Musings on ballet, classical music, the violin, and life
The Classical Girl Initially, I only knew composer Léo Delibes for his ballet scores, the 1870 Coppélia and his 1876 Sylvia. I’m a ballet person, after all. I’ve been aware of the beautiful aria from the British Airways and Ghirardelli chocolate commercials in that I-know-it-but-not-its-name-or-its-composer way, but I didn’t figure out until recently that it’s taken from … Read more
It’s going to be a memorable, one-of-a-kind repertory season, as the San Francisco Ballet celebrates artistic director Helgi Tomasson’s 37th and final year with the company. The entire season interconnects and celebrates Tomasson’s enormous legacy, one that shaped San Francisco Ballet into the acclaimed, world-renowned ballet company it is today. And the magic is about … Read more
It’s big news, something I’ve been waiting for since artistic director Helgi Tomasson announced his retirement: the San Francisco Ballet today appointed Tamara Rojo as the company’s next artistic director. The following is taken from the San Francisco Ballet’s press release: (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) January 11, 2022 San Francisco Ballet today announced the appointment of … Read more
I’m a big fan of the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker (and just reviewed a 2021 performance for Bachtrack HERE) but this year I’m proposing a different Nutcracker must-see. My classical music readers will be happy to hear I’m favoring an orchestral performance of Tchaikovsky’s score this time, and not the ballet. And yet, fear not, … Read more
Google “Top 10 classical ballets” or something similar, and you’ll find a whole slew of lists that, in truth, really don’t vary a whole lot. Some feature more contemporary ballets and include the works of Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan, George Balanchine. Others opt for the whimsical and light, like Coppélia and La Fille Mal Gardée. … Read more