue - a back and forth between the Jets and the Sharks. Next is Something's Coming. Garrett Anderson as Tony is the soloist. Matthew Stewart (Corps member) comes on stage left to sing. He has a nice voice, but I think he was a bit nervous. The Dance at the Gym follows, including the first meeting of Tony and Maria (Dores Andre). The dance was very energetic. Next was Cool - sung by Rory Hohenstein. It just doesn't seem fair that he's handsome, he dances, AND he sings!!!! America was next - but it was just the Shark girls (unlike the movie). Shannon Roberts shined as Anita. The Rumble was next (which ended with the killing of Riff and Bernardo). The last piece was the Somewhere Ballet (which is in the stage version, but IIRC not in the movie). Another singer (not sure who from the cast sheet) and Matthew Stewart came onstage to sing. Matthew sounded great on Somewhere. Wow!!! This was great. It was also a crowd pleaser. I'm looking forward to seeing other casts. Katita Waldo as Anita and Damian Smith as Riff are listed in the casting for Saturday matinee and Tuesday night. I also know that Lorena Feijoo has learned the part of Anita, so I hope that she will perform as well.

I have caught Luke twice now. He was one of peasants in the final performance of Giselle on Sunday 2/24. I also caught him tonight in the company's premiere of West Side Story Suite. Color me impressed. Luke was one of the Jets and featured in the Cool segment. He also was featured in the Somewhere Ballet segment as one of the couples. I hope he will be dancing in a number of the upcoming new works.

Unfortunately, casting changed and Sofiane did not perform tonight. She was replaced by soloist Elana Altman. Hopefully Sofiane will perform on another night and I hope to catch her then.

Sofiane will be performing in 'In the Night' this Thursday 3/6 in Program 4 (All Jerome Robbins). Her partner is Tiit Helimets and they are the second couple. Here's the link to casting for the program: http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp I will be there so I will post a report.

Just wanted to say that I saw Giselle tonight and it just keeps getting better (I first saw it in 2002 with Joanna Berman as Giselle, again in 2005 with Tina Le Blanc). Yuan Yuan and Tiit were wonderful together, Damian was his usual diabolical Hilarion (casting had changed over the week. Pascal was in the Pas de Cinq tonight, but will dance Hilarion on Tuesday), and Sofiane was fabulous as Myrtha.

He has posted on his site that he is joining ABT: http://josephphillips.net/

A change in casting from the website (http://sfballet.org/performancestickets/casting.asp): New soloist Julianne Kepley will dance in Divertimento No. 15 (Rachel Viselli was previously listed). I'm looking forward to seeing her. Stern Grove Performance Matinee 8/12/2007,2 PM SPRING ROUNDS Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Garrett Anderson INTERMISSION DIVERTIMENTO NO. 15 Conductor: Martin West Nicolas Blanc, Ruben Martin, Jaime Garcia Castilla Lorena Feijoo Vanessa Zahorian, Frances Chung, Katita Waldo, Julianne Kepley INTERMISSION ELEMENTAL BRUBECK Music: Tape Rory Hohenstein Katita Waldo, Damian Smith * Designates premiere in a role. Casting subject to change.

Casting for this Sunday's performance in Stern Grove has been posted (SF Ballet Casting) Stern Grove Performance Matinee 8/12/2007,2 PM SPRING ROUNDS Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Garrett Anderson INTERMISSION DIVERTIMENTO NO. 15 Conductor: Martin West Nicolas Blanc, Ruben Martin, Jaime Garcia Castilla Lorena Feijoo Vanessa Zahorian, Frances Chung, Katita Waldo, Rachel Viselli INTERMISSION ELEMENTAL BRUBECK Music: Tape Rory Hohenstein Katita Waldo, Damian Smith

I am both excited and a bit disappointed with the Jerome Robbins program. I am excited to see Fancy Free again and really looking forward to West Side Story - especially to see who will sing. Although I love In the Night, I was hoping for the return of Dances at a Gathering. Of all the Ballanchine ballets, why Divertimento No. 15? I wasn't thrilled with it this season so I am not looking forward to its return. I am definitely looking forward to the 10 World Premieres. There was a webcast of the press conference on nbc11.com. Three of the works will have commissioned scores. John Adams is composing the music for the Mark Morris piece and Isaac Mizrahi is designing the costumes. Mark Morris (who spoke via satellite from NY) also stated that the piece would feature 7 dancers. They did not state which other pieces would have commissioned scores. I am especially happy that Julia Adam will be creating another work. I enjoyed Night and imaginal disc. I am also looking forward to the Visiting Companies program. I am especially curious about A Delicate Battle, especially since it is the work that put Matjash Mrozewski on the map. Although not great, I enjoyed Concordia and hope that he is asked to create another work for the company in the next few years. I am always happy to see Giselle. I was wondering which full length we would get to see. Also looking forward to the encores of Firebird, Eden/Eden, and Carousel. Wondering who else will perform the After the Rain Pas de deux. Damian and Yuan Yuan performed it at the gala.

