Onstage March 1–8, Rojo’s production celebrates courageous women in history and coincides with Women’s History Month
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) February 10, 2025—San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) today announced creative details for the North American premiere of Artistic Director Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda. A bold retelling of Marius Petipa’s 1898 masterpiece that is rarely staged in full, Rojo’s directorial and choreographic debut relocates the story from the Crusades to the 19th-century Crimean War. The work draws inspiration from the life story of Florence Nightingale to examine the courageous and complicated role of women during wartime. Opening in San Francisco on March 1, Rojo’s Raymonda kicks off Women’s History Month and reflects SF Ballet’s commitment to reimagining classic stories and historical moments from new perspectives, expanding the company’s classical repertoire, and staging works rarely seen in the U.S.
“As we continue to forge the future of ballet here in San Francisco, it is crucial to not only bring new works into the canon but to recontextualize classic works for modern audiences,” says Rojo. “Raymonda joins a suite of complex heroines onstage in our 2025 Season, from our season opener Manon to Frida Kahlo in Broken Wings later this spring. I’m excited to introduce Raymonda’s captivating story to a new generation, embodying resilience and courage through emotional and global turmoil.”
Known for her dynamic career as an internationally awarded principal dancer and accomplished artistic director, Rojo infuses contemporary flair into the story while honoring its classical choreographic roots. Returning to the stage following its world premiere at English National Ballet in 2022, Rojo’s Raymonda is grounded in the spirit of Nightingale, the historical founder of modern nursing, and imbues the heroine with renewed agency and purpose, differing from the more passive protagonist in Petipa’s original 1898 narrative.
The choreography in Raymonda features intricate footwork and expressive storytelling that highlights the technical precision and artistry of SF Ballet’s dancers, accompanied by the Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and Music Director & Principal Conductor Martin West’s performance of composer Alexander Glazunov’s gripping score. The intricate and historically authentic character dances from choreographer Vadim Sirotin showcase the complex cultural diversity of the Ottoman Empire, blending Hungarian, Middle Eastern, and other influences reflective of the many peoples who, despite their differences, united in the Crimean War and serve as a dynamic visual representation of the ballet’s central themes of harmony and connection amidst conflict.
MEET THE ARTIST PRE-SHOW TALKS
Join SF Ballet before the performances on opening night Saturday, March 1; Sunday, March 2; and Friday, March 7 for Meet the Artist, an informative series of talks featuring dancers, choreographers, musicians, and other artists in conversation with a moderator.
On March 1, join Raymonda Stager Loipa Araújo for a behind-the-scenes conversation about her work on this production. Additional speakers for the Raymonda Meet the Artist series to be announced soon. Pre-performance talks are open seating in the orchestra level of the War Memorial Opera House and begin 55 minutes before the performance starts. A performance ticket for the respective date is required to enter.
TICKETS & PERFORMANCE DATES
Raymonda is onstage at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco from March 1–8. Tickets start at $35 (+ $14 per order handling fee) and are available for purchase at sfballet.org. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling Ticket Services at 415-865-2000, open Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. Casting and prices are subject to change.
Saturday, March 1 at 8:00pm
Sunday, March 2 at 2:00pm
Tuesday, March 4 at 7:30pm
Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30pm
Thursday, March 6 at 7:30pm
Friday, March 7 at 8:00pm
Saturday, March 8 at 2:00pm
Saturday, March 8 at 8:00pm
RUNTIME
Act I – 65 min
Intermission – 20 min
Act II – 31 min
Intermission – 15 min
Act III – 36 min
Total runtime: 2 hours, 47 minutes
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Direction and Choreography: Tamara Rojo, after Marius Petipa
Music: Alexander Glazunov, adapted and edited by Gavin Sutherland and Lars Payne
Staged by: Loipa Araújo, Daniel Kraus, Vadim Sirotin, and Hua Fang Zhang
Additional Principal Coaching: Julio Bocca
Sets and Costume Design: Antony McDonald
Lighting Design: Mark Henderson
Choreographic Assistant: Renato Paroni de Castro
Character Dances: Vadim Sirotin
Dramaturg: Lucinda Coxon
Choreographic Research and Stepanov Notation: Doug Fullington
Video Designer: Alexander Gunnarsson
World Premiere: January 2022—English National Ballet, London Coliseum; London, England
SF Ballet/North American Premiere: March 1, 2025—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
CONTACT
Public Relations, San Francisco Ballet
press@sfballet.org
To access press images, please register via the link here: https://photos.sfballet.org/
ABOUT TAMARA ROJO
Appointed Artistic Director of SF Ballet in 2022, Tamara Rojo is the first woman to lead the company and only its fifth Artistic Director since the company was founded in 1933. Still early in her tenure in San Francisco, she has already commissioned two world premieres, added new works to the repertoire, instituted choreographic and professional development opportunities for the company, expanded audiences, and secured a transformational $60 million gift. Previously, Rojo served as artistic director and lead principal of London’s English National Ballet (ENB) for nine and a half years and had a celebrated 30-year career as a professional ballerina, dancing principal roles at Scottish Ballet, English National Ballet, and The Royal Ballet. Raised in Madrid, Rojo has received Spain’s three highest honors, two Olivier Awards, and the Kennedy Center Gold Medal for Fine Arts.
ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
San Francisco Ballet, led by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, is a world-leading ballet company and a trailblazing commissioner, collaborator, and presenter in dance. With a deep commitment to new and contemporary works and the classical repertoire, SF Ballet is a catalyst for the future of ballet, investing in commissions and acquisitions; presenting established and emerging choreographers with a breadth of viewpoints; uplifting dancers, artists, and creatives across disciplines; and cultivating the next generation of the world’s top dancers in its School.