In April 2026, the radiant dancers of American Ballet Theatre will bring to life the enchanting world of Sylvia at the illustrious Segerstrom Hall, accompanied by the refined artistry of the Pacific Symphony. This long-awaited engagement promises not merely a performance, but an immersion into a realm where mythology breathes, love defies destiny, and beauty unfolds in its purest form.
At the heart of this sumptuous production lies the celestial music of Léo Delibes, whose score shimmers with elegance, tenderness, and luminous charm. So profound was its impact that the great Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky himself confessed admiration bordering on reverence, recognizing in Sylvia a musical jewel of extraordinary refinement. Each phrase seems to float like golden light, gently carrying the dancers through moments of heroic grandeur and intimate poetry.
This staging, rooted in the visionary genius of Frederick Ashton, embodies the essence of classical ballet at its most expressive and sophisticated. Ashton’s choreography breathes with musical intelligence and emotional nuance, weaving intricate footwork, sculptural poses, and tender pas de deux into a living tapestry of grace.
The role of Sylvia herself will be entrusted to an exceptional constellation of ballerinas, each bringing her own distinctive brilliance to the huntress heroine. Among them, Chloe Misseldine enchants with her crystalline purity and youthful radiance; Devon Teuscher captivates with her noble presence and silken lyricism; Catherine Hurlin dazzles with vibrant musicality and spirited attack; Skylar Brandt sparkles with delicate refinement and ethereal lightness; and Hee Seo moves with poetic serenity and exquisite emotional depth.
Each of these magnificent artists embodies Sylvia not merely as a character, but as a living, breathing embodiment of strength and vulnerability. They are at once regal and tender, fierce yet profoundly human—true muses of movement whose expressive arms and eloquent footwork seem to speak directly to the soul. Their presence transforms the stage into a sanctuary of beauty, where every gesture feels inevitable and every moment glows with meaning.
The entire company, united in purpose and passion, will illuminate the stage with sweeping ensembles, exhilarating leaps, and sculptural formations that reveal the full splendor of Ashton’s vision. The orchestra, conductor, and dancers become one living organism, breathing together in perfect harmony.
This California engagement is part of a global celebration of Ashton’s legacy, echoing across continents and resonating as far as the legendary Metropolitan Opera House, where audiences continue to treasure the timeless masterpieces of classical ballet.
To witness Sylvia is to surrender oneself to enchantment—to be carried away by music of rare beauty, by choreography of sculptural elegance, and above all by the luminous, unforgettable ballerinas who embody its heart. In their artistry, one finds not only technical perfection, but something far more precious: poetry made visible.
The golden doors of Segerstrom Hall will open to welcome one of the world’s most illustrious ballet companies, the incomparable American Ballet Theatre. Their arrival in California is not merely a tour—it is a celestial gathering of stars, a constellation of extraordinary artists who will breathe life into the mythical heroine Sylvia. For five unforgettable performances, audiences in Costa Mesa will witness a succession of exceptional ballerinas, each bringing her own poetry, strength, and luminous individuality to this timeless role.
Opening Night – Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 pm
The honor of opening night will belong to the radiant and fast-rising star, Princpal dancer Chloe Misseldine, one of the most exciting young principal dancers of her generation. Trained at the prestigious Orlando Ballet School, she possesses a rare combination of crystalline technique, sculptural purity, and emotional maturity far beyond her years. Promoted to Principal Dancer in 2024, she has already established herself as a magnetic presence in iconic roles such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Giselle, and Tatiana in Onegin.
Misseldine’s artistry is distinguished by her refined musicality, imperial line, and an ethereal serenity that seems to suspend time itself. Her interpretation of the Black Swan at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu in November of last year was met with overwhelming acclaim, earning prolonged ovations and confirming her status as one of ballet’s most captivating emerging luminaries. Her Sylvia promises to be both regal and deeply human—at once a fierce huntress and a tender woman transformed by love.
She will be partnered by the noble and elegant Joo Won Ahn, whose princely bearing and impeccable classicism make him an ideal Aminta, while Cory Stearns brings dramatic intensity to Orion, and Carlos Gonzalez lends sparkling brilliance to Eros.
Friday, April 10 at 7:30 pm
The following evening will mark a highly anticipated debut by Devon Teuscher, a Principal Dancer since 2017 and one of the company’s most deeply respected artists. Born in Pennsylvania, Teuscher is admired for her poetic restraint, expressive refinement, and profound dramatic intelligence. Critics have praised her for embodying “classicism, repose, lyricism, and ardor,” noting her ability to illuminate the stage with quiet emotional radiance.
Her career has been filled with distinguished interpretations, from Juliet in Romeo and Juliet to Myrta in Giselle, and the title role in Jane Eyre, where her subtle emotional depth created an unforgettable portrait. Her debut as Sylvia is eagerly awaited and promises to reveal new dimensions of her artistry—strength softened by vulnerability, and precision infused with luminous grace.
Saturday Matinee – April 11 at 2:00 pm
Born in New York City and trained at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Catherine Hurlin is a ballerina of magnetic power and vibrant theatrical presence. Promoted to Principal Dancer in 2022, she quickly established herself as one of the company’s most commanding artists.
