San Francisco Ballet is America’s oldest professional ballet company, enjoying a long and rich tradition of artistic “firsts.” Founded in 1933, the company performed as the San Francisco Opera Ballet, primarily appearing in lavish full-length opera productions and offering rare evenings of “all-dance” programs throughout the year. As early as 1939, Artistic Director Willam Christensen choreographed America’s first full-length production of Coppelia, which was followed in 1940 with the country’s first production of the complete Swan Lake. In 1942, brothers William and Harold Christensen bought San Francisco Opera Ballet, which they renamed San Francisco Ballet. By then, the company had become a leader in the creation of evening-length ballets, including the nation’s first production of Nutcracker in 1944.

In 1951, Lew Christensen, America’s first “premier danseur,” was appointed Director of San Francisco Ballet. Under Christensen’s direction, the Company made its East Coast debut at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (1956) and toured 11 Asian nations (1957), marking the first performances of an American ballet company in the Far East. Later, the company appeared in South America (1958), the Near East (1959), and toured in California for the first time in 1959.

In 1972, after performing in various theaters throughout San Francisco, San Francisco Ballet settled permanently in the War Memorial Opera House for its annual residency. In 1973, Michael Smuin was appointed Associate Artistic Director and celebrated his new partnership with Lew Christensen by collaborating on a full-length production of Cinderella. In 1976, Smuin’s Romeo and Juliet won an Emmy Award as the first full-length ballet shown on PBS’ television series, Dance-In-America. His Tempest also won an Emmy when it was broadcast across the nation, “Live from the Opera House.”

San Francisco Ballet continues to enrich and expand its repertoire. Now, from its rare appearances in the 1930s, San Francisco Ballet presents approximately 100 performances annually. During the Opera House renovations (1996-1997), San Francisco Ballet performed at the Palace of Fine Arts and Center for the Arts Yerba Buena Gardens, both in San Francisco, and Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley.

Pictured: A scene from the San Francisco Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

Photo credit: Mickey Pfleger

For tickets/information, call: 415-865-2000
Hours to call: 10 PM - 6 PM, Monday - Saturday
Tickets are also available by calling BASS Tickets at 415-776-1999 or 510-762-BASS. Groups of 20 or more receive discounts up to 20%; please call the box office for details.

Visit their Web site at: http://www.sfballet.org/