SF Ballet 2013 season

San Francisco, January - May 2013

SF Ballet is reknown for its holiday ballet The Nutcracker. It has also built up its reputation thanks to its seasonal program of ballets ranging from classical to more contemporary ones.

2013 season starts at the end of January and offers 8 different programs. It's time to think about booking your seats.

Here are some of the ballets that drew our attention.

"Suite en blanc", a neoclassical ballet by Serge Lifar, a star from Diaguilev Ballets Russes, first performed by the Paris Opera in 1943.

"In the night" by american choreographer Jérome Robbins, set to solo piano by Chopin (he caleld the Nocturnes).

"Nijinsky" by John Neumeier, artistic director of Hamburg Ballet. Performed by the acclaimed Hamburg Ballet, this dance theater epic is based on the tumultuous life of dancer Vaslav Nijinsky who worked with Diaguilev and was a choreographer himself ("Thee Rite of Spring" music by Stravinsky...). On tour since 2000, "Nijinsky" also features scenery, lighting, and costumes by Neumeier.

"The Rite of Spring" (we were just talking about it!). With its percussive rhythms and dissonant harmonies, Stravinsky’s masterpiece is one of the most revolutionary musical works of the 20th century. This is the world premiere of the ballet by choreographer in Residence Yuri Possokhov.

"Onegin". After receiving rave reviews in 2012, SF Ballet presents John Cranko’s dramatic story ballet this year again. Don't miss this second chance!

"Raymonda Act III" by Rudolf Nureyev. First visit the exhibition at the De Young dedicated to Rudolf Nureyev's life in dance (until Feb 17), then enjoy this sparkling ballet.

"Cinderella", a new production by Christopher Wheeldon, presented as the must-see dance event of the season. This season program also includes Christopher Wheeldon’s stunning "Within the Golden Hour" hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as, "one of Wheeldon’s best works and one of the Company’s finest hours." (Photo below ©Erik Tomasson)