Photo Preview: San Francisco Ballet’s Swan Lake February 23, 2009
Over the past few days, I’ve seen the hits on my blog skyrocket due to the number of people searching for San Francisco Ballet’s newly staged Swan Lake. Since I won’t be seeing it until later this week (thanks to my day job, I’m relegated to the confines of my schedule rather than my free will, which would be to see every Odette/Odile). So in response to popular demand, I’ll post some photos which will hopefully be a substitute for a review. If you’re on the fence, act FAST because tickets are selling quickly.
Yuan Yuan Tan and Tiit Helimets in Tomasson's Swan Lake. © Erik Tomasson
Yuan Yuan Tan and Damian Smith in Tomasson's Swan Lake. © Erik Tomasson
San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson's Swan Lake. © Erik Tomasson
Any thoughts? I’m not the biggest fan of the swans’ headpiece (it’s a bit intrusive, and it looks like a starfish vacuum-sucked itself onto their heads). But look at the production! It’s going to be a big spectacle, and it looks spectacular. Grab your ticket before it’s too late, click here for more info.
The San Francisco Chronicle review (more photos here)
Ho! I’m one of the many hits looking for your thoughts. I saw the opening night with Yuan Yuan, whom I now call Swan Yuan. Simply put I thought it was the most extraordianry performance by a prima ballerina I have ever seen (of hundreds). Her balances and acting were beyond imagining. For me it is virtually impossible to imagine a more compelling performance. Tiit was a secure partner, which is the role in this ballet. See Tina on Tuesday and Lorena on Wednesday. The production and sets are a different story, which will take more time to absorb. Read somewhere that this production must last 15 years. Good grief, that may be hard! Thanks so much for your thoughtful reviews.
Awesome! Thanks for the in-person preview. I can’t imagine how heavenly Yuan Yuan Tan is – she seems to be the ideal for the role. Her balances during the gala performance made people gasp out loud. I’ve missed Helimets too, and I’m glad he’s back on stage. Do tell me how Tina and Lorena are as well – I’m really curious how they both will interpret the role. Hm, I’m intrigued by what you say about the production and the sets. The SF Chronicle review also seems to point out a few problems as well – giggling during Swan Lake usually isn’t a good thing.
I can’t wait to see it…!
Here in NYC we have a choice between ABT’s basically traditional production with a few bad patches (Rothbart’s swamp-creature get-up) and the very controversial Peter Martins production with its eyesore sets and some questionable costuming but which is really dance-oriented and has an extraordinarily powerful conclusion. I will be curious to read more about the SFB production but at first glance I would say the swans’ headpieces urgently need to be changed.
Ah yes. Is Kevin McKenzie’s production the same one that was released on DVD with Gillian Murphy and Angel Corella? I felt like it fell in the common trap of an artistic director who thinks WAY too much about the details but misses the glaring obvious things. He thought so carefully about making Von Rothbart danced by two dancers, yet missed the mark about the swamp thing get-up that has been the subject of much debate.
I do think it is a difficult job though, to revive a well loved, extremely traditional ballet. There’s huge pressure to stick to the original not to offend its fans, with equally strong pressure to make it “different” often only for the sake of making it “modern” and “cutting edge”. Despite mixed reviews, I still love the ballet and its music (and the company!), and I still think this will be one of the best programs of the year for SFB.