Choreography was interesting: it was intense and clearly conveyed the story (maybe a bit crude in some sense, but perhaps this was necessary for clarity of ballet). This extravagant production is based on Pushkin's Eugene... show more 

Choreography was interesting: it was intense and clearly conveyed the story (maybe a bit crude in some sense, but perhaps this was necessary for clarity of ballet). This extravagant production is based on Pushkin's Eugene Onegin without major deviation from the plot, but with some deviation from mainstream interpretation of the work. For example, I was surprised when the last scene depicted the actual tragedy as something mainly for Tatyana rather then Eugene.

My only actual "complaint" about this work is that when you hear that it will be "Eugene Onegin" with music by Tchaikovsky, you have an INCREDIBLY high expectation. You expect to hear music from the opera itself. Instead, the expectations were not met and the music used in this production was arranged from various other Tchaikovsky compositions. If there was no expectation at all, then this particular production is indeed excellent. However, at no fault of its own, I expected music from the opera and that somewhat hindered my (otherwise excellent!) acceptance of this work. Having said this, I highly recommend seeing SF Ballet's Onegin.
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We were very lucky to find last minute tickets to this concert, which had been sold out for a while. It was my first time seeing Yuja Wang, and she was fantastic--she has incredible technical virtuosity, but still retains a lightness in her... show more 

We were very lucky to find last minute tickets to this concert, which had been sold out for a while. It was my first time seeing Yuja Wang, and she was fantastic--she has incredible technical virtuosity, but still retains a lightness in her touch that I enjoyed greatly, and Beethoven's Fourth is really a beautiful piece.

Regarding the rest of the concert: The premier Adams's work was interesting and different. I also really enjoyed the Brahms, which I learned is sometimes called "Beethoven's 10th Symphony" (look for the Ode to Joy references in the last movement!). But Wang's performance of the Beethoven was the clear standout.
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Being a painter myself, and taking my wife and her sister with us, I found this show completely delightful, insightful and very good. San Jose Stage venue as always did not disappoint and I walked away more than satisfied. I walked away... show more 

Being a painter myself, and taking my wife and her sister with us, I found this show completely delightful, insightful and very good. San Jose Stage venue as always did not disappoint and I walked away more than satisfied. I walked away with many ideas, and intend to implement them into my own art soon. I think this show will be in Berkeley in April 2013, go see it!!!
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