The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2011-12 with the U.S. premiere of Ballet Preljocaj’s Blanche Neige (Snow White), described by the center’s executive director as “the greatest story ballet of our new century.”

“This is the most important premiere ever presented at the Mondavi Center, a sign of how much our international recognition has grown in our first 10 years,” Executive Director Don Roth wrote in his introduction to the new season brochure.

French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj’s contemporary ballet, a grown-up retelling of the Grimm fairy tale, is set to music by Gustav Mahler.

Two performances are scheduled: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 17, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18. A food and wine gala is planned for March 17 — celebrating the center’s namesakes, Robert and Margit Mondavi, and the 10th anniversary.

Roth said the new season comprises “an abundance of riches,” including the New York Philharmonic’s first-ever appearance ever at the Mondavi Center, two concerts by the San Francisco Symphony (and another by the San Francisco Symphony Chamber Ensemble), a talk by filmmaker Oliver Stone in the Distinguished Speakers series, and the Yamato taiko drum ensemble.

The season also includes a celebration of New Orleans’ resilient spirit, post-Hurricane Katrina, with live jazz and a Spike Lee film, If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise; and Focus on India, developed with faculty members —a film and photo exhibition in November, and music and dance in the spring.

The 2011-12 season also features a broad selection of Mondavi Center favorites, including the Wayne Shorter Quartet, k.d. lang and The Siss Boom Bang, The Chieftains, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and the Alexander String Quartet (this year featuring the works of Dvorak).

Subscriptions are set to go on sale on Saturday, April 9, and while most people do their buying online or by phone, the Mondavi Center plans an open house in the lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, to offer in-person assistance.

Regular hours at the box office at noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Telephone: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787.

The center is once again offering discounts to staff and faculty:

• Prepackaged series — 30 percent off regular ticket prices and 25 percent off add-on tickets throughout the season.
• Choose-your-own plans (five or more events) — 25 percent off regular ticket prices and 20 percent off additional purchases throughout the season.

All tickets for students and children are 50 percent off.

Single-event tickets are scheduled to go on sale Aug. 12.

More information is available online.

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