The San Francisco Ballet, established in 1933, is the oldest professional ballet company in the United States and one of the most respected dance institutions in the world. Since its inception, SF Ballet has been a leader in presenting traditional ballets as well as creating new works. The company’s repertory includes classic full-length ballets such as The Nutcracker, Giselle and Swan Lake; neoclassical works by George Balanchine; contemporary ballets from emerging choreographers; and new creations from the world’s most sought-after dance makers.
SF Ballet performs for an annual audience of over 100,000 people at multiple venues across Northern California. Every year, during its season running from January to May, SF Ballet presents a variety of programs that include full-length story ballets, mixed bills featuring both classical and contemporary works, and free community performances. It also tours internationally to major cities such as London, Moscow and Tokyo.
The Length of SF Ballet Performances
Full-length ballets are typically two-and-a-half hours long with a 20 minute intermission. This includes both act one and act two with a curtain call at the end. Mixed bills of shorter works are generally 90 minutes without an intermission.
The Annual Season
SF Ballet’s annual season generally runs from January through May each year. The majority of performances take place at San Francisco’s iconic War Memorial Opera House, located in the heart of downtown San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood. During this time period SF Ballet typically presents between 15–20 different programs including full-length story ballets, mixed bills featuring both classical and contemporary works, free community performances for underserved audiences throughout Bay Area neighborhoods.
San Francisco Ballet is known worldwide for its innovative programming and groundbreaking work that has pushed boundaries for nearly nine decades. It remains one of the world’s premier ballet companies with an impressive roster of dancers who are among some of the best trained in their field.
Conclusion
San Francisco Ballet is one of the oldest and most respected ballet companies in the world. Its performances range from classic full-length story ballets to innovative new creations by top choreographers.
The length of SF Ballet performances vary depending on whether they are full-length or mixed bills with shorter pieces but typically range between 2–2 ½ hours long with or without an intermission. Its annual season typically runs from January through May each year at multiple venues across Northern California including San Francisco’s iconic War Memorial Opera House.