Holiday Cirque
December 02, 2024
Overview
Troupe Vertigo’s spellbinding performances ignite the imagination through stunning physical feats choreographed into works of art. In their return to the San Francisco Symphony, the company brings their innovative mix of circus, dance, and theater to a festive new holiday show.
Part of HOLIDAYS WITH THE SYMPHONY
Concert Extras
Celebrate the holidays with the SF Symphony and stroll through the winter wonderland of a decked out Davies Symphony Hall, filled with giant lit trees, wreaths, and garlands. While you’re here, treat yourself at the lobby bar with festive winter cocktails, such as a Gingerbread Old Fashioned, limited-time sparkling wine, and special holiday desserts throughout December. And don't forget to visit the hot chocolate cart!
Program
Don
Sebesky
Christmas Scherzo
Leon
Jessel
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
Piotr Ilyich
Tchaikovsky
Selections from The Nutcracker Suite
Ralph
Williams (arr. Ralph Greaves)
Fantasia on Greensleeves
Robert
Wendel
Caribbean Sleigh Ride
Alan
Silvestri
“Believe” from The Polar Express
Leroy
Anderson
Sleigh Ride
Mykola
Leontovich (arr. Richard Hayman)
Carol of the Bells
Ming Luke
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Conductor
Ming Luke serves as music director and principal conductor of the Nashville Ballet, education director for the Berkeley Symphony, and music director for the Las Cruces (New Mexico) Symphony, Merced Symphony, and Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra. He has also appeared with San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, New York City Ballet Orchestra, San Diego Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Bolshoi Orchestra, and collaborated with leading choreographers including Mark Morris, Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, Cathy Marston, Benjamin Millepied, and David Dawson. His recent performances at Classical Tahoe were broadcast on PBS, and as a pianist, he has soloed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, and San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. He made his San Francisco Symphony debut with a virtual Chinese New Year concert in January 2021 and made his live debut in December 2023.
Luke has been recognized nationally for his work in music education and has designed and conducted more than 150 education concerts and programs with organizations including the Berkeley Symphony, Houston Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, and San Francisco Opera. He has served on grant panels for the National Endowment of the Arts and the Grants and Cultural Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. He holds a master of fine arts in conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor of music in music education and piano pedagogy from Westminster Choir College.
Luke has been recognized nationally for his work in music education and has designed and conducted more than 150 education concerts and programs with organizations including the Berkeley Symphony, Houston Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, and San Francisco Opera. He has served on grant panels for the National Endowment of the Arts and the Grants and Cultural Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. He holds a master of fine arts in conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor of music in music education and piano pedagogy from Westminster Choir College.
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