sf_herminator

Here's the info on the National Ballet of Canada website:  https://national.ballet.ca/Productions/San-Francisco-Ballet

Looking forward to Trey McIntyre's new piece tonight.  Here is a short clip from Trey himself, which was posted on SFB's FB page:  

 

Tonight's ballet performance ended early because of a power outage:  https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Power-outage-cuts-off-electricity-to-30-000-in-15052544.php#

Here are some related tweets:  https://twitter.com/search?q=San Francisco ballet&src=typed_query&f=live

SFB has a post on their IG stories:  https://www.instagram.com/stories/sfballet/

I was there.  In the fourth section of Welch's Bespoke, Angelo was dancing when all of a sudden the lights went out in the auditorium and the stage went dark.  He kept dancing for a bit and the orchestra played a few more bars of music.  An announcement was made, but because of the power outage it was hard to hear.  Basically they said the performance would resume as soon as the power came back.  However, about 15 minutes went by when they finally made announcement that the performance was cancelled and asked the audience to exit the auditorium.  When back in the lobby, lights were on in the lobby.  I was standing in the back behind the gift shop crew.  There was confusion as to why lights were on in the rest of the opera house but not in the auditorium.  I later heard that the power was out at the ballet building on Franklin.  Some surmised that the auditorium and backstage was on the same power grid as the ballet building, thus the performance could not continue.  There was no word on how theatre goers would be compensated.  I only had a standing ticket, so it is not a big loss for me.  

I will post later about last night's performance.  I will also be attending tomorrow night for the first performance of Program 3.

Just as many of us are excited to see Sasha Mukhamedov, she is excited to be dancing on the War Memorial Opera House stage:  

Merde to everyone tonight!!!

14 hours ago, pherank said:

Mukhamedov will be in the Sandpaper Ballet. 😉

YES!!!  And so will Vladislav Kozlov!!  I will be attending tonight (I went last night as well) and will post a report as soon as I can.

Complete casting now up for Wednesday 2/12 (Sandpaper Ballet was updated).  Additionally, Sunday 2/16 and Thursday 2/20 now up (https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/)

Wed, Feb 12 at 7:30 pm

BESPOKE

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Choreographer: Stanton Welch

Conductor: Martin West

WanTing Zhao, Sasha De Sola, Kamryn Baldwin†, Isabella DeVivo, Thamires Chuvas, Lauren Parrott† Angelo Greco, Steven Morse, Davide Occhipinti†, Esteban Hernandez, Diego Cruz†, Mingxuan Wang†

INTERMISSION

05:49

Composer: Ivan Pavlov and Annie Bandez

Choreographer: Myles Thatcher

Sasha De Sola, Benjamin Freemantle

FOR PIXIE

Composer: Nina Simone

Choreographer: Danielle Rowe

Dores André, Joseph Walsh

GRAND PAS CLASSIQUE

Composer: D. F. E. Auber

Choreographer: Victor Gsovsky

Conductor: Martin West

Wona Park, Wei Wang

INTERMISSION

SANDPAPER BALLET

Composer: Leroy Anderson

Choreographer: Mark Morris

Conductor: Martin West

Trumpeter: Joseph Walsh*†, Julia Rowe*† Pas de Deux: Benjamin Freemantle*†, WanTing Zhao*† Lonnie Weeks†, Hansuke Yamamoto, Sean Bennett†, Cavan Conley†, Vladislav Kozlov†, Lucas Erni†, Nathaniel Remez† Norika Matsuyama†, Sasha Mukhamedov†, Isabella DeVivo†, Kimberly Marie Olivier, Ami Yuki†, Maggie Weirich†, Swane Messaoudi†, Thamires Chuvas†, Kamryn Baldwin†, Anatalia Hordov†, Natasha Sheehan†, Lauren Parrott†, Leili Rackow†, Jasmine Jimison†

 

Sun, Feb 16 at 2:00 pm

BESPOKE
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Choreographer: Stanton Welch
Conductor: Martin West

WanTing Zhao, Sasha De Sola, Jennifer Stahl, Wona Park, Isabella DeVivo, Ellen Rose Hummel
Angelo Greco, Steven Morse, Benjamin Freemantle, Cavan Conley, Alexandre Cagnat, Lonnie Weeks

INTERMISSION

Pas de Deux from AFTER THE RAIN

Composer: Arvo Pärt
Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon
Violin: Cordula Merks
Piano: Natal'ya Feygina