Rory Hohenstein will be interviewed on Friday 4/13. Julia Adam will be interviewed on Sunday 4/15. Here's the link: http://www.sfballet.org/danceeducation/adu...tinterviews.asp I love these interviews since it's great to see the artist's personality and get great insight into the pieces being danced.

I plan on going to Program 7 on Friday 4/21.

Here is an interview with Rory Hohenstein which appeared in the SF Chronicle's Sunday Datebook: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c...PKGFCOTKQ61.DTL

for us, but best of luck Gonzalo and thank you for all your wonderful performances over the years: Fancy Free, Dances at a Gathering, Fifth Season, Sylvia, Don Quixote, Prism, Elemental Brubeck, Continuum, Eden/Eden, Dance House, Elite Syncopations, many more I can't think of right now.... I am going tonight and he is dancing with Molly Smolen in On Common Ground. I will post my thoughts on the performance later.

Here is the press release regarding the promotions from the website: http://www.sfballet.org/about/newspress/pr...asp?id=10193070 Congratulations to Sarah and Rachel!!!! Also, if you subscribe to the podcasts (Artist Spotlight, Meet the Artist) there is a new Artist Spotlight. It is an interview with Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun. It is also posted on the website - here's the link: http://www.sfballet.org/about/podcasts_as.asp Enjoy!!!!

Vanessa Zahorian and Gonzalo Garcia performed a pas de deux at the Season Opening Gala, so it's safe to assume that Vanessa is one of the Aurora's. The program notes are posted on the website. One of those interviewed is Rachel Viselli, who is another Aurora. She is paired up with Davit Karapetyan. Here's the ballet website link: www.sfballet.org. If I had to guess who the other Aurora's are, I would think Yuan Yuan Tan and Sarah Van Patten. Casting should be up by Wednesday or Thursday.

I just saw Program 2 tonight and wanted to post my thoughts: Blue Rose - When I first saw it last year, I thought it was pleasant but nothing more. Seeing it tonight, it was better than I remembered but still nothing more than a pleasant little piece. The Dance House - Gonzalo Garcia as the central figure was great. I also liked Katita Waldo and Pierre Francois Villanova in the second pas de deux. However, I think I need to view it again to really form an opinion. Firebird - It was worth the wait. Yuri has another hit on his hands. I loved Pascal Molat as Kaschei and Yuan Yuan Tan as the Firebird. Tiit Helimets as the Prince partnered both Tan and Rachel Viselli (the Princess) well. What impressed me most was the male corps as the Monsters with Kaschei. There was one great sequence when the Firebird was encircled by the monsters. As the Firebird was leaping about in the circle, the monsters did a wave around her. This is the best description I can give, but you really need to see it. I also liked the 'slow motion' running sequence when Kaschei was chasing the Prince. I plan to see the other casts this week: Elana Altman will be the Firebird on Friday. Lily Rogers dances the Firebird on Wednesday and Sunday.

I saw Program 1 last Wednesday, but am only posting my thoughts just now. Divertiment No. 15 - I love the music, but what more can be said of Ballanchine? It was what you expect from him. I liked it, but not one of my all time favorites. Aunis - It was interesting to see this cast (Garrett Anderson, Rory Hohenstein, James Sofranko) and compare to the Gala cast (Nicolas Blanc, Pascal Molat, Pierre Francois Villanova). I enjoyed the energy they had onstage. I'm glad Garrett and Rory have been promoted and hope that the same will come true for James. Artifact Suite - I can watch this piece over and over again. Sitting in the audience (for the first 2 pieces, I was standing in the back. Someone was kind enough to offer an extra ticket because a companion left early) I was struck again by the reaction to the 'fire curtain'. I just assumed that everyone had read or heard about it already, but it was kind of funny that there was still some commotion about it. The corps was fabulous, especially in the second half. I read one review which stated the corps danced as if their lives depended on it and I agree. I feel there is such an urgency watching this piece. I hope to see it one more time during this run. It will also be interesting to see when it will be brought back again.

Forgive me as this is my first post. I am an SFB subscriber and see all 8 programs - sometimes twice - each season. Thank you everyone for all the posts about the Lincoln Center engagement - I wish I could have gone. But I just had to reply to this post - is Evelyn Berman a dancer I don't recall??? I'm sure you must be referring to either Evelyn Cisneros or Joanna Berman :grinning-smiley-001: Helene - I'm glad that I'm not the only one who wasn't as thrilled with Apollo. In its premiere season, my ballet friend and I did not like it. When it was revived this year, it was the first performance on the program and we had a drink at the bar instead!!! Although I must admit I would have been curious to see Tiit Helimets perform the role. ~Herm