FEBRUARY 9–15
BRITISH ICONS
SONG OF THE EARTH // SF BALLET PREMIERE
“A man and a woman; death takes the man; they both return to her and at the end of the ballet, we find that in death there is the promise of renewal.” Sir Kenneth MacMillan weaves a story of love, loss, and bittersweet death through poetic choreography set to Mahler.
MARGUERITE AND ARMAND // SF BALLET PREMIERE
Created in 1963 for two of ballet’s superstars, Nureyev and Fonteyn, this passionate tale draws inspiration from history’s most famous tragic love stories. Of all the ballets that Frederick Ashton created, Marguerite and Armand stands out as his most passionate as it whisks us through their tragic love affair. The lush designs tell a tale of their own, imbuing the ballet in an unforgettable period drama.
The first performance of Marguerite and Armand is dedicated to the memory of Anthony Russell-Roberts.
RUSH FOR ALL
$29 Rush For All tickets will be available for Feb 9, 8 pm; Feb 10, 2 pm; Feb 13, 7:30 pm; and Feb 15, 7:30 pm performances. Use the promo code LETSGO.
*Rush tickets go on sale at 10 am on the day of the performance and end 1 hour before curtain. Rush offers are subject to availability and may end without notice.
VIEW PROGRAM BOOK
SONG OF THE EARTH // SF BALLET PREMIERE
CHOREOGRAPHER: SIR KENNETH MACMILLAN
COMPOSER: GUSTAV MAHLER
–
MARGUERITE AND ARMAND // SF BALLET PREMIERE
CHOREOGRAPHER: SIR FREDERICK ASHTON
COMPOSER: FRANZ LISZT
Total runtime: 2 hour, 5 minutes, with one intermission
Each ticket includes a $1–2 facility fee. Order handling fee will be added at checkout.
Multiculturalism in the choreography of Kenneth MacMillan
Multiculturalism in the choreography of Kenneth MacMillan
Tamara Rojo shares a slice of dance history
Tamara Rojo shares a slice of dance history
Yuan Yuan Tan and Aaron Robison in rehearsal for Frederick Ashton's Marguerite and Armand
Yuan Yuan Tan and Aaron Robison in rehearsal for Frederick Ashton's Marguerite and Armand
Insights from the SF Ballet Music Director
Insights from the SF Ballet Music Director
Tamara Rojo Unveils the Heartfelt Tale of Frederick Ashton's Marguerite and Armand
Tamara Rojo Unveils the Heartfelt Tale of Frederick Ashton's Marguerite and Armand
"You breathe it in, and you dance it out."
"You breathe it in, and you dance it out."
Tamara Rojo shares her insights on this iconic British masterpiece.
Tamara Rojo shares her insights on this iconic British masterpiece.
A deep dive into the British masterpiece.
A deep dive into the British masterpiece.
Song of the Earth (SF Ballet Premiere)
Choreographer: Sir Kenneth MacMillan
Composer: Gustav Mahler
Staged by: Grant Coyle and Edward Watson
Additional Principal Coaching: Tamara Rojo
Scenic and Costume Design: Nicholas Georgiadis
Lighting Design: Jacopo Pantani
World Premiere: November 7, 1965—Stuttgart Ballett, Staatstheater Stuttgart; Stuttgart, Germany
San Francisco Ballet Premiere: February 9, 2024—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
Music: Das Lied von der Erde by Gustav Mahler. Scenery and Costumes Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
––
Marguerite and Armand (SF Ballet Premiere)
Choreographer: Sir Frederick Ashton
Composer: Franz Liszt
Staged by: Grant Coyle
Additional Principal Coaching: Tamara Rojo
Scenic and Costume Design: Cecil Beaton
Lighting Design: John B. Read
World Premiere: March 12, 1963—The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House; London, England
San Francisco Ballet Premiere: February 9, 2024—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
Music: Piano Sonata in B minor, arranged by Dudley Simpson, used by permission. Costumes and Settings courtesy of Iain Webb and The Sarasota Ballet. Additional costumes courtesy of The Australian Ballet.
