In the midst of its celebratory 50th anniversary season comprised entirely of works created for the company by world-renowned choreographers, Houston Ballet presents Forged in Houston March 12-21.
A 50th anniversary deserves a celebration. But what kind? Houston Ballet’s leaders looked back across the company’s history, starting before the 1969 debut of the company as we know it today.
Thanks to Welch’s love for the music, he and the company are about to unveil their first staging of the mythology-based work, which premiered in a luxe Paris Opera Ballet production in 1876. Sylvia, the tale of a shepherd’s love for a forest nymph, is the first of four full-length story ballets that Houston Ballet has in store from now through June. The coming ones include the other great beneficiary of Delibes’ gifts, Coppélia.
Houston Ballet Principal Ian Casady will be honored for his twenty spectacular years with the company during the Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance on Nov. 30 at the Wortham Center.
It has been quite a year for Houston Ballet, rife with Harvey-related challenges and triumphs, such as taking its place in history as the first North American Company to perform Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s epic drama Mayerling.
Stanton Welch framed his new Nutcracker as a coming-of-age story, with a young Clara at the center of his dazzling holiday ballet, now entering its second year.
When Houston Ballet takes the stage next fall for the Houston premiere of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling, Sept. 22-24 at the Hobby Center, it will surely be new for the audience, yet also be a continuation of a storied relationship between the company and the legendary British choreographer.