Yuan Yuan Tan, Luke Ingham

Pas de Deux from SWAN LAKE
Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreographer: David Dawson
Conductor: Martin West
Violin: Cordula Merks
Cello: Eric Sung

Sofiane Sylve, Carlo Di Lanno

CONCERTO GROSSO
Composer: Francesco Geminiani
Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson
Violin I: Cordula Merks
Violin II: Ani Bukujian
Viola: Yi Zhou
Cello: Eric Sung

Esteban Hernandez, Benjamin Freemantle, Mingxuan Wang†, Lonnie Weeks, Max Cauthorn

INTERMISSION

SANDPAPER BALLET
Composer: Leroy Anderson
Choreographer: Mark Morris
Conductor: Martin West

Trumpeter: Cavan Conley, Jahna Frantziskonis*
Pas de Deux: Daniel Deivison-Oliveira, Wona Park*†

Alexandre Cagnat†, Mingxuan Wang†, Sean Bennett, Joshua Jack Price†, Vladislav Kozlov, Lucas Erni, Nathaniel Remez, Norika Matsuyama, Sasha Mukhamedov, Isabella DeVivo, Kimberly Marie Olivier, Ami Yuki, Maggie Weirich, Swane Messaoudi, Thamires Chuvas, Kamryn Baldwin, Anatalia Hordov, Natasha Sheehan, Lauren Parrott, Leili Rackow, Jasmine Jimison

 

Thu, Feb 20 at 7:30 pm

BESPOKE
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Choreographer: Stanton Welch
Conductor: Ming Luke

Mathilde Froustey, Frances Chung, Jennifer Stahl, Wona Park, Isabella DeVivo, Ellen Rose Hummel

Esteban Hernandez, Carlo Di Lanno, Benjamin Freemantle, Wei Wang, Alexandre Cagnat, Lonnie Weeks

INTERMISSION

05:49
Composer: Ivan Pavlov and Annie Bandez
Choreographer: Myles Thatcher

Sasha De Sola, Benjamin Freemantle

FOR PIXIE
Composer: Nina Simone
Choreographer: Danielle Rowe

Dores André, Joseph Walsh

GRAND PAS CLASSIQUE
Composer: D. F. E. Auber
Choreographer: Victor Gsovsky
Conductor: Martin West

Wona Park, Wei Wang

INTERMISSION

SANDPAPER BALLET
Composer: Leroy Anderson
Choreographer: Mark Morris
Conductor: Martin West

Trumpeter: Esteban Hernandez, Misa Kuranaga
Pas de Deux: Luke Ingham, Sarah Van Patten

Wei Wang, Max Cauthorn, Myles Thatcher, Steven Morse, Henry Sidford, Diego Cruz, Joseph Warton
Jahna Frantziskonis, Jennifer Stahl, Dores André, Madison Keesler, Elizabeth Powell, Miranda Silveira, Gabriela Gonzalez, Bianca Teixeira, Blake Johnston, Megan Amanda Ehrlich, Carmela Mayo, Samantha Bristow, Ellen Rose Hummel, Elizabeth Mateer

 

• *Denotes role debut in current production
• ‡Denotes role debut at San Francisco Ballet
• †Denotes debut in current production

On 2/3/2020 at 2:46 PM, Josette said:

Interesting that Joffrey Ballet has not changed its scheduled performances of Liam Scarlett's Vespertine in Berkeley in early March.   Ashley Wheater,  who was a wonderful dancer, has been a very effective director for the Joffrey, and is simply a nice guy,  has close ties with SFB and trained at the Royal Ballet School. 

A friend of mine told me the Joffrey website was updated.  Liam Scarlett's Vespertine has been replaced with Christopher Wheeldon's Commedia (c) - http://joffrey.org/tours.  The Cal Performances site has not been updated.

Casting for Saturday's performances now up: https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/

We finally get to see Sasha Mukhamedov!!!

