Dramatically speaking, the Houston Ballet is cutting no corners as it opens its 39th season with Onegin. Itย’s laden with passionate romance, violent duels and a heady dose of Russian remorse. The evening-length ย“story balletย” is based on Alexander Pushkinย’s epic narrative poem, written in 1837, about the aristocrat Onegin, who shuns the young Tatiana when she professes her love ย— only to realize his great mistake after sheย’s married to someone else (this sets up the famed pas de deux at the end). Fifty-two years after the poemย’s publication, Tchaikovsky transformed it into an opera, and then the late, great choreographer John Cranko staged his version in 1965. Houston Ballet fans might remember the companyย’s performance of Onegin just three years ago, but this time thereย’s an added bonus: Elisabeth Daltonย’s ultra-lavish costumes and sets, adding drama to drama. 7:30 p.m. today, September 6, 12 and 13, 2 p.m. September 7 and 14. Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Texas. For information, call 713-227-2787 or visit www.houstonballet.org. $17 to $150.

Thu., Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 7, 2 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 14, 2 p.m., 2008

This article appears in Sep 4-10, 2008.