Great Reviews for San Francisco Ballet’s Cinderella [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Mar 12, 2014 | Ballets

San Francisco Ballet got great reviews from ballet critic Allan Ulrich. Yesterday SFB danced Christopher Wheeldon’s version of Cinderella. Great Reviews for San Francisco Ballet’s Cinderella What transfixes you about [the] setting of the Charles Perrault tale (a co-production with the Dutch National Ballet) is the fluid, often dazzling theatricality that captivates even before the curtain goes up. The swift transitions and seeming refusal to take a breath come close to exhausting you. The dozens of couples incessantly waltzing their way through Act 2 seem like an ode to hedonism. The jaw-dropping finale to Act 1, thanks to genius puppeteer Basil Twist, has already earned its place in company history. The opening episode of Act 3, the search for the foot that fits that slipper, is a marvelous visual gag. An ironic tone pervades those ballroom couples rocking on their heels, while those three foreign princesses make you shudder at thoughts of another “Swan Lake” divertissement. The SFGate wrote: “Simply wonderful.” Read full review at San Francisco Gate online. Great Reviews for San Francisco Ballet’s Cinderella The video below shows  excerpts of important moments in the ballet; from Cinderella dancing with “a quartet of Fates, young men with blue jerseys and gold masks who guide her destiny,” to her two very limber stepsisters and a final pas de deux with her prince at the ball. Enjoy! Video courtesy of San Francisco Ballet on YouTube. Great Reviews for San Francisco Ballet’s Cinderella If you’re in the San Francisco area, make it a date to see this “thumbs up” production of Cinderella with amazing principals and cast of the San Francisco Ballet! San Francisco Ballet, Program 4: Christopher Wheeldon’s...

Carmen: Love Triangle and Murder [Full Ballet]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Feb 26, 2014 | Ballets

With spectacular shots taken from above the dancers, this production of Carmen (Suite) by the Bolshoi Ballet is a must see! Carmen: Love Triangle and Murder Carmen Suite is a one-act ballet created in 1967 by Cuban choreographer Alberto Alonso, on music written by Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin. The music, taken from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet and arranged for strings and percussion, is not a 19th-century pastiche but rather “a creative meeting of the minds,” as Shchedrin put it, with Bizet’s melodies reclothed in a variety of fresh instrumental colors (including the frequent use of percussion), set to new rhythms and often phrased with a great deal of sly wit. Initially banned by the Soviet hierarchy as “disrespectful” to the opera for precisely these qualities, the ballet has since become Shchedrin’s best-known work and has remained popular in the West as what reviewer James Sanderson of all music.com calls “an iconoclastic but highly entertaining retelling of Bizet’s opera.” Carmen: Love Triangle and Murder Roles: Carmen, A Gypsy woman Don José, Corporal of Dragoons Escamillo, A bullfighter (toreador) Zúñiga, Captain of Dragoons Fate Magistrate Story line: Place: Seville, Spain, and surrounding hills Time: Around 1820 Alonso’s scenario centers on Carmen, Don José and the bullfighter Escamillo. Carmen is a passionate, free-spirited woman in contrast to the temperamental and fickle Don José. Fate, a ballerina dressed in black and a representation of Carmen’s alter ego, tells Carmen’s fortune with a deck of cards. A fight with tobacco dealers leads to Carmen’s arrest by Captain Zúñiga. In jail, she seduces Don José and convinces him to release her from jail. Carmen is subsequently caught in a love triangle between Don José and popular bullfighter...