Casting for the first three performances is now available (https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/)

Tue, Feb 11 at 7:30 PM

 

BESPOKE

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Choreographer: Stanton Welch
Conductor: Martin West

Mathilde Froustey, Frances Chung, Jennifer Stahl, Wona Park, Isabella DeVivo, Ellen Rose Hummel

Esteban Hernandez, Carlo Di Lanno, Benjamin Freemantle^†, Wei Wang^†, Alexandre Cagnat, Lonnie Weeks

INTERMISSION

FORESHADOW
Composer: Ludovico Einaudi
Choreographer: Val Caniparoli
Conductor: Martin West

Jennifer Stahl, Elizabeth Powell, Tiit Helimets

Pas de Deux from AFTER THE RAIN
Composer: Arvo Pärt
Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon
Violin: Cordula Merks
Piano: Natal'ya Feygina

Yuan Yuan Tan, Luke Ingham

SOIRÉES MUSICALES
Composer: Samuel Barber
Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson
Conductor: Martin West

Misa Kuranaga^†, Angelo Greco

INTERMISSION

SANDPAPER BALLET
Composer: Leroy Anderson
Choreographer: Mark Morris
Conductor: Martin West

Trumpeter: Esteban Hernandez*^†, Misa Kuranaga*^†
Pas de Deux: Luke Ingham*^†, Sarah Van Patten*^†

Wei Wang^†, Max Cauthorn^†, Myles Thatcher^†, Steven Morse^†, Henry Sidford^†, Diego Cruz, Joseph Warton^†
Jahna Frantziskonis^†, Jennifer Stahl, Dores André, Madison Keesler^†, Elizabeth Powell^†, Miranda Silveira^†, Gabriela Gonzalez^†, Bianca Teixeira, Blake Johnston^†, Megan Amanda Ehrlich^†, Carmela Mayo^†, Samantha Bristow^†, Ellen Rose Hummel^†, Elizabeth Mateer^†

Wed, Feb 12 at 7:30 PM

 

BESPOKE
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Choreographer: Stanton Welch
Conductor: Martin West

WanTing Zhao, Sasha De Sola, Kamryn Baldwin^†, Isabella DeVivo, Thamires Chuvas, Lauren Parrott^†

Angelo Greco, Steven Morse, Davide Occhipinti^†, Esteban Hernandez, Diego Cruz^†, Mingxuan Wang^†

INTERMISSION

05:49
Composer: Ivan Pavlov and Annie Bandez
Choreographer: Myles Thatcher

Sasha De Sola, Benjamin Freemantle

FOR PIXIE
Composer: Nina Simone 
Choreographer: Danielle Rowe

Dores André, Joseph Walsh

GRAND PAS CLASSIQUE
Composer: D. F. E. Auber
Choreographer: Victor Gsovsky
Conductor: Martin West

Wona Park, Wei Wang

INTERMISSION

SANDPAPER BALLET
Composer: Leroy Anderson
Choreographer: Mark Morris
Conductor: Martin West

Trumpeter: Joseph Walsh*^†, Julia Rowe*^†
Pas de Deux: Benjamin Freemantle*^†, WanTing Zhao*^†
Lonnie Weeks^†, Hansuke Yamamoto, Isabella DeVivo^†, Kimberly Marie Olivier, Ami Yuki^†, Maggie Weirich^†, Swane Messaoudi^†, Thamires Chuvas^†, Kamryn Baldwin^†, Anatalia Hordov^†, Natasha Sheehan^†, Lauren Parrott^†, Leili Rackow^†, Jasmine Jimison^†

 

Fri, Feb 14 at 8:00 PM

 

BESPOKE
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Choreographer: Stanton Welch
Conductor: Martin West

WanTing Zhao, Sasha De Sola, Kamryn Baldwin, Isabella DeVivo, Thamires Chuvas, Lauren Parrott
Esteban Hernandez, Steven Morse, Davide Occhipinti, Wei Wang, Diego Cruz, Mingxuan Wang

INTERMISSION

FORESHADOW

Composer: Ludovico Einaudi
Choreographer: Val Caniparoli
Conductor: Martin West

Jennifer Stahl, Elizabeth Powell, Tiit Helimets

Pas de Deux from AFTER THE RAIN

Composer: Arvo Pärt
Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon
Violin: Cordula Merks
Piano: Natal'ya Feygina

Yuan Yuan Tan, Luke Ingham

SOIRÉES MUSICALES
Composer: Samuel Barber
Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson
Conductor: Martin West

Misa Kuranaga, Angelo Greco

INTERMISSION

SANDPAPER BALLET
Composer: Leroy Anderson
Choreographer: Mark Morris
Conductor: Martin West

Trumpeter: Esteban Hernandez, Misa Kuranaga
Pas de Deux: Luke Ingham, Sarah Van Patten

Wei Wang, Max Cauthorn, Myles Thatcher, Steven Morse, Henry Sidford, Diego Cruz, Joseph Warton
Jahna Frantziskonis, Jennifer Stahl, Dores André, Madison Keesler, Elizabeth Powell, Miranda Silveira, Gabriela Gonzalez, Bianca Teixeira, Blake Johnston, Megan Amanda Ehrlich, Carmela Mayo, Samantha Bristow, Ellen Rose Hummel, Elizabeth Mateer

*Denotes role debut in current production

‡Denotes role debut at San Francisco Ballet

†Denotes debut in current production

Edited to add:  It appears the cast listed for Sandpaper Ballet on Wednesday is not complete.  The ballet uses 25 dancers and there are only 18 listed.  I will update this post when available.