Her repertoire includes triumphant performances as Kitri in Don Quixote, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, and Callirhoe in Of Love and Rage. Hurlin dances with fearless energy, sculptural clarity, and emotional intensity. Her Sylvia will undoubtedly be bold, passionate, and unforgettable—an embodiment of mythic strength and feminine complexity.
She will be partnered by Isaac Hernández, whose noble elegance and heroic line bring an ideal romantic presence to Aminta.
Saturday Evening – April 11 at 7:30 pm
Skylar Brandt, born and raised in Purchase, New York, brings to Sylvia a rare brilliance and crystalline precision. The youngest of three sisters, she trained from childhood with extraordinary dedication and rose through the ranks with dazzling speed.
Her dancing combines diamond-sharp footwork with radiant musical sensitivity and effortless elevation. Brandt possesses an effervescent stage presence that captivates audiences instantly, blending technical virtuosity with warmth and charm. Her Sylvia will shimmer with youthful vitality, grace, and luminous beauty.
Sunday Matinee – April 12 at 1:00 pm
Closing the engagement is the exquisite Hee Seo, born in South Korea and one of the most beloved Principal Dancers in the company’s history. She made history as the first Korean ballerina promoted to principal at American Ballet Theatre and remains admired for her unmistakable artistic voice.
Her dancing has been described as possessing an “unhurried purity,” defined by lyrical openness, humility, and profound emotional sincerity. Seo brings a transcendent quality to every role she inhabits, and her Sylvia will surely be a portrait of poetic elegance—gentle, noble, and deeply moving.
She will be partnered by the remarkable Aran Bell, whose refined sensitivity and effortless elevation create an ideal romantic counterpart.
This extraordinary engagement represents a true procession of stars. Each performance offers a different vision of Sylvia—imperial, tender, fiery, or ethereal—revealed through the unique artistry of five magnificent ballerinas at the height of their powers.
California awaits with open arms. The stage of Costa Mesa will become a sanctuary of beauty, where mythology awakens, music breathes, and the greatest dancers of their generation gather to share their art. For audiences fortunate enough to be present, these evenings will not simply be performances, but memories to treasure for a lifetime.
En avril 2026, les danseurs rayonnants de l'American Ballet Theater donneront vie au monde enchanteur de Sylvia dans la prestigieuse salle Segerstrom, accompagnés par le talent raffiné du Pacific Symphony. Cet événement tant attendu promet bien plus qu'un simple spectacle : une véritable immersion dans un univers où la mythologie prend vie, où l'amour défie le destin et où la beauté se déploie dans toute sa pureté.
Au cœur de cette somptueuse production se trouve la musique céleste de Léo Delibes, dont la partition scintille d'élégance, de tendresse et d'un charme lumineux. Son impact fut si profond que le grand Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski lui-même confessa une admiration frôlant la vénération, reconnaissant en Sylvia un joyau musical d'un raffinement extraordinaire. Chaque phrase semble flotter comme une lumière dorée, portant délicatement les danseurs à travers des moments d'une grandeur héroïque et d'une poésie intime.
Cette mise en scène, née du génie visionnaire de Frederick Ashton, incarne l'essence même du ballet classique dans ce qu'il a de plus expressif et de plus sophistiqué. La chorégraphie d'Ashton, empreinte d'intelligence musicale et de nuances émotionnelles, tisse une trame de grâce vivante, tissée de jeux de jambes complexes, de poses sculpturales et de tendres pas de deux.
Le rôle de Sylvia sera confié à une constellation exceptionnelle de ballerines, chacune apportant sa propre brillance à l'héroïne chasseresse. Parmi elles, Chloé Misseldine enchante par sa pureté cristalline et son éclat juvénile ; Devon Teuscher captive par sa présence noble et son lyrisme soyeux ; Catherine Hurlin éblouit par sa musicalité vibrante et son énergie débordante ; Skylar Brandt scintille de raffinement délicat et de légèreté éthérée ; et Hee Seo se meut avec une sérénité poétique et une profondeur émotionnelle exquise.
Chacune de ces magnifiques artistes incarne Sylvia non seulement comme un personnage, mais comme une incarnation vivante de la force et de la vulnérabilité. Elles sont à la fois royales et tendres, farouches et profondément humaines – de véritables muses du mouvement dont les bras expressifs et les pieds éloquents semblent parler directement à l'âme. Leur présence métamorphose la scène en un sanctuaire de beauté, où chaque geste semble inéluctable et chaque instant vibrant de sens.
L'ensemble de la compagnie, unie par une même passion et un même but, illuminera la scène de mouvements d'ensemble majestueux, de sauts exaltants et de formations sculpturales qui révéleront toute la splendeur de la vision d'Ashton. L'orchestre, le chef d'orchestre et les danseurs ne font plus qu'un, respirant à l'unisson en parfaite harmonie.
Ce spectacle en Californie s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une célébration mondiale de l'héritage d'Ashton, dont l'écho résonne à travers les continents et jusqu'au légendaire Metropolitan Opera House, où le public continue de chérir les chefs-d'œuvre intemporels du ballet classique.
Assister à un ballet comme Sylvia, c'est se laisser envoûter, se laisser emporter par une musique d'une rare beauté, par une chorégraphie d'une élégance sculpturale, et surtout par les ballerines lumineuses et inoubliables qui incarnent son âme. Dans leur art, on découvre non seulement la perfection technique, mais quelque chose de bien plus précieux : une poésie rendue visible.
