Houston Ballet Brings MADAME BUTTERFLY to Miller Outdoor Theatre, Now thru 5/12

Today, May 10, 11, and 12, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. Houston Ballet returns to Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park to present three FREE performances of Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch's signature work Madame Butterfly in honor of the 90th anniversary of this beloved venue. ?For more information, visit www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Set to Puccini's powerful score with lavish costumes and sets by Peter Farmer, Stanton Welch's Madame Butterfly is a stunning achievement in neoclassical ballet that has been an international success, with performances on three continents. The evening will open with the pas de deux from the 19th-century classic Flower Festival in Genzano and the exquisite classical set piece Grand Pas Classique, a duet set to music by Daniel Auber showcasing the virtuosity of two superb classical dancers.

"We are honored to help Miller Theatre celebrate its 90th anniversary," commented Houston Ballet Executive Director James Nelson. "For over three decades, Houston Ballet has brought great nineteenth century classical works as well as cutting edge contemporary pieces for audiences in Houston to enjoy in the idyllic environment of Hermann Park. With the incredible variety of genres and performers that it presents, Miller Outdoor Theatre is a cultural treasure that greatly enriches the life of our city. We at Houston Ballet are proud to have partnered with Miller to bring the joy of dance to Houstonians."

While all performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre are FREE of charge, performances require tickets to the seated area. Tickets are available on the day of the performance from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Miller Theatre Box Office. Any tickets remaining are distributed one hour before curtain. There is a limit of four tickets per person. Please call 281.FREE.FUN (281-373-3386) for further ticket information or visit www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

The pas de deux from Flower Festival in Genzano holds a special place in Houston Ballet's history. Houston Ballet first performed theFlower Festival pas de deux in May 1969 as part of the first performances by the professional company in Houston at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, in a staging of the work by James Clouser, who went on to serve as acting artistic director of Houston Ballet from 1975-1976.

Premiered by The Australian Ballet in 1995, Madame Butterfly was Mr. Welch's first full-length ballet. The production features beautiful scenery and costumes by English designer Peter Farmer to bring to life the mystery and stillness of 19th-century Japan. The love story of a beautiful Geisha Cio-Cio San and a handsome American, Lieutenant Pinkerton, is told in an exhilarating two-act ballet. Cio-Cio San renounces her faith and her family to wed Lieutenant Pinkerton.

Since its premiere, Madame Butterfly has become Mr. Welch's international signature piece, having entered the repertoires of Houston Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet West, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. The work was revived in 2011 after a long absence from The Australian Ballet's repertoire, with performances in Sidney and Melbourne winning glowing notices from the critics. "This ballet, restored to its rightful place in the repertoire through this opulent production, is never less than enchanting and, indeed, gripping... The brilliant pas de deux which brings to a climax, quite literally, Act One it is breathtaking," enthused the critic for The Herald Sun on February 28, 2011.

These performances of at Miller Outdoor Theatre are sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Foundation and the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board.

Photo Credit - Ballet: Madame Butterfly; Dancer(s): Artists of Houston Ballet. Photo: Amitava Sarkar.

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