Antonio Vivaldiยs ยThe Four Seasonsย is gorgeous enough on its own. But leave it to Stanton Welch, artistic director of Houston Ballet, to send the great composerยs score into the realm of the sublime with brand-new choreography. Welchยs world premiere ballet narrates the four seasons of a womanยs life, moving from the spring of youth to the wintry wisdom of old age. A majestic oak tree stands on the stage with the dancers, changing her leaves as the seasons do. The ballet promises to add a visual layer to Vivaldiยs music that will make the evening soar. The program also includes a revival of Williams Forsytheยs In the middle, somewhat elevated, a ballet danced to techno music on a bare black stage, and the company premiere of Jirรญ Kyliรกnยs Petite Mort, set to piano concertos by Mozart.
Thu., Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m. Starts: Sept. 20. Continues through Sept. 30, 2007
This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2007.