Forsythe’s
Feb 27 – Mar 8
A Trilogy of Electrifying Innovation
PROLOGUE
COSTUME DESIGN
William Forsythe
James Blake
THE BARRE PROJECT
COSTUME DESIGN
William Forsythe
James Blake
BLAKE WORKS I
COSTUME DESIGN
William Forsythe
James Blake
Madeline Woo // © Studio Schuller for San Francisco Ballet
Prologue – 13 minutes
Film – 3 minutes
The Barre Project – 19 minutes
Intermission – 20 minutes
Blake Works I – 32 minutes
War Memorial Opera House
Programming, casting, and prices subject to change.
Step into the future of ballet with The Blake Works, a thrilling program that ignites the stage with raw energy and innovation. In this electrifying three-part series, William Forsythe, one of the most influential choreographers of our time, pairs his ground-breaking movement with the evocative vocals and electronic score of Grammy Award-winner James Blake.
High-octane, rhythmically charged, and visually striking, The Blake Works redefines what ballet can be. Forsythe’s signature deconstructed aesthetic meets Blake’s evocative soundscape to create a kinetic experience that is as daring as it is unforgettable.
Making its San Francisco Ballet premiere as a full evening, this program merges Forsythe’s Blake Works I with Company premieres of Prologue and The Barre Project in a celebration of his relentless drive to push ballet into uncharted territory. This is ballet like you’ve never seen it.
JOIN US AFTER THE PERFORMANCE
All evening performances will include an after party. DJ to be announced at a later date.
Prologue – 13 minutes
Film – 3 minutes
The Barre Project – 19 minutes
Intermission – 20 minutes
Blake Works I – 32 minutes
War Memorial Opera House
Programming, casting, and prices subject to change.
An arrow to the future
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.
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.
Special Offers
season packages
Pick Eugene Onegin and one other program and save up to 20% off the single ticket price* with a CYO Duet package.
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
season packages
Pick Eugene Onegin and one other program and save up to 20% off the single ticket price* with a CYO Duet package.
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
single tickets
Plan a night to remember with single performance tickets. Limited-time offers available* – including student, senior, and group discounts. Treat yourself to an evening of artistry and elegance.
30% off the following dates:
Saturday January 24 – 8PM
Saturday January 24 – 2PM (MAT)
Sunday January 25 – 8PM
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Credits
Prologue (SF Ballet Premiere)
Choreography, Scenic and Costume Design: William Forsythe
Composer: James Blake
Lighting Design: Tanja Ruehl
Staged by: Jodie Gates and Noah Gelber
World Premiere: May 10, 2023—Ballet Company Teatro alla Scala; Teatro alla Scala; Milan, Italy
SF Ballet Premiere: February 27, 2026—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
The Barre Project (SF Ballet Premiere)
Choreography, Scenic and Costume Design: William Forsythe
Composer: James Blake
Lighting Design: Tanja Ruehl, based on the original design by Brandon Stirling Baker
Staged by: Jodie Gates and Noah Gelber
Originating from The Barre Project (Blake Works II), created and filmed in 2020 for its broadcast on March 25, 2021 on the CLI Studio Digital Platform www.clistudio.com
SF Ballet Premiere: February 27, 2026—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
Blake Works I
Choreography and Scenic Design: William Forsythe
Composer: James Blake
Costume Design: Dorothee Merg and William Forsythe
Lighting Design: Tanja Ruehl
Staged by: Jodie Gates, Felipe Diaz, and Katita Waldo
Original staging (2022): Ayman Harper
World Premiere: July 4, 2016—Paris Opera Ballet, Palais Garnier; Paris, France
SF Ballet Premiere: February 3, 2022—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
Sound Supervisor for The Blake Works: Niels Lanz. Music: Prologue — “Lindisfarne I” from James Blake (2011); The Barre Project — “Buzzard & Kestrel” from The Bells Sketch (2010), “Lullaby for My Insomniac” from Assume Form (2019), and “200 Press” from 200 Press (2014). Blake Works I — Songs from The Colour in Anything (2016): “I Need a Forest Fire,” “Put That Away and Talk to Me,” “The Colour in Anything,” “I Hope My Life (1-800 Mix),” “Waves Know Shores,” “Two Men Down,” and “f.o.r.e.v.e.r.” Costumes constructed by San Francisco Ballet Costume Shop.
SUPPORT FOR THE BLAKE WORKS PROUDLY PROVIDED BY
Program Sponsors
Anonymous
E.L. Wiegand Foundation
Yurie and Carl Pascarella
Randee Seiger
Prologue
John G. Kerns
The Barre Project
Mrs. Katie M. Colendich and Mr. Albert d’Hoste
Jan and Bob Newman
Kacie and Michael Renc
Blake Works I
Kathleen Grant, M.D. and Thomas Jackson, M.D.
Miriam Sedman and Ralph Nyffenegger
SF Ballet Young Patrons Circle
Ken Yang and Ted Lakey