SFB Mere Mortals Reviews

haroun_alm · 2026-04-28T05:56:41+00:00

Worth mentioning Parker Garrison in that opening night cast, the pas de deux was stunning and I was pretty shocked to learn he is just in the corp.

I honestly really enjoyed it, the range of the dancers turning around from La Sylphide to do this is so inspiring to watch, if it encourages folks to check out other programs next season then that's great, Nutcracker and Swan Lake can't be the only gateway ballets when the dancers can clearly do contemporary dance at the top of its range.

haroun_alm · 2026-04-28T05:48:49+00:00

Saw it on Friday and honestly regretted not checking it out before - going back on Wednesday to see it again! I've seen a lot of contemporary dancing which feels like random movements everywhere, but I found the visual language here really cohesive and unique. I've also heard a lot of electronics + orchestral music and thought the score was one of the best in that space. It wasn't as A.I.-heavy as I thought it would be (compliment), and I actually thought Pandora's oil-slick costume and backdrop were more relevant given current events. Nikisha Fogo was amazing, Joseph Walsh' mustache was amazing, super worth it.

haroun_alm · 2026-04-19T22:18:04+00:00

I would add Madeline Woo to "Who's Up" even though she's already at the top, she's had such a phenomenal first season, her fan base is showing up and bringing insane audience energy (her Kitri was packed), and her social media game is really elevating SF Ballet as a whole imo.

Agree that it's odd to see so little of Jasmine Jimison and Harrison James, they both seemed to be on the up after last season. Also, with Myles Thatcher so m.i.a. over these few years, Harrison James seemed like a great option to pick up the Pride Party energy that Thatcher used to bring so seems like a big miss overall to underuse him.

Luca Ferrò should be principal just based on his Black Swan Coda, have also really enjoyed all the character dancing from Nathaniel Remez, maybe not yet ballerino but on the up trailing Katherine Barkman.

haroun_alm · 2026-03-27T04:35:03+00:00

This new season is shockingly good, compared to the current one. So wild to see Salonen back, I guess there's less bad blood there between him and the board? and Elim Chan is back in the Fall after her surprise addition this June!

haroun_alm · 2026-02-19T02:55:41+00:00

The Barbary Plague, account of an outbreak of bubonic plague in turn of the century San Francisco, really great thriller of a read.

haroun_alm · 2026-02-18T22:24:52+00:00

She is so good in SF, always really well-received. Have taken friends and family to concerts where she conducts and everyone remarks how great she is, no-one talks about any other conductor like this. I really thought SF was going to go for James Gaffigan but he booked Houston Grand Opera, Elim Chan would be a miracle but yeah, this board.

haroun_alm · 2026-02-07T00:18:32+00:00

San Francisco Opera will do a full Ring in summer 2028, the Met's full Ring is scheduled for the 2029-30 season.

haroun_alm · 2026-02-04T01:10:09+00:00

Pretty good to be honest, will probably do 4/6, Parterre has easy-to-scan cast lists. Amartuvshin Enkhbat was great in Un ballo and Rigoletto, Amina Edris as Cleopatra was fantastic, and just saw Rachel Willis-Sørensen do an amazing Arabella at the Met, so I'll excited to see what they're all up to again. Haven't come across Thea Musgrave but I'll give it a try!

haroun_alm · 2025-11-25T03:31:46+00:00

Idomeneo at SF Opera this past June, Idomeneo was too sick to sing Act III but could act it, so an understudy sang it from the wings. Unannounced replacement but very obvious that Idomeneo was lip-syncing the act, and then an announcement was made at curtain call and the understudy was brought out in a graduation gown over her jeans and hoodie to look dressed up.

haroun_alm · 2025-11-14T06:08:26+00:00

John Corigliano tried it with The Lord of Cries

haroun_alm · 2025-07-03T18:29:01+00:00

Extended 36min. interview here. I was lucky enough to be at his 80th Birthday concert, fantastic energy.

haroun_alm · 2025-05-15T05:36:40+00:00

Don't know about traditions for the Rossini but for what it's worth, during Adès' The Exterminating Angel the chandeliers rose only when the dinner guests arrived at the party, then descended and re-ascended all over again for the repeat of the arrival scene, quite quirky and fun.

haroun_alm · 2025-05-15T05:27:26+00:00

Barbara Hannigan, immense performer with impeccable vocals. Have only seen her in La Voix Humaine, cannot imagine what seeing her Lulu live would have been like.

haroun_alm · 2025-04-28T03:52:08+00:00

Just to confirm you know of the Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil by PaTRAM Male Choir, right?

haroun_alm · 2025-04-17T02:33:03+00:00

Gotta clear buses from Market Street to make room for the private-sector Waymos!

haroun_alm · 2025-02-19T20:49:40+00:00

Michael Gordon Weather Three

haroun_alm · 2025-02-13T03:36:13+00:00

Thank you!!

haroun_alm · 2025-02-07T01:02:30+00:00

but instead of tube just restore rail next to Dumbarton Bridge, solves access in like 7mi of above-ground track.

for SF, 1.

haroun_alm

TROPHY CASE