Alexei Ratmansky’s Romeo and Juliet [Videos]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Feb 23, 2014 | Ballets

What does it take to put on a huge production like Romeo and Juliet? It’s an “old” ballet with a new vision, the fresh vision of world renown choreographer Alexei Ratmansky. It takes gutsy risks and 1.7 million dollars! Karen Kain, artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada was willing to invest in the company to put it back on the international arena. For the company’s 60th anniversary that is what Kain did, two years ago and it payed off. Alexei Ratmansky’s Romeo and Juliet This new production was not only exciting, but it was a daring move on the part of Artistic Director Karen Kain. The National Ballet takes a great leap of faith with a top choreographer’s new production of the classic love story Romeo and Juliet. Video courtesy of CBCtv: http://youtu.be/Kl5cz3YRZi8. And as far as the dancers go, what was it like to prepare for these iconic and bigger than life, Shakespearean roles? Guillame Coté and Elena Lobsanova share what it took to prepare for the roles of Romeo and Juliet; building a partnership through communication and coordination. Alexei Ratmansky’s Romeo and Juliet We visited the last week of rehearsals for the National Ballet of Canada’s production of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky and marking the ballet company’s 60th anniversary, to talk to its stars about what it’s been like to fall in love with their roles. Video courtesy of YouTube. Alexei Ratmansky’s Romeo and Juliet Putting on a huge production like Romeo and Juliet takes a lot of team effort on the part of the entire company, from the artistic director,...

Valentine’s Day at the Ballet [Cinderella Trailer]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Feb 13, 2014 | Ballets

What a better way to spend Valentine’s Day than at the ballet! Christopher Wheeldon’s magical production of Cinderella is back. Critics and fans of all ages have thrilled to this wildly imaginative, funny, and romantic production. Read more at San Francisco Ballet. Valentine’s Day at the Ballet If you happen to be in the San Francisco area don’t miss-out on this one-of-a-kind ballet. Christopher Wheeldon’s “Cinderella,” performed by San Francisco Ballet, has no fairy godmother or a magic pumpkin. Full report here.  Joan Acocella on last October’s (2013) two week run in New York City wrote of the ballet: …the sets and costumes, by Julian Crouch [are magnificent]: a stage full of chandeliers, a tree that grows and waves and billows, occupying almost the whole upper stage. [The] tree was the work of the great puppeteer Basil Twist. Twist also designed the carriage that takes Cinderella to the ball. This was just four huge green wheels, drawn by horses, as a wind machine lofted Cinderella’s golden train above her and gathered it into a great, glistening cupola—the most amazing sight of the show. But Crouch was responsible for many sights. I especially loved the sixteen Louis XVI-style chairs that the local women sat in as they tried to fit into the fatal shoe. You can read Acoccella’s full review visit  The New Yorker. So you can expect a spectacular and luscious production with this version of Cinderella! Video courtesy of YouTube.com. Valentine’s Day at the Ballet For more information on the ballet Cinderella, tickes, etc. please click the links below. San Francisco Ballet Blog SanFranciscoBallet.org Valentine’s Day at the Ballet We hope you...

Two Lovers Risk It All: Romeo and Juliet [Full Ballet]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jan 16, 2014 | Ballets

Two Lovers Risk It All: Romeo and Juliet [Full Ballet] In this Thursday at The Theater edition Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta fall in love (on stage, of course) to the music of Prokofiev. This 2009 performance of Romeo and Juliet will steal your heart and it just might make you shed a few tears. Two Lovers Risk It All: Romeo and Juliet [Full Ballet] The balcony scene sends chills up my spine every time. Tamara Rojo is absolutely stunning as she awaits her young lover. Acosta is virile and irradiates complete abandon in his role as Romeo. Experience it for yourself! Video source: Romy Macias channel on YT. Two Lovers Risk It All: Romeo and Juliet [Full Ballet] So… did you get goose bumps? I thought so! If you enjoyed, please share this beautiful performance by these two etoiles by clicking “Share” below. Until next time, here at Thursday at The Theater!...

Thursday at The Theater: The Nutcracker, Mariinsky Theatre [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jan 2, 2014 | Ballets

Thursday at The Theater: The Nutcracker, Mariinsky Theatre Here’s one final Nutcracker before ending the winter season. Tonight I’m sharing Mariinsky’s Theatre version of the beloved holiday ballet. Thursday at The Theater: The Nutcracker, Mariinsky Theatre Just sit back and be delighted as you welcome the New Year 2014! Video source from YouTube. Thursday at The Theater: The Nutcracker, Mariinsky Theatre Remember to sign-up below to our email list and stay in touch with Classical Ballet News. Until next time!...