Houston Ballet opens its 2023 – 2024 season full of celebration and creative storytelling with the much-anticipated return of choreographer legend John Neumeier’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, September 8 – 17.
“For me, ballets are never repeated – only recreated,” says John Neumeier. “The amazing thing about Shakespeare’s works is that these characters exist behind the words. Even if you have seen this production, dance is a living art which can only live in the present tense. A ballet is a live, living art, that must be performed as if it has never been before, making each performance new.”
The first Mixed Repertory program of the season, Tutu, will run September 21 – October 1. This triple bill showcases Stanton Welch’s breathtaking Tu Tu, the Houston Ballet premiere of George Balanchine’s iconic Stars and Stripes, and the world premiere of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Delmira. Inspired by 20th-century Uruguayan poet Delmira Agustini, a pioneer of the modernist era, this new work features a commissioned score by Colombian composer Juan Pablo Acosta, costumes designed by Mark Eric, and set and lighting design by Christopher Ash and Solomon Weisbard.
Stanton Welch AM continues to bring world-renowned repertoire to Houston audiences as he enters his 20th season with the Company as Artistic Director. Joining Welch in the role of Artistic Director this season is Julie Kent where presenting performances of the highest caliber and introducing the world’s most impressive emerging choreographers continues to be a priority.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Choreographer: John Neumeier | Music: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Gyorgy Ligeti
September 8 – 17, 2023
Based on Shakespeare’s joyous romantic comedy, John Neumeier’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows the hijinks and hilarity that occur when a well-intentioned plan with a love potion goes awry. Following the thread of interwoven romances, the ballet travels from the Court of Athens to the Fairy Realm where mayhem ensues. By cleverly combining the music of Mendelssohn, Ligeti and traditional organ music, the score transports the audience into a fantasy world through choreography that demonstrates the narrative power of ballet. Houston Ballet was the first North American company to perform this distinguished work in 2014.
Tutu
Tu Tu | Choreographer: Stanton Welch AM | Music: Maurice Ravel
Stars and Stripes (Houston Ballet Premiere) | Choreographer: George Balanchine | Music: John Philip Sousa, arranged by Hershy Kay
Delmira (World Premiere) | Choreographer: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa | Music: Juan Pablo Acosta, arranged by Katherine Burkwall-Cison
September 21 – October 1, 2023
Welch’s Tu Tu is full of agility and speed, with tongue-in-cheek choreography that showcases the Company’s superb classical technique. Set to Ravel’s Concerto for Piano in G major, the dancers are outfitted in brilliantly colored costumes inspired by Gustav Klimt’s gold-hued paintings. The Company adds a new Balanchine work to its repertoire with Stars and Stripes. In all-American costumes with exuberant patriotic touches, this classic Balanchine work is set to several rousing marches from John Philip Sousa. The program is capped with Delmira, a world premiere by Colombian-Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.
This production is made possible through the Houston Arts Alliance through the City of Houston.
