San Francisco Ballet
Program 3
"Variations for Two Couples," "The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude," "Manifesto," "The Kingdom of the Shades"
War Memorial Opera House
San Francisco, CA
February 24, 2015
by Rita Felciano
copyright © Rita Felciano 2015
If anyone has doubts about the viability of Western dance's classical language, the four works that grace SFB's program 3 should convert even the most entrenched skeptic. It's not that these pieces -- the newest a world premiere, the oldest dating back to 1877 -- are flawless but that they grapple with a demanding vocabulary that yet is porous enough to let in fresh air. SFB rose to the challenge of pure, intricate and pristine dance with performances that were as disciplined as they were vibrant. A pleasure all the way around.
San Francisco Ballet in "Manifesto." Photo © Erik Tomasson