‘Frankenstein’ and 4 premieres on tap for SF Ballet 2017
Four world premieres, a George Balanchine evening and a full-length recounting of the “Frankenstein” story will be among the highlights of the San Francisco Ballet’s 2017 season, which begins with a gala performance at the War Memorial Opera House on Jan. 19.
The eight-program series, details of which were announced this week by Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson, runs through May 7, 2017.
New to the choreographic roster here will be South African Arthur Pita and Czech Jiri Bubenicek (former member of the Hamburg Ballet), both of whom will create new ballets.
The season also features premieres by resident choreographer Yuri Possokhov and corps de ballet member Myles Thatcher.
In a comment on the debuting dance makers, Tomasson observed, “I chose these choreographers because they have a new perspective to offer, and I am excited to see what they will create on our dancers.”
Choreographed by Liam Scarlett, the “Frankenstein” ballet is based on the original Mary Shelley novel and is a co-commission with the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, where it premieres this May.
The design team includes John Macfarlane (set and costume design), David Finn (lighting) and Finn Ross (projections).
The only announced tour date (Oct. 26-30) is a visit to the Kennedy Center in Washington with Christopher Wheeldon’s “Cinderella,” which will also be the home season closer.
Program 4 (March 7-18): All-Balanchine: “Violin Concerto,” “Prodigal Son,” “Diamonds.”
Program 5 (March 9-19): “Fusion” (Possokhov); new Pita ballet; “Fearful Symmetries” (Scarlett).
Program 7 (April 5-18): “Trio” (Tomasson); new Thatcher ballet; “Within the Golden Hour” (Wheeldon).