Houston Ballet Presents: The World Premiere of Stanton Welch’s “Raymonda”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ellen Neiers, Houston Ballet
eneiers@houstonballet.org | press@houstonballet.org
C: (936) 230-9190

HOUSTON BALLET PRESENTS:
The World Premiere of Stanton Welch’s Raymonda
May 29 – June 8, 2025

HOUSTON, TX – April 8, 2025 – Houston Ballet is proud to announce the world premiere of Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM’s Raymonda, running May 29 through June 8. Inspired by other variations, including Marius Petipa’s classic, Welch’s opulent adaptation reinvigorates the timeless ballet with a focus on modern themes, dynamic storytelling, and a rich sense of humanity. Welch’s Raymonda will debut at the Wortham Theater Center, accompanied by Alexander Glazunov’s masterful score and stunning designs by acclaimed Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno.

In this new variation, Welch takes the ballet out of its original time and place, centering the story themes of sisterhood and the power of love. While the original ballet is renowned for its technical brilliance, Welch has imbued the characters with depth and emotion, drawing audiences into the triumphs and challenges faced by Raymonda and her sisters.

“With Raymonda, I wanted to breathe new life into a beautiful classic, giving its characters depth and creating a story that resonates with modern audiences,” said Stanton Welch AM, Artistic Director at Houston Ballet. “This ballet is about love, resilience, and the strength of sisterhood—universal themes that transcend time.”

The plot follows Raymonda, whose heart belongs to one man despite being destined to marry another, but an insidious betrayal by the queen’s trusted advisor threatens to upend her path to happiness. Set to Glazunov’s vibrant and sensuous score, Raymonda invites audiences to revel in the lush soundscape while marveling at the lavish sets and costumes by Guidi di Bagno. A longtime collaborator with Welch, Guidi di Bagno’s creations promise unforgettable moments, including a breathtaking reveal in Act III designed to elicit audible gasps from the audience.

Houston Ballet is renowned for creating full-length ballets that push artistic boundaries. Welch’s Raymonda joins the ranks of the Company’s celebrated productions like Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, solidifying its position as a global leader in classical ballet innovation. Presented on the Wortham Theater Center’s Brown Stage—the largest in the city—this larger-than-life production will be displayed in all its grandeur, bringing the sweeping spectacle of Raymonda to life like never before. Performance details are as follows:

Raymonda, May 29 – June 8, 2025
Choreography: Stanton Welch AM | Music: Alexander Glazunov
Generously Underwritten by Melza and Ted Barr

Schedule: 7 p.m. on May 29, 2025
7:30 p.m. on May 31 and June 6-7, 2025
2 p.m. on June 1 & 8, 2025
Venue: Wortham Theater Center
501 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
Tickets: Visit www.houstonballet.org

ABOUT HOUSTON BALLET
With over 50 years of rich history, Houston Ballet has evolved into a company with a budget of $37.6 million and an endowment of $97.5 million (as of June 2023), making it the country’s fourth-largest ballet company. Its $46.6 million state-of-the-art performance space, the Houston Ballet Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance opened in April 2011. In addition, Houston Ballet’s reach is global, touring theaters in Dubai, London, Paris, Moscow, Spain, Montréal, Ottawa, Melbourne, New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Tokyo and more.

Australian choreographer Stanton Welch AM has served as Artistic Director of Houston Ballet since 2003. Welch has choreographed 