Father of American Ballet
Feb 10 – Feb 15
Celebrate Balanchine's artistic vision
Diamonds
George Balanchine
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Serenade
George Balanchine
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Stars and Stripes
George Balanchine
John Philip Sousa
arranged by Hershy Kay
San Francisco Ballet in Balanchine’s Serenade // © Studio Schuller for San Francisco Ballet
Diamonds – 34 minutes
Intermission – 20 minutes
Serenade – 35 minutes
Intermission – 15 minutes
Stars & Stripes – 32 minutes
War Memorial Opera House
Programming, casting, and prices subject to change.
This dazzling program showcases the genius of George Balanchine, a visionary who shaped contemporary ballet in America. His artistic evolution unfolds in three unforgettable works, each revealing a different facet.
Diamonds, glittering with grandeur, pays homage to Balanchine’s classical roots and command of tradition. Serenade, his first ballet created for American dancers, poetically captures both emotional depth and groundbreaking innovation. Closing out with Stars and Stripes, Balanchine turns a bold, joyful tribute to the American spirit into pure, patriotic spectacle.
Set to the sweeping scores of Tchaikovsky and John Philip Sousa, this program is a vibrant journey through the legacy of one of the 20th century’s greatest choreographers.
Experience Balanchine’s unmatched artistry brought to life on stage. Brilliant, bold, and not to be missed.
JOIN US AFTER THE PERFORMANCE
Enjoy line dancing in the lobby Sundance Saloon for select performances. Performances are for 30 minutes. You’re welcome to participate.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
- Feb 11
- Feb 12
- Feb 14 matinee
- Feb 14 evening
- Feb 15 matinee
SPECIAL OFFER
Enter promo VALENTINE to save 25% on all evening performances of Balanchine in all seating sections.*
RUSH FOR ALL
Rush tickets, when available, will be announced here on our website approximately 48 hours in advance and go on sale the day of the performance starting at 10 am, and go off sale the hour before curtain.
We’re pleased to announce limited Rush tickets for Balanchine on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30pm and Wednesday 11 at 7:30 pm.
Enter promo code RUSHBALANCHINE to access discounted prices ranging from $35 – $99. *
Diamonds – 34 minutes
Intermission – 20 minutes
Serenade – 35 minutes
Intermission – 15 minutes
Stars & Stripes – 32 minutes
War Memorial Opera House
Programming, casting, and prices subject to change.
Tamara Rojo on Balanchine
Eugene Onegin is a richly layered and deeply human exploration of love, regret, and the heart’s fragility. Resident Choreographer Yuri Possokhov’s world premiere brings new depth to Alexander Pushkin’s classic, where a single choice alters the course of a life.
Hear from the Artists
BALANCHINE: BOOK TALK
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Join us for a special book talk and book signing event with Elizabeth Kendall, author of Balanchine Finds His America: A Tale of Love Lost & Ballet Reborn and Balanchine and the Lost Muse: Revolution and the Making of a Choreographer.
TAMARA ROJO AND ELIZABETH KENDALL IN DISCUSSION WITH JAMES STEICHEN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Join us before the opening night of Balanchine–Father of American Ballet for a special panel discussion with Artistic Director Tamara Rojo and Elizabeth Kendall, author of Balanchine Finds His America: A Tale of Love Lost & Ballet Reborn and Balanchine and the Lost Muse: Revolution and the Making of a Choreographer.
Moderated by James Steichen, author of Balanchine and Kirstein’s American Enterprise.
MEET THE ARTIST INTERVIEWS
San Francisco Ballet’s Meet the Artist pre-performance talks are back in the Opera House for the 2026 Repertory Season! Join us before Friday evening, Sunday matinee, and other select performances, for an informative talk featuring dancers, choreographers, musicians, and other artists in conversation with a moderator.
Casting & Credits
Tuesday, February 10 AT 7:30 pm
Diamonds
CHOREOGRAPHER
George Balanchine
COMPOSER
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Staged by: Sandra Jennings
Costume Design: after Karinska
Original Lighting Design: Ronald Bates
World Premiere (Jewels): April 13, 1967—New York City Ballet, New York State Theater; New York, New York
SF Ballet Premiere: March 12, 2002—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
© The George Balanchine Trust
Music: Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29, movements 2, 3, 4 & 5. This performance of Diamonds, a Balanchine© Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style© and Balanchine Technique© service standards established and provided by the Trust. Scenery courtesy of Sarasota Ballet. Costumes courtesy of The Australian Ballet.
Serenade
CHOREOGRAPHER
George Balanchine
COMPOSER
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Staged by: Sandra Jennings
Costume Design: after Karinska
World Premiere: March 1, 1935—American Ballet, Adelphi Theater; New York, New York
SF Ballet Premiere: April 18, 1952—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
© The George Balanchine Trust
Music: Serenade in C Major for String Orchestra, Op. 48. This performance of Serenade, a Balanchine© Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style© and Balanchine Technique© service standards established and provided by the Trust. Costumes constructed by Barbara Matera, Ltd., New York, NY.
Stars and Stripes
CHOREOGRAPHER
George Balanchine
COMPOSER
John Philip Sousa, arranged by Hershy Kay
Staged by: Sandra Jennings
Costume Design: after Karinska
World Premiere: January 17, 1958—New York City Ballet, City Center of Music and Drama; New York, New York
SF Ballet Premiere: January 19, 1981—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
© The George Balanchine Trust
Music: Presented by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright owner. This performance of Stars and Stripes, a Balanchine© Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style© and Balanchine Technique© service standards established and provided by the Trust. Scenery and Costumes courtesy of BALLET WEST, Adam Sklute, Artistic Director.
Balanchine
Casting & Credits
Tuesday, February 10 AT 7:30 pm
Diamonds
CHOREOGRAPHER
George Balanchine
COMPOSER
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Staged by: Sandra Jennings
Costume Design: after Karinska
Original Lighting Design: Ronald Bates
World Premiere (Jewels): April 13, 1967—New York City Ballet, New York State Theater; New York, New York
SF Ballet Premiere: March 12, 2002—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
© The George Balanchine Trust
Music: Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29, movements 2, 3, 4 & 5. This performance of Diamonds, a Balanchine© Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style© and Balanchine Technique© service standards established and provided by the Trust. Scenery courtesy of Sarasota Ballet. Costumes courtesy of The Australian Ballet.
Serenade
CHOREOGRAPHER
George Balanchine
COMPOSER
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Staged by: Sandra Jennings
Costume Design: after Karinska
World Premiere: March 1, 1935—American Ballet, Adelphi Theater; New York, New York
SF Ballet Premiere: April 18, 1952—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
© The George Balanchine Trust
Music: Serenade in C Major for String Orchestra, Op. 48. This performance of Serenade, a Balanchine© Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style© and Balanchine Technique© service standards established and provided by the Trust. Costumes constructed by Barbara Matera, Ltd., New York, NY.
Stars and Stripes
CHOREOGRAPHER
George Balanchine
COMPOSER
John Philip Sousa, arranged by Hershy Kay
Staged by: Sandra Jennings
Costume Design: after Karinska
World Premiere: January 17, 1958—New York City Ballet, City Center of Music and Drama; New York, New York
SF Ballet Premiere: January 19, 1981—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
© The George Balanchine Trust
Music: Presented by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright owner. This performance of Stars and Stripes, a Balanchine© Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style© and Balanchine Technique© service standards established and provided by the Trust. Scenery and Costumes courtesy of BALLET WEST, Adam Sklute, Artistic Director.
Diamonds
SASHA DE SOLA, HARRISON JAMES
Serenade
WALTZ COUPLE: JASMINE JIMISON AND WEI WANG
RUSSIAN PRINCIPAL: WONA PARK
ANGEL: SASHA MUKHAMEDOV
ELEGY: JOSHUA JACK PRICE
Stars and Stripes
MADELINE WOO, CAVAN CONLEY
1st REGIMENT: Katherine Barkman
2nd REGIMENT: Sasha Mukhamedov
3rd REGIMENT: Esteban Hernández
SUPPORT FOR BALANCHINE: FATHER OF AMERICAN BALLET PROUDLY PROVIDED BY
PROGRAM SPONSORS
Shelby and Frederick Gans
Teri and Andy Goodman
Diamonds
Lead Sponsor
Michael P. N. A. Hormel
Major Sponsors
Ken Yang and Ted Lakey
Sponsors
Ken Yang and Ted Lakey
Serenade
Major Sponsors
Sue and John Diekman
Paul A. Violich
Sponsors
BRAVO
Ron and Susan Briggs
Deborah and Terry Houlihan
Stars and Stripes
Sponsor
Ms. Patricia Rock and Mr. John Fetzer
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
VALENTINE:
Offer expires on February 9, 2026, at 11:59pm. 25% discount is off the single ticket price and excludes the 2pm performances on February 14 and 15. All sales are final. No refunds. Exchanges are subject to availability, restrictions, fees and are at the regular price, not the discounted price. Each ticket includes a $2 or $1 facility fee. Discount does not apply to fees. Casting, programming, and prices are subject to change. Offer does not apply to previously purchased tickets and cannot be combined with other offers.
RUSH FOR ALL:
All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Rush tickets are limited and not available on every seat in every seating section. Limit of 2. Rush tickets go on sale at 10 am on the performance date and end 1 hour prior to curtain. Pricing ranges $35-$99 and may vary from performance to performance. Casting, programming, and prices are subject to change. Tickets are subject to availability. Offer does not apply to previously purchased tickets and cannot be combined with other offers.