On christmas eve 1944, christensen launched a national holiday tradition with the premiere of nutcracker, the first complete version of the ballet ever mounted in. W hen the san francisco ballet company performed the first complete version of the nutcracker in the u. San francisco ballet was the first professional ballet company in the united states. Join us for this holiday event and you will enjoy a night of specialty cocktails, fabulous hors doeuvres, music, and more. Today, we are a breeding ground for a new generation of dancers.
The first performance of the nutcracker in the united states was by the san francisco opera ballet, in 1944. Discover the history of sf ballets classic ballet, a holiday tradition since 1944 through unreleased archival stills and posters. San francisco ballet auxiliary invites you to an exciting night celebrating the 75th anniversary of san francisco ballets nutcracker. That its founder, willam christensen, staged the first fulllength american productions of coppelia 1938, swan lake 1940, and nutcracker 1944 if you didnt. Imperial ballet s original production of the nutcracker, circa 1900. Americas first nutcracker in sf almost didnt make it.
Some of the talented artists also selected include. The christmas ballet was first performed outside russia in england in 1934. Our history what makes san francisco ballet a different kind of ballet company can be seen every day in the studios of san francisco ballet school. Willam christensens 1944 nutcracker san francisco ballet. San francisco ballet auxiliary invites you to an exciting night celebrating the 75th anniversary of san francisco ballet s nutcracker. The company is currently based in the war memorial opera house, san francisco, under the direction of helgi tomasson. San francisco ballet marks historic 75th anniversary of nutcracker. Willam christensen, director of san francisco ballet from 193851 and the choreographer of americas first fulllength nutcracker, had no idea that he was launching a national holiday tradition. The production was directed by william christensen.
However, by changing a few characters, choreographer george balanchine brought new life to the nutcracker. Willam christensen, director of san francisco ballet from 193851 and the choreographer of americas first fulllength nutcracker, had no idea that he was. The first fulllength production in the united states. Did you know that san francisco ballet was the first professional ballet company in america. In 2012, san francisco ballet embarked on the longest tour in the companys history, with engagements in london and. In an ingenious historical shift, he changed the setting from late 18thcentury europe to a pacific heights. Dennis spaight, who danced with the irish national ballet, bejarts ballet, san francisco ballet, pacific northwest ballet and was oregon ballet theatres associate director and resident choreographer.
As the festivities draw to a close, the sugar plum fairy and uncle drosselmeyer grant clara her greatest christmas wish by transforming her into a beautiful ballerina so that she can dance in the arms of her prince. San francisco ballet is a ballet company, founded in 1933 as the san francisco opera ballet under the leadership of ballet master adolph bolm. Tomassons nutcracker, set in san francisco during the 1915 panama pacific international exposition. Its first united states performance was in 1944 by the san francisco ballet, staged by its artistic director and balanchine student willam christensen. Seventyfive years ago this month, the san francisco ballet made history by holding the first full american performance of the beloved ballet nutcracker.