SF Ballet ranking?

[tonyalfidi]

Where does San Francisco Ballet rank among the world's great ballet
companies?

http://www.sfballet.org/

Of course I'm a fan of their work, but I'm curious if there's some
official consensus on how prestigious they are.

[Trog Woolley]

Post by tonyalfidi
Where does San Francisco Ballet rank among the world's great ballet
companies?
http://www.sfballet.org/
Of course I'm a fan of their work, but I'm curious if there's some
official consensus on how prestigious they are.

If there are world rankings, then they will probably have been
established by newspaper critics, who are IMO unqualified to rank
ballet companies. By way of example, here in the UK, the Royal
Ballet are cited as being the "best" company in the country and
probably the world. The company always receives glowing reviews
by the critics, most of whom are London based, and rarely venture
out of the capital. The RB never perform in the UK outside of
London and rarely tour overseas.

There is a whole raft of smaller touring companies performing all
over the UK. If I can muster enough money, I seek out these
performances, which are often in very small venues, and I have seen
ballets which I have enjoyed much more than when I have seen the
Royal Ballet. These companies often present their own works, which
are exciting and fresh. How many London critics have I spotted
at these far flung venues? Not one.

The Royal Ballet present the old war horses; Swan Lake, Sleeping
Beauty, Manon, Sylvia, etc. This is what the London viewers want
and expect. It is rare to see a new work in London. It has been
said that the fans of the Royal Ballet want new works, they just
want them all to be Manon.

I've never seen the San Francisco Ballet but I have seen one of
their principals Tiit Helimets many times when he danced with the
Birmingham Royal Ballet. Many of the BRB fans would like to have
him back! I am surprised not to see his wife Molly Smollen listed
among the dancers; perhaps she has retired.

I'm confident the San Francisco Ballet are a fine company and
if you enjoy seeing them, continue to do so. If you consider them
to be the worlds "top ranked" company, then who are we to argue?
My favourite company is the Birmingham Royal Ballet. They are my
"home team" and I love the huge works they stage. I also enjoy and
support the smaller companies in far flung tiny theatres.

[Jim Janney]

Post by Trog Woolley

Post by tonyalfidi
Where does San Francisco Ballet rank among the world's great ballet
companies?
http://www.sfballet.org/
Of course I'm a fan of their work, but I'm curious if there's some
official consensus on how prestigious they are.

If there are world rankings, then they will probably have been
established by newspaper critics, who are IMO unqualified to rank
ballet companies. By way of example, here in the UK, the Royal
Ballet are cited as being the "best" company in the country and
probably the world. The company always receives glowing reviews
by the critics, most of whom are London based, and rarely venture
out of the capital. The RB never perform in the UK outside of
London and rarely tour overseas.
There is a whole raft of smaller touring companies performing all
over the UK. If I can muster enough money, I seek out these
performances, which are often in very small venues, and I have seen
ballets which I have enjoyed much more than when I have seen the
Royal Ballet. These companies often present their own works, which
are exciting and fresh. How many London critics have I spotted
at these far flung venues? Not one.
The Royal Ballet present the old war horses; Swan Lake, Sleeping
Beauty, Manon, Sylvia, etc. This is what the London viewers want
and expect. It is rare to see a new work in London. It has been
said that the fans of the Royal Ballet want new works, they just
want them all to be Manon.
I've never seen the San Francisco Ballet but I have seen one of
their principals Tiit Helimets many times when he danced with the
Birmingham Royal Ballet. Many of the BRB fans would like to have
him back! I am surprised not to see his wife Molly Smollen listed
among the dancers; perhaps she has retired.
I'm confident the San Francisco Ballet are a fine company and
if you enjoy seeing them, continue to do so. If you consider them
to be the worlds "top ranked" company, then who are we to argue?
My favourite company is the Birmingham Royal Ballet. They are my
"home team" and I love the huge works they stage. I also enjoy and
support the smaller companies in far flung tiny theatres.

For a comparison to be meaningful all companies would have to be more
or less alike, and I don't think anyone wants that. It's the
differences that make things interesting.