San Francisco to Shine as Ballet Capital: Petipa Awards Gala Celebrates Excellence

Esteemed Laureates and World-Class Dancers will Converge for a Spectacular Evening of Ballet Brilliance in San Francisco

San Francisco is set to become the epicenter of ballet excellence as it hosts the highly anticipated Petipa Awards Gala on September 23, 2023. This remarkable event will celebrate the outstanding achievements of Petipa Awards laureates and will showcase the unparalleled artistry of award-winning dancers from prestigious international ballet companies. The Petipa Awards Gala promises an unforgettable night, embracing the timeless legacy of ballet.

Details:

The Petipa Awards Gala, presented by the Petipa Heritage Foundation, will take place at the historic Herbst Theater in San Francisco. This exceptional event will honor the distinguished laureates of the Petipa Awards, paying tribute to legendary figures such as Natalia Makarova, Pierre Lacotte (in memoriam) and others. Audiences will be treated to captivating performances by a stellar cast from esteemed ballet companies including the Paris Opera Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, San Francisco Ballet, Teatro alla Scala, Dutch National Ballet, Compañía Nacional de Danza, and Astana Opera Ballet.

The gala’s performance program will weave together the rich tapestry of ballet’s past and present, featuring a series of premiere works. Highlights include stunning Grand Pas Electrique from Petipa’s forgotten ballet Bluebeard, a mesmerizing excerpt from La Bayadere, and a tribute to Pierre Lacotte’s legacy choreographed by Vasily Medvedev. The evening also showcases contemporary works by world-renowned choreographers including Nacho Duato, Kenneth MacMillan, Yuri Possokhov, Marco Goecke, Edwaard Liang, and Manuel Legris, highlighting the diversity and innovation of ballet today.

VIP ticket holders will enjoy a red carpet arrival, access to the VIP lounge, and a post-performance wine reception in the elegant Green Room of the theater, providing an intimate opportunity to mingle with honored laureates and ballet stars.

Tickets are on sale at the City Box Office.

Petipa Award 2023 laureates:

 

• • Natalia Makarova

• • Pierre Lacotte (in memoriam)

• • Lucia Lacarra

• • Hugo Marchand

• • Dutch National Ballet

Cast of award-winning world ballet stars (subject to change):

 

• • Dorothée Gilbert and Hugo Marchand – Paris Opera Ballet

• • Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko – Teatro alla Scala

• • Elisa Carrillo Cabrera and Mikhail Kaniskin – Staatsballett Berlin

• • Maia Makhateli and Giorgi Potskhishvili – Dutch National Ballet

• • Bakhtiyar Adamzhan – Astana Opera Ballet

• • Sasha De Sola – San Francisco Ballet

• • Lucia Lacarra and Matthew Golding – International Ballet Stars

• • Compañía Nacional de Danza de México

With participation of honored guests, such as Natalia Makarova and Ted Brandsen, Director of Dutch National Ballet.

With support and participation of Bayer Ballet.

About the Petipa Heritage Foundation:

The Petipa Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in California, with a primary focus on preserving and developing the choreographic legacy of Marius Petipa, widely recognized as the father of classical ballet. Our mission is to ensure that the rich heritage of Petipa’s choreography is preserved for future generations.

One of the ways we fulfill our mission is through the Petipa Awards, a prestigious recognition bestowed upon exceptional individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the art of ballet. These awards serve as a celebration and tribute to those who have had a significant impact on the ballet community, acknowledging their invaluable contributions.

By honoring the remarkable Petipa Awards laureates, we aim to actively uphold and promote Petipa’s legacy, ensuring that his artistic influence continues to thrive. We firmly believe that it is crucial for future generations to have access to his iconic works and to experience the enduring impact of his contributions in the vibrant and ever-evolving world of classical ballet.

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