THE FIFTH SEASON • HARMONY • MAGRITTOMANIA
THE FIFTH SEASON
Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle when it premiered as “his best ballet yet,” this is a study in contrasts: cool, sophisticated movements coexisting with passionate interludes and minimalistic yet romantic melodies.
HARMONY—WORLD PREMIERE
The world premiere of Helgi Tomasson’s dynamic Harmony, created after SF Ballet’s joyous return to the studios post–shelter-in-place, will be the iconic dancemaker’s final premiere as artistic director and principal choreographer.
MAGRITTOMANIA
Yuri Possokhov’s quirky, imaginative work is inspired by the art of surrealist painter René Magritte, raising the question: Is life something we encounter or create? Bowler hats, oversized green apples, clouds, and other recognizable iconography of Magritte’s work infuse this dreamlike ballet.
COVID SAFETY
Updated 1/20/2022: Per San Francisco city guidelines, beginning February 1, 2022, San Francisco Ballet will require up-to-date vaccination, including proof of a COVID-19 booster—received at least one week prior to the performance they are attending—for entrance into the venue. This expands upon the Company's current requirement that all patrons ages 12 and up present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and audience members under the age of 12 to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test (PCR test taken within 48 hours of the performance start time or antigen [rapid] test within 24 hours of the performance start time).
Patrons will also be required to show a photo ID alongside proof of vaccination and booster shot to enter. Patrons can show either paper or electronic documentation (including a photo of the card).
If your child under the age of 12 does not meet the two-week or greater completion requirement to qualify as being fully vaccinated, they must show proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within one day for antigen or two days for PCR tests prior to entry into the War Memorial Opera House or 455 Franklin Street. Fully vaccinated children under 12 may present proof of full vaccination and if eligible booster shot in lieu of a negative test result.
SF Ballet requires all patrons to wear a N95, KN95, KF94 mask to enter the venue. We will provide a KN95 or equivalent mask upon entry if you do not have one. Masks must be well-fitted and cover the nose, mouth, and chin. Masks are required at all times, regardless of age, while inside the War Memorial Opera House. Food and drinks are not permitted inside the auditorium to ensure masks are worn throughout the performance.
Click the Learn More button or visit sfballet.org/safety for more information and policy details.
San Francisco Ballet is carefully monitoring the evolving pandemic and continues to follow the health guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, the State of California, and the City and County of San Francisco. We cannot wait to get back on the Opera House stage and as an organization, we are planning accordingly to ensure the safety of audiences, artists, and staff.
Apr 2–16, 2022
The Fifth Season
Composer: Karl Jenkins
Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson
Harmony (World Premiere)
Composer: Jean-Philippe Rameau
Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson
Magrittomania
Composer: Yuri Krasavin after Ludwig van Beethoven
Choreographer: Yuri Possokhov
BEHIND THE SCENES
The Fifth Season
Scenic and Costume Design: Sandra Woodall
Lighting Design: Michael Mazzola
World Premiere: March 28, 2006—San Francisco Ballet, War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
Music: String Quartet No. 2 and “Largo” from Palladio, used by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright holder. Costumes constructed by Birgit Pfeffer, Groveland, California. Handpainting by Connie Strayer, Los Altos, California. Scenic construction and painting by San Francisco Ballet Carpentry and Scenic Departments.
The 2006 world premiere of The Fifth Season was made possible by The Herbert Family and the Phyllis C. Wattis Fund of the SF Ballet Endowment Foundation.
Harmony World Premiere
Scenic and Costume Design: Emma Kingsbury
Lighting Design: Jim French
World Premiere: April 2, 2022—San Francisco Ballet, War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
Music: All music is by Jean-Philippe Rameau from Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin (1727); Les Boréades: Act 4, Scene 4 (1763); Pièces de clavecin en Concerts: Cinquieme concert (1741); Pigmalión: Scene V, 2nd Pantomime (1748). Costumes constructed by Colin Davis Jones Studios, New York, New York. Scenic construction and painting by San Francisco Ballet Carpentry and Scenic Departments.
Magrittomania
Scenic and Costume Design: Thyra Hartshorn
Lighting Design: Kevin Connaughton
World Premiere: March 30, 2000—San Francisco Ballet, War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
Music: Selections by Ludwig van Beethoven, arranged by Yuri Krasavin: Diabelli Variations, Op. 120 (Variation No. 33); Bagatelle in A minor for Piano, Op. 59 “Fur Elise”; Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15 (Mvt. 3); Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10/3; Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” (Mvt. 1); Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (Mvt. 2); Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica” (Mvt. 4); Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 “Waldstein” (Mvt. 3); Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata” (Mvt.1). Yuri Krasavin: Excerpts from film scores. Costumes constructed by Cincinnati Ballet Costume Shop, Diana Vandergriff, Supervisor. Scenic construction and painting by San Francisco Ballet Carpentry and Scenic Departments. All photographs taken by Thyra Hartshorn, except photograph of GUM in Moscow, Russia, taken by Damian Smith.
The 2000 world premiere of Magrittomania was made possible in part by the Phyllis C. Wattis New Works Fund.