San Francisco Ballet enchants with a winning Giselle

Sasha De Sola and Aaron Robison in Helgi Tomasson's Giselle

Nikisha Fogo as Myrtha in Helgi Tomasson's Giselle

Act 2 of Helgi Tomasson's Giselle

Sasha De Sola as Giselle in Helgi Tomasson's Giselle

Sasha De Sola and Aaron Robison in Helgi Tomasson's Giselle

By Terez Rose, 26 February 2023

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“much of the magic came from the 24-member Wili ensemble moving as one in their hops across the stage”

Reviewed at War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco on 24 February 2023

Giselle (Marius Petipa, Jules Perrot, Jean Coralli, Helgi Tomasson)

San Francisco Ballet

Martin West, Conductor

Mikael Melbye, Set Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer

San Francisco Ballet Orchestra

Sasha De Sola, Dancer

Aaron Robison, Dancer

Nikisha Fogo, Dancer

Yi Zhou, Viola

Hansuke Yamamoto,, Dancer

Max Cauthorn, Dancer

Isabella DeVivo, Dancer

Norika Matsuyama, Dancer

Carmela Mayo, Dancer

José Martínez unveils his latest Don Quichotte in Palermo

Vito Lentini, 29th March

José Martínez has envisioned a Don Quichotte that recalls the original 19th century choreography while also acknowledging some of the notable 20th century versions and it's splendid looking.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's reimagined La Bayadère triumphs

Mark Vicente, 26th March

Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

Mejia debuts in a sumptuous Sleeping Beauty at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 12th February

Roman Mejia and a raft of soloist debuts galvanized Peter Martins' Sleeping Beauty. An elegant production with some incidental messiness and the structural liability of a princess' dependence on a kiss.

****1

Dutch National Ballet brings much needed heat to this winter season

Mark Vicente, 10th February

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

****1

NYCB: Balanchine + Ratmansky program warms the audience

Ivy Lin, 20th January

NYCB has a winning triple bill with its Balanchine + Ratmansky program. Excellent dancing and contrasting works sends the audience home in buoyant mood.

*****

More reviews...

Terez Rose

Terez Rose is a writer and former dancer whose work has appeared in numerous journals, anthologies and online publications. She is the author (as Terez Mertes Rose) of the Ballet Theatre Chronicles (Off Balance, Outside the Limelight, Ballet Orphans, Other Stages) and A Dancer’s Guide to Africa. Visit her at The Classical Girl where she blogs about classical music and the performing arts.