Choreographer

Experience the intensity and drama of "CARMEN" – a tale of passion and jealousy, brought to life by the City Ballet of San Diego. This visually spectacular one-act production, set against the vibrant backdrop of southern Spain, tells the story of Don José, a naïve soldier ensnared by the fiery Carmen. Seduced by her charm, José forsakes his childhood sweetheart and deserts his military duties, only to lose Carmen's love to the glamorous torero Escamillo. 

Join us at the Concert Hall California Center for the Arts, Escondido, for a performance that promises to captivate and enthrall. Under the baton of John Nettles, the City Ballet Orchestra will elevate the experience with live music, featuring the iconic score of "Carmen" by Georges Bizet, arranged by Rodion Shchedrin. Choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich, this production last graced the stage in May 2017 and returns as part of City Ballet of San Diego’s 32nd season finale.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 8:00pm, and Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 2:00pm. Enhance your experience with a free lecture by City Ballet Artistic Director Steven Wistrich, starting 45 minutes prior to each performance, offering insights into the ballet's rich history and production.

Tickets are available as part of a season ticket package, with individual tickets going on sale September 5, 2024. Prices range from $39 to $119, with facility and Ticketmaster/Box Office ticketing fees applicable to all single ticket sales.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the passion, the jealousy, and the ultimate tragedy of "CARMEN" – a ballet that promises to be as unforgettable as its heroine.

Carmen

California Center for the Arts, Escondido

Experience the enchantment of "Swan Lake Act II" with the City Ballet of San Diego, as they bring to life one of ballet's most iconic roles. This mesmerizing performance is a highlight of the 2024-25 season, showcasing the symphonic sweep of Tchaikovsky’s score and the exquisite choreography by Elizabeth Wistrich, inspired by Lev Ivanov's original work. 

Join us at the Balboa Theatre in Downtown San Diego for two unforgettable performances: Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The magic continues at the Concert Hall California Center for the Arts, Escondido, with a performance on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 8:00 pm. Enhance your experience with a free lecture by City Ballet Artistic Director Steven Wistrich, starting 45 minutes prior to each performance, offering deeper insights into the ballet.

Tickets are available now as part of a season ticket package, with individual tickets going on sale on September 5, 2024. Prices range from $39 to $99, with facility and Ticketmaster/Box Office ticketing fees applicable to all single ticket sales. 

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the beauty and drama of "Swan Lake Act II," a testament to the power of classical ballet to convey stories and evoke emotions. Secure your tickets early and prepare for an evening of breathtaking artistry.

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Swan Lake Act II

Balboa Theatre

Experience the enchantment of Shakespeare's timeless tale under the stars with the City Ballet of San Diego's presentation of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." This captivating one-act ballet, choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich, brings to life the whimsical story of fairies, love-torn mortals, and the mischievous Puck in the forest outside Athens, Greece. Set to the beautiful Incidental Music, Op. 61 by Felix Mendelssohn, this performance promises a magical evening filled with much confusion and laughter, until order is restored by Puck's clever interventions.

Join us at the Epstein Family Amphitheater UCSD for two exclusive performances on Friday, July 19, 2024, and Saturday, July 20, 2024, both at 8:00pm. Doors open at 7:00pm, allowing guests to enjoy a pre-performance picnic under the San Diego sky. Indulge in a light picnic dinner, refreshing beverages, snacks, and sweets, with pre-order available from Social Luxury Picnics starting Monday, July 1, 2024.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices ranging from $39 to $59. Please note that facility and Ticketmaster/Box Office ticketing fees will be added to all single ticket sales, varying by venue. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the magic of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" and the world premiere of "Summer Wind," a new ballet set to the music from Frank Sinatra’s songbook by Geoffrey Gonzalez, promising a romantic tone for an unforgettable evening.

Prepare for an evening of gourmet food, refreshing beverages, and exhilarating ballet performances. For more information and to secure your tickets, visit the City Ballet of San Diego's website.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

University of California San Diego

Season 31 closes with two City Ballet favorites. Mozart Concerto is classical ballet at its finest. And the music and choir of Carmina Burana are matched with a powerful Black Tuesday tale that only a high-drama ballet can tell.

Carmina Burana

California Center for the Arts

A program exclusively of firsts. Geoffrey Gonzalez premieres his new ballet, An American in Paris. Elizabeth Wistrich premieres her new ballet, Boléro – The Awakening. And City Ballet adds their first Christopher Wheeldon ballet to their repertoire, Morphoses.

An American In Paris

The Nutcracker is the classic Victorian-era story of the adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer, and the Sugar Plum Fairy told 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. Let your childhood dreams return and inspire you to imagine a bygone time.

The Nutcracker

Two ballets in one family-friendly performance, teaching children about music and dance. First, Peter and the Wolf set to Sergei Prokofiev’s 1936 score recounts Peter’s adventures in the family garden and adjacent forest. And then Stravinsky Pieces turns eight sections from Igor Stravinsky’s suites for chamber orchestra (based on piano music composed for this children) into the perfect introduction to ballet.

Peter and the Wolf

Joan B. Kroc Theatre

The 2023 edition of ON THE MOVE moves to the all-new Epstein Family Amphitheater. WITHOUT BOUNDS showcases three all-new works. Resident Choreographers Elizabeth Wistrich and Geoffrey Gonzalez premiere their new works. And Brian Heil, a native San Diegan and City Ballet dance artist, debuts his first-ever ballet choreographed for City Ballet dance artists.

On The Move

Resident Choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich created a lavish production based on Shakespear’s epic tale of Romeo and Juliet. In the ballet, two teenagers from warring families meet, fall in love, and rush headlong toward their destiny. The magnificent scenery and costumes evoke Renaissance Italy and Sergei Profofiev’s lush score, played by the City Ballet Orchestra, brings this classic love story thrillingly to life. Ballet storytelling at its best.

Romeo & Juliet

Soka Performing Arts Center

City Ballet showcases all-original works as part of their 30th Anniversary Season. The program includes “Beyond the Circle” and “Straw Feet” from Resident Choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich, and “Battu” from Resident Choreographer Geoffrey Gonzalez.
Pre-performance lecture by City Ballet of San Diego Artistic Director Steven Wistrich 45 minutes prior to each performance.

Inspiration in Motion

Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

Showcasing the innovative and stunning ballets by City Ballet’s Resident Choreographers Elizabeth Wistrich and Geoffrey Gonzalez.

The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

The Nutcracker is the classic Victorian-era story of the adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer and the Sugar Plum Fairy told 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. Let your childhood dreams return and inspire you to imagine a by gone time.

The Nutcracker City Ballet

City Ballet of San Diego closes the season with Elizabeth Wistrich’s full-length ballet of Don Quixote – a lavish production based on Miguel de Cervantes epic novel. Follow the adventures of the errant knight, Don Quixote, and his squire, Sancho Panza, on their travels to find the beautiful Dulcinea whom Don Quixote has only seen in his dreams. This is ballet storytelling at its best. This three-act story ballet sensation with its opulent scenery and costumes, complete with moving windmills, is family oriented and filled with humor and magic.

Choreographer

Elizabeth Wistrich

Events

Past events

3 - 4 May, 2025

Carmen · City Ballet of San Diego

8 - 12 Mar, 2025

Swan Lake Act II · City Ballet of San Diego

About

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