3 hours ago, pherank said:

The interesting bit is that Sofiane is dancing Infinite Ocean rather than Etudes on opening night. No one dances Etudes like Sylve, but I can guess that she's ready to move on.  😉

I will have to check but if memory serves me right, Sasha was in opening night Etudes.  Additionally, The Infinite Ocean was created on Sofiane/Tiit & YY/Vitor so it makes sense she would dance opening night in that piece.

Program 3 features the long-awaited return of Edwaard Liang's The Infinite Ocean, which was part of 2018's Unbound.  Trey McIntyre's second piece for SFB will premiere - The Big Hunger is set to Prokofiev's Piano Concerto #2.  The program will close with an encore of Harald Lander's Etudes - an homage to ballet class (at least that's how I see it....).  The program will open on Thursday 2/13.  Casting has been posted for opening night:  

As discussed in another topic, Program 2 has been revised.  Stanton Welch's Bespoke and Mark Morris's Sandpaper Ballet are still part of the program.  With the news of Liam Scarlett his Hummingbird will be replaced by Director's Choice.  More details are now available.  Director's Choice will be three pieces which will rotate.  Here are the pieces along with the dates they will be performed:  

Feb 11, 7:30 pm • Feb 14, 8 pm • Feb 22, 8 pm

Foreshadow (Val Caniparoli)
After the Rain Pas De Deux (Christopher Wheeldon)
Soirees Musicales (Helgi Tomasson)

Feb 12, 7:30 pm • Feb 20, 7:30 pm

05:49 (Myles Thatcher)
For Pixie (Danielle Rowe)
Grand Pas Classique (Victor Gsovsky)

Feb 16, 2:00 pm • Feb 22, 2:00 pm

After the Rain Pas De Deux (Christopher Wheeldon)
Swan Lake Pas De Deux (David Dawson)
Concerto Grosso (Helgi Tomasson)

Foreshadow, 05:49, For Pixie, Grand Pas Classique, and Swan Lake Pas De Deux were performed at this year's Opening Night Gala.  Soirees Musicales was performed at last year's Opening Night Gala.  After the Rain Pas De Deux was performed at Stern Grove in 2016  - here are two links (Studio rehearsal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTPT_Yw6TWM, performance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMbGtYwybR4&t=223s).  Concerto Grosso was seen in rehearsal during World Ballet Day 2014 (go to 09:35) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tST3-ivV_Ro.  

Program 2 open on Tuesday 2/11.  Casting will be posted here:  https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/

Program 2 details:  https://www.sfballet.org/productions/classical-revision/

 

12 minutes ago, Phrenchphry11 said:

I'm hoping a Justin Peck work comes back!  His work would certainly fit with the theme of the program.

If it's Peck, it would have to be In the Countenance of Kings.  Both Hurry Up We're Dreaming and Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes were performed in the 2018 AND 2019 seasons.  Generally works are not performed three years in a row.  Kings premiered in 2016 and was brought back in 2017, so it is possible it could be a piece that could come back.

From Twitter:  

 

 

15 minutes ago, Phrenchphry11 said:

Wow, SF Ballet just emailed me to say they will be replacing Hummingbird with something to be announced. That was quick.

Haven't received the email but it is now removed on the website:  https://www.sfballet.org/productions/classical-revision/

At this weekend’s performances, check out the pop-up tables on main floor & grand tier level.  You can learn about tutus, pointe shoes & & watch some short video clips about Cinderella.  BTW, I will be at one of the tables on Friday & Sunday so come say Hi!!!   Full disclosure: I am a volunteer for the ballet. 😊

On 1/21/2020 at 5:56 PM, ECat said:

thank you @sf_herminator for the link to Misa's interview.  In 2018 I had the pleasure of seeing her as the dewdrop fairy in Boston Ballet's Nutcracker and she blew me away.  Her musicality, phrasing, jumps, speed, and lightness were so beautiful.  San Fransisco Ballet has quite an impressive roster off dancers.  

You're welcome!!  I look forward to seeing Misa tonight!!  I saw her in the gala and also in Nutcracker as Sugar Plum Fairy.  Looking to later in the season, it appears she will be dancing in Etudes - she posted a clip on IG when she was in Boston:  

She also was the artist in the opening night Meet the Artist interview on Tuesday (https://www.sfballet.org/calendar/meet-the-artist-interviews/).  I will post a link to the recording when it is available.

9 hours ago, Josette said:

Sarah Van Patten stole the show, hands down. 

Looking forward to seeing her Saturday night!!!

An interview with Misa Kuranaga from KRON4:  https://www.kron4.com/entertainment-news/cinderella-opens-2020-san-francisco-ballet-season/

Not about SFB per se, but about their home which will impact next year.  I had heard about this sometime last year.  In 2021, the seats in the Orchestra, Grand Tier, and Dress Circle sections of the Opera House will be renovated.  This project began back in 2013 with the Box seats, followed by the Balcony.  This is the last phase of this renovation.

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/dance/the-war-memorial-opera-house-is-getting-new-seats-in-2021

SFB is in talks with BroadwaySF to present the last two programs of the 2021 Repertory Season at the Orpheum Theatre.  The 2021 Season will be announced in April 2020.

7 minutes ago, pherank said:

Thanks for the report, sf_herminator! So far, I can only find images of Natasha Sheehan’s gown:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7bgobWAx_K/

And Ben Freemantle's ???
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Z-aGxgers/

Hopefully this link will work.  This is a link to SFB post on Instagram Stories:  https://www.instagram.com/stories/sfballet/.  I believe it is a public account so you should be able to see it.  There are pics from the dinner, gala performance, and other miscellaneous.  Just tap on the pic to play.

On 1/15/2020 at 1:22 PM, Helene said:

Off-topic, but, we miss you in Seattle, @sf_herminator!  We were under the delusion that you live here and only visit San Francisco .

 

Aw, thanks Helene!!  I do plan to come up for One Thousand Pieces, Giselle, and PIte-Tharp-Liang.  Especially looking forward to Giselle - my favorite story ballet.

On 1/16/2020 at 1:25 PM, PeggyTulle said:

According to casting, Sasha De Sola has replaced Sasha Mukhamedov in Diamonds. 

Although I did not stay to see Diamonds (had to get back to City Hall as I was volunteering for the After Party), Sasha DeSola did dance in place of Sasha Mukhamedov.  Apparently there was an update to the program but I did not receive one.

Another change to last night's program:  Joseph Walsh replaced Carlo DiLanno in the R&J Balcony PDD.  When Romeo came out I first saw the hair and thought 'that's not Carlo'.  I then looked through my binoculars and confirmed with one of my friends who told me there was a change but there was not even an announcement prior to the performance as has been the custom in the past.

My quick thoughts:  A very enjoyable evening of performances.  To my eye, everyone looks fabulous.  Great to start with Stars & Stripes.  Lucas Erni was wonderful in leading the regiment.  I saw him at the after party and complimented him on his performance.  Val's new piece Foreshadowing was a beautiful piece for the occasion and danced very well by Jennifer Stahl, Tiit Helimets, and Elizabeth Powell.  I really enjoyed Bournonville's Jockey Dance - a very playful and competitive number as danced by Esteban Hernandez & Max Cauthorn.  The piece was staged by Ulrik Birkkjaer - who must be on leave per his IG post (https://www.instagram.com/p/B7DnoCzAJkG/).  I do expect him to be back later this season - he was just nominated (along with the cast of Millepied's Appassionata) for Outstanding Achievement for Ensemble Performance (http://www.izzies-sf.org).  Dawson's Swan Lake PDD was beautiful - but I wasn't moved by it.  Perhaps hearing the music and not seeing a tutu or seeing the PDD out of context was part of it.  The last two numbers in the first half (Rowe's For Pixie danced to Nina Simone's Wild is the Wind & PDD from Le Corsaire) drew the biggest applause.  For the second half, I really enjoyed Grand Pas Classique (danced by Wona Park & Wei Wang) and PDD from Bells (Yuan Yuan Tan and Vitor Luiz in his farewell performance).  Overall a wonderful night of dancing and I am ready for the season to begin!!!

 

From Sasha DeSola's IG: 

I will try to find a link for the interview....

And here's the clip from KTVU:  https://www.ktvu.com/video/644718

And here's one of Sasha DeSola & Benjamin Freemantle, who will be debuting a piece by Myles Thatcher: