S.F. Ballet to present bold debut works

Unlike the usual practice of offering a new work in an evening of classics and revivals, the festival will present three unprecedented premiere-only programs, with company dancers performing role debuts in everything.

Participating choreographers include neoclassic greats Paul Taylor and James Kudelka; the best of bold innovators such as Mark Morris and Christopher Wheeldon and prominent artists with local careers: Margaret Jenkins, and the ballet’s own Julia Adam, Val Caniparoli and Yuri Possokhov.

Styles and stories among the new works have a tremendous variety. Here’s the complete festival lineup:

Program A: Paul Taylor’s “Changes,” to music by John Phillips, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and John Hartford; Christopher Wheeldon’s “Within the Golden Hour,” to music by Ezio Bosso; Yuri Possokhov’s “Fusion,” to music by Graham Fitkin and Rahul Dev Burman (April 22, 25, 27, May 1, 4).

Program B: Stanton Welch’s “Naked,” to music by Poulenc; Julia Adam’s “A rose by any other name,” to music by Bach; James Kudelka’s “The Ruins Proclaim the Building Was Beautiful,” to music by Rodney Sharman; Mark Morris’ “Joyride,” to commissioned music by John Adams (April 23, 26, 29, May 2, 3, 4).

Program C: Margaret Jenkins’ “Thread,” to music by Paul Dresher; Val Caniparoli’s “Ibsen’s House,” to music by Dvorak; Jorma Elo’s “Double Evil,” to music by Philip Glass and Vladimir Martinov (April 24, 26, 30, May 3, 6).

The ballet is hosting a symposium, “Sustaining Dance in the 21st Century: Striking a Balance,” in conjunction with the festival’s opening, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Panelists include John Crawford, Judith Mackrell, Muriel Maffre, Nancy Reynolds, Helgi Tomasson, Allan Ulrich and Christopher Wheeldon.

IF YOU GO

New Works Festival

Presented by San Francisco Ballet

Where: War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco

When: Tuesday through May 6

Tickets: $15 to $265

Contact: (415) 865-2000 or www.sfballet.org