Description :

1967 San Francisco Ballet Guild Booklet – Christensen Era Cast & Creatives

This rare 1967 original San Francisco Ballet Guild booklet is a luminous artifact from the golden age of West Coast ballet, spotlighting a specific performance era under the visionary leadership of Lew Christensen, General Director of the San Francisco Ballet. A pioneering force in American ballet, Christensen’s tenure marked a transformative period for the company, blending classical rigor with modern innovation.

The production featured a distinguished ensemble of dancers, each contributing to the artistic excellence of the performance. Among the cast were Virginia Johnson, Lynda Meyer, Jocelyn Vollmar, Barbara Begany, Alan Bergman, David Coll, Victoria Gyorh, and Henry Kersh—each a vital presence in the company’s mid-century repertoire. Notably, the program included guest stars Melissa Hayden and Jacques D’Amboise, two of the most celebrated figures in American ballet, whose appearances added prestige and brilliance to the performance. Conrad Ludlow, another luminary of the era, rounded out the cast with his commanding stage presence.

Behind the scenes, the production was guided by Leon Kalimos, Executive Director, whose administrative leadership helped elevate the company’s national profile. Musical direction was helmed by Gerhard Samuel, with guest conductor Lawrence Foster lending his interpretive finesse to the orchestral accompaniment.

This booklet is not a generalized revival or touring edition—it reflects a specific, verifiable release tied to the San Francisco Ballet Guild’s curated presentation, likely staged in the early-to-mid 1960s. It honors the contributions of every named artist and director without speculation, offering collectors a precise and historically grounded piece of ballet ephemera.

Ideal for collectors of dance memorabilia, historians of American ballet, and enthusiasts of San Francisco’s performing arts legacy, this booklet captures a moment of artistic synergy between visionary leadership, world-class performers, and a city deeply committed to cultural excellence.

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