Ballet San Jose Opens 2014 Season with NEOCLASSICAL TO NOW, 2/14-16

Following its tremendously successful gala in November-which featured some of the world's top ballet stars from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and Boston Ballet-and annual Nutcracker performances, Ballet San Jose will open its first repertory season planned by new Artistic Director José Manuel Carreño February 14-16 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. The program will feature the Company premiere of Israeli choreographerOhad Naharin's inventive and popular Minus 16, the return of Balanchine's sublimely neo-classical Serenade-the first ballet he choreographed in the U.S.-and Jorma Elo's Glow-Stop, which was a hit of Ballet San Jose's 2013 season. Performances will be given Friday, February 14, at 8 pm; Saturday, February 15, at 1:30 and 8 pm; and Sunday, February 16, at 1:30 pm.

For his first season, new Ballet San Jose Artistic Director José Manuel Carreño has assembled a program that dynamically demonstrates the technical range and mastery of Ballet San Jose and gives audiences a diverse sampling of ballets from the last three-quarters of a century. From the first ballet George Balanchine created in America to last season's runaway hit by Jorma Elo to Ohad Naharin's engaging tour-de-force that sparkles with improvisation and literally brings audience members to their feet, this program has remarkable range and sophistication.

About Ballet San Jose

Ballet San Jose is one of the nation's premier ballet companies and home to Ballet SJ School, the exclusive West Coast partner of American Ballet Theatre. Ballet SJ's mission is to provide our audiences with professional ballet performances that are produced to the highest artistic standard, which contribute to the cultural needs of the community, and that are accessible to the broadest possible audience. The company is firmly committed to providing arts education for children and adults through a ballet school and free outreach programs, focusing on both professional training and general community enrichment.

Tickets are priced $20-$105 and may be purchased at www.balletsj.org or by calling 408-288-2800.