The Houston Ballet Announces the 2014-2015 Season, Which Includes A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, ROMEO AND JULIET and More

April 26, 2014 marks the 450th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth. In honor of this milestone in world culture, Houston Ballet will present dance interpretations of great Shakespearean works by choreographers from three continents: a lavish new production of Romeo and Juliet by Stanton Welch; the company premiere of John Neumeier's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and a revival of John Cranko's The Taming of the Shrew.

All performances listed here are in Wortham Theater Center.

I A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (1977) Houston Ballet Premiere

Music by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) and Gyorgy Ligeti (1923-2006) Choreography by John Neumeier
Scenic design by Jurgen Rose
Stagers: Janusz Mazon and Niurka Moredo

American choreographer John Neumeier, artistic director of the The Hamburg Ballet since 1973, is one of Europe's most highly regarded dance makers. Houston Ballet is pleased to introduce the first work by Mr. Neumeier into the company's repertoire: his 1977 staging of William Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream, acclaimed by the Hamburger Morgenpost as the "jewel in John Neumeier's œuvre". Featuring lavish scenery and costumes by the acclaimed German designer Jurgen Rose, the ballet brings to vivid life Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy. This production is made possible by the generous support of Phoebe and Bobby Tudor.

At 7:30 pm on September 4, 6, 12, 13, 2014 At 2:00 pm on September 7, 13, 14, 2014

II FROM HOUSTON TO THE WORLD featuring: ONE/end/ONE (2011)

Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Violin Concerto No. 4

Costume Design by Holly Hynes Lighting Design by Christina R. Giannelli Choreography by Jorma Elo

MURMURATION (2012)
Music by Ezio Bosso, Violin Concerto No. 1 "Esoconcerto" Choreography by Edwaard Liang
Costume Design by Edwaard Liang and Laura Lynch Lighting Design by Lisa J. Pinkham

PAQUITA (created 1846, Welch version performed in 2013) Choreography by Stanton Welch, after Marius Petipa
Music by Leon Minkus (1826-1917)
Lighting Design by Lisa J. Pinkham

Houston Ballet's fall mixed repertory program showcases three works that were created for Houston Ballet. Inspired by video of flocks of birds flying in breathtaking unison in the skies of Northern Europe, Edwaard Liang's Murmuration is a deeply spiritual work for eight couples and one male dancer. Set to Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4, Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo brings wit and humor to the extreme technical virtuosity that he demands of the four women and four men featured in ONE/end/ONE. A highpoint of the program will a performance of the dazzling third act of Paquita, the Spanish-flavored classical showpiece that Stanton Welch staged for Houston Ballet in 2013.

At 7:30 pm on September 18, 20, 26, 27, 2014 At 2:00 pm on September 21, 28, 2014

THE NUTCRACKER

Original choreography by Marius Petipa (1892) New Staging by Ben Stevenson (1987)
Music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Choreography by Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.
Scenic and Costume Design by Desmond Heeley Lighting Design by Duane Schuler

A wonderful ballet for the entire family, The Nutcracker is the perfect way to introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical dance. Tchaikovsky's magical score, Desmond Heeley's fairy-tale scenery, and Ben Stevenson's vibrantly theatrical staging combine to create one of the most visually stunning productions of The Nutcracker in the world today. Join Clara on her unforgettable journey as she travels to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, and marvel as the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince dance a pas de deux of crystalline beauty. It's a perfect holiday treat!

November 28 - December 28, 2014

At 7:30 pm Nov. 28*, 29,*30* and Dec. 6, 7*, 12*, 13, 14, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28*

At 2:00 pm on November 29, 30 and Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, *-Indicates discounted performance.

JUBILEE OF DANCE
Houston Ballet will present Jubilee of Dance, a one-night-only event showcasing the depth and range of the company in a program of premieres and high-energy excerpts from signature works and beloved classics.

At 7:30 pm on Friday, December 5, 2014

LOVE LIES BLEEDING (2010)
Performed by Alberta Ballet as part of the Cullen Series Choreography by Jean Grand-Mai?tre
Music by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin

As part of its Cullen Series, Houston Ballet welcomes guest company Alberta Ballet with a spectacular celebration of the music of rock legend Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

The undeniable joy of pop-rock meets the breathtaking athleticism of ballet in the sequined spectacle, Love Lies Bleeding. Alberta Ballet's artistic director Jean Grand-Mai?tre, choreographer of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, conjures a romping and visually spectacular tribute to the work of Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Featuring 14 classic songs, this wild and whimsical piece explores the trials, victories, and sacrifices of achieving super stardom with an unforgettable story of rock 'n' roll, drama, passion - and above all - love. At 8:00 pm on January 30-31, 2015

III ROMEO AND JULIET (World Premiere)

Music by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Choreography by Stanton Welch
Scenery and costumes by Roberta Guidi di Bagno

In February 2015, Houston Ballet will unveil a spectacular new production of Romeo and Juliet, featuring choreography by Stanton Welch and opulent scenery and costumes by the internationally acclaimed Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno. Welch will bring a totally fresh, brilliantly imagined interpretation to Shakespeare's classic story of two star-crossed lovers. With its exquisite score by Sergei Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet is one of the great works of the international ballet repertoire. This production is made possible through the generosity of Ted and Melza Barr.

At 7:30 pm on February 26, 28, March 6,7, 2015 At 1:30 pm on February 28, 2015 March 1, 8, 2015

IV MODERN MASTERS featuring:

BALLO DELLA REGINA (created 1978, performed by Houston Ballet in 2010) Music by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), from the opera Don Carlos
Choreography by George Balanchine (1904-1983)
Designs by Ben Benson

Lighting by Ronald Bates Stager: Merrill Ashley

JARDI TANCAT (created 1983, performed by Houston Ballet in 2009)
Songs by Maria del Mar Bonet
Choreography, Scenic and Costume Design by Nacho Duato
Lighting Design by Nicola?s Fischtel (A.A.I.) (according to the original design by Joop Caboort) Stager: Hilde Koch

ETUDES (created 1948, performed by Houston Balletin in 1987, 1990, 1992, 2000 and 2003.) Music by Knudage Riisager, after themes of Karl Czerny
Choreography by Harald Lander
Lighting by Tony Tucci

Stager: Johnny Eliasen

In its spring program, Houston Ballet travels from the realm of high classicism to the earthy extremes of modern dance. Etudes takes the audience into the world of a ballet dancer. The work begins with the most simple of poses at the ballet bar, and climaxes with a stunning display of ballet bravura. Jardi Tancat was the first work choreographed by the acclaimed Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato, and portrays in song and dance the poignant story of a people who work the barren land, praying to God for rain and enduring with great spirit in the face of

hardship. Created by the legendary George Balanchine for New York City Ballet in 1978, Ballo Della Regina is a virtuoso set of variations, comparable to the bel canto style of opera, set to ballet music that was cut from the original production of Verdi's Don Carlos.

At 7:30 pm on March 12,14, 20, 21, 2015 At 2:00 pm on March 15,22, 2015

SPRING SHOWCASE
Houston Ballet Academy Spring Performance
The gifted young artists of Houston Ballet Academy cap their studies with two performances of a program featuring works tailor-made to show them at their best.

At 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2015 At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2015

V MORRIS, WELCH & KYLIAN featuring:

ZODIAC (World Premiere)

Music by Ross Edwards Choreography by Stanton Welch Designs by Eduardo Sicangco

WORLD PREMIERE BY MARK MORRIS

SVADEBKA (created 1982, performed by Houston Ballet in 2007) Music by Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971), Les Noces
Choreography by Jir?i? Kylia?n
Scenic and Costume Designs by John F. Macfarlane

Lighting by Kees Tjebbes

Houston Ballet's Summer Repertory is powerhouse program, pairing two world-premieres with the revival of a twentieth century masterpiece. Modern dance legend Mark Morris creates his first work especially for Houston Ballet. Stanton Welch explores the twelve signs of the zodiac in a new piece set to a commissioned score by the distinguished Australian composer Ross Edwards. Set to Stravinsky's powerful score, Jir?i? Kylia?n's Svadebka dramatizes the events of a Russian peasant wedding, performed with a live chorus.

At 7:30 pm on May 28, 30, June 5 & 6, 2015 At 2:00 pm on May 31, June 7, 2015

VI THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (1969) Music by Kurt-Heinz Stolze (1926-1970), after Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) Choreography by John Cranko

Scenic and Costume Designs by Susan Benson Lighting by Steen Bjarke
Stager: Jane Bourne

Featuring lavish scenery and costumes, John Cranko's staging of The Taming of the Shrew is a masterful choreographic depiction of Shakespeare's perpetually battling lovers, Petruchio and

Katherina, and of Petruchio's determination to bend the feisty, independent-spirited and tempestuous Katherina to his will. Incorporating a stunning array of dramatic moods, virtuoso dancing and vivid characterization, The Taming of the Shrew conveys like no other ballet Shakespeare's wit, brilliant comic invention and sharp understanding of human character.

At 7:30 pm on June 11, 13, 19, 20, 2015 At 2:00 pm on June 14, 20, 21, 2015

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Full season subscriptions, with tickets to six productions, range in price from $102 to $1170 depending on seat location and date of performances. To subscribe, call (713) 5-BALLET (713-522-5538) or purchase online at www.houstonballet.org.

SINGLE TICKETS

Single tickets go on sale Monday, August 4, 2014 and may be purchased by calling 713 227 2787 (713- 227 2787) or purchased online at www.houstonballet.org.

Photo Credit:Amitava Sarkar

To post a comment, you must register and login.