City Ballet of San Diego Presents 2025-26 Season
The critically acclaimed City Ballet of San Diego, directed by Artistic Director Steven Wistrich and Associate Artistic Director Ariana Gonzalez, offers a season of both classical ballets and contemporary ballets from a diverse set of choreographers sure to thrill audiences of all ages. “We have assembled a season designed to showcase ballet at its best for audiences in both downtown San Diego and North County,” said Steven Wistrich.
In September, the company will present a program titled “Sinatra,” that includes Resident Choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich’s version of “The Seasons” to Alexander Glazunov’s enchanting score and Resident Choreographer Geoffrey Gonzalez’s reprise of last summer’s Summer Wind, showcasing favorite Frank Sinatra songs. This is a unique outdoor experience that offers ‘ballet under the stars’ at the Epstein Family Amphitheater on the UCSD campus.
The Fall program in October is the full-length “Giselle” with music by Adolphe Adam. Elizabeth Wistrich’s choreography after Jules Perrot, Jean Coralli and Marius Petipa captures the retelling of one of ballet’s most beloved romantic masterpieces enhanced by opulent scenery and costumes with a large cast of dancers. The iconic title role will be danced by City Ballet principal dancers Ariana Gonzalez and Sumire Ito. This program will be performed at California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
In December, “The Nutcracker,”which received the Tommy Award for the “Best Nutcracker” in San Diego, offers six performances at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido accompanied by the City Ballet Orchestra with John Nettles conducting. A beloved classic, “The Nutcracker” retells the Victorian-era story of the adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer and the Sugar Plum Fairy through a magical theatrical experience to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s famous score. Young and old alike will be captivated by Elizabeth Wistrich’s choreography, the exquisite costumes, and grand sets.
The March program, titled “Rhapsody in Blue,” will feature Geoffrey Gonzalez’s exciting and brilliant take on George Gerswin’s classic, jazz inspired piece composed in 1924. The program includes the return of “Ecliptic,” a contemporary work created by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa who is one of today’s most acclaimed choreographers in the ballet world. Completing the program is the San Diego premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s “The American,” a romantic neoclassical ballet filled with invention inspired by Antonín Dvo?ák’s dreamy score. Performances will be presented at both the Balboa Theatre and California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
Closing the season in May at the California Center for the Arts with the City Ballet Orchestra is Resident Choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich’s new version of “The Firebird,” set to Igor Stravinsky’s famous score and tells the story of a young girl with mystical powers. Completing the program is the company’s premiere performances of the full-length version of “Who Cares?” choreographed by the great George Balanchine, founding artistic director of the New York City Ballet and widely considered the father of American ballet.
This season’s programming includes a special production of “The Sleeping Beauty,” created to introduce young children and their families to the world of ballet.
For information and tickets, call City Ballet’s Box Office (858) 272-8663 or via www.cityballet.org.
Category: Art, Dance, Entertainment, Events, Historical, Local News, Nonprofit
