SF BALLET's "Don Quixote"-Enchanting Not to be Missed

SF (San Francisco) Ballet performed the full length ballet "Don Quixote" on Sunday at the War Memorial Opera House. The ballet based on Cervantes titular novel published in Spain in the early 17th C had its world premier in Russia in 1869. This internationally acclaimed ballet had its SF premiere in 2012 as a production under the company's previous Artistic Dir. Helgi Tomasson and in-house choreographer Yuri Possokhov. It's only fitting and fair to comment on the multi-national dancers represented from Russia, China, S Korea, Spain, France, Mexico, Japan, Australia, S Africa, Iceland, Zimbabwe, Taiwan, Canada, England, Brazil, Belgium and of course the US.  Furthermore, there can be no cynicism regarding a homogenous ethnicity amongst the dancers. The only fair generalization is only the creme de la creme artists and executives comprise to create SF's world class company. The ballet was performed to the delight and awe of a packed Opera House. My only gripes (which I have with most full-length ballets) is the drudgery in the beginnings waiting for elaborate dancing to commence, and secondly, the silliness often inherent in the storytelling along with clumsy, buffoonish characters.  Still, I  have one major complaint being a staunch animal lover which was the utilization of the magnificent stallion and demure donkey on stage. It's apparent how regal both animals were and how subdued they were in order to be brought on stage in the first and final acts. I don't believe this warrant the limited holding space for these animals backstage and probably the sedation administered to keep the animals calm.  I view this as animal cruelty and would like put an end to this practice.  These diatribes aside, I will bestow my unreserved praise for the exquisite dancers, magnificent orchestral accompaniment, breathtakingly beautiful costuming and sing the highest praise for incoroprating young dancers from the SF Ballet School who performed as lythe nymphs and cupids during Don Quixote's dream sequence.  One of the young dancers in the cast said, "It gave us all a unique first-hand experience at what it is to be a  professional ballerina".  Of course the highlight of this vivant production are the numerous iconic "kitri jumps" which are jaw dropping in their athleticism and grace. The dancers throw their arms backwards and jete' into the air  defying gravity. The snapping of the fans and orchestral plucking of strings resounded as castanets leaving little doubt as to the savory Spanish flair found in "Don Quixote."  There are still several performances remaining this month.  Make it your quest to capture one of the last performances before it departs.