Arielle Smith’s New Ballet for SF Ballet

“She never felt like the protagonist of her own story.”

“I’ve always felt a bit of a desire to look into that deeper and to explore how we can make Carmen a piece that’s truly about Carmen.” The result is what Smith refers to as a “new classic.” A contemporary take that digs into the complicated humanity of the characters, exploring their strengths, vulnerabilities, and flaws. This retelling has shifted focus from the familiar context of the Bizet opera, making this a truly modern take on the classic.

The creative team is comprised of a deep bench of heavy-hitting tastemakers including an original score from Grammy Award-winning composer Arturo O’Farrill, set designs by Tony Award-winning Ricardo Fernandez, costumes by sustainable luxury fashion designer Gabriela Hearst, and expert Dramaturg Lucinda Coxon.

© San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo