Father of American Ballet
Feb 10 – Feb 15
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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 13
- 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.*
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
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, 2026 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
Original Lighting Design: Ronald Bates
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
Original Lighting Design: Ronald Bates
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
Conductor: Martin West
SASHA DE SOLA HARRISON JAMES
Kamryn Baldwin, Jihyun Choi, Isabella DeVivo, Seojeong Yun
Rubén Cítores Nieto, Luca Ferrò, Simone Pompignoli, Victor Prigent
Sofia Albers, Carlota Cruz, Jacey Gailliard, Gabriela Gonzalez, SunMin Lee, Elizabeth Mateer, Rimi Nakano, Pemberley Ann Olson, Leili Rackow, Tyla Steinbach, Juliana Wilder, Juliette Windey
Benjamin Davidoff, Parker Garrison, Jakub Groot, Lleyton Ho, Andris Kundzins, Lucas López, Justin-Cooper Meeks, Dylan Pierzina, Asher Stephenson, Benjamin Taber, Alexis Francisco Valdes, Adrian Zeisel
Serenade
Conductor: Martin West
JASMINE JIMISON WONA PARK SASHA MUKHAMEDOV
JOSHUA JACK PRICE WEI WANG
Katherine Barkman, Isabella DeVivo, Carmela Mayo, Julia Rowe
Sofia Albers, Maya Chandrashekaran, Jacey Gailliard, Katharine Lee, SunMin Lee, Elizabeth Mateer, Rimi Nakano, Pemberley Ann Olson,Leili Rackow, Anatalia St. Clair, Tyla Steinbach, Juliana Wilder, Juliette Windey
Rubén Cítores Nieto, Lucas López, Andris Kundzins, Simone Pompignoli
Stars and Stripes
Conductor: Martin West
First Campaign
1st Regiment: Corcoran Cadets
KATHERINE BARKMAN
Julieta Castro, Carly Graham, Aaliyahmarie Key, Katharine Lee, SunMin Lee, Rimi Nakano, Luna Mae Pao, Hui-Wen Peng, Leili Rackow, Tyla Steinbach, Nicole Kosasih Widjaja, Juliette Windey
Second Campaign
2nd Regiment: Rifle Regiment
KAMRYN BALDWIN
Sofia Albers, Rebecca Blenkinsop, Maya Chandrashekaran, Anna Chaziroglou, Carlota Cruz, Jacey Gailliard, Gabriela Gonzalez, Erin Jung, Elizabeth Mateer, Pemberley Ann Olson, Amelia Soh, Anatalia St. Clair, Julian Wilder
Third Campaign
3rd Regiment: Thunder and Gladiator
ESTEBAN HERNÁNDEZ
Rubén Cítores Nieto, Benjamin Davidoff, Parker Garrison, Lleyton Ho, Andris Kundzins, Lucas López, Dylan Pierzina, Simone Pompignoli, Jasper True Stanford, Benjamin Taber, Alexis Francisco Valdes, Adrian Zeisel
Fourth Campaign
Liberty Bell and El Capitan
MADELINE WOO CAVAN CONLEY
Fifth Campaign
All Regiments
Casting is subject to change
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