Balanchine, Millepied and Dawson

Program 2 of the San Francisco Ballet's 2019 repertory season features an exciting program of boundary-pushing dance, marrying the music of Mozart and the choreography of Balanchine in the resplendent Divertimento No. 15, as well as showcasing a dynamic new work by French choreographer Benjamin Millepied and David Dawson's exploration of the extremes of physical dance Anima Animus.

Upon its debut in 1956, Divertimento No. 15 was hailed by critics as one of the most exquisite displays of classical dance ever set to Mozart. The eight-dancer-ensemble-work flawlessly blends a sense of serenity, chivalry and space with dazzling speed, musical precision and calm execution, striking a deeply satisfying dialogue between music and dance that is simply breathtaking to behold. This virtuosic work is yet another example of why Balanchine and his genre-defining artistry affords so much fuss and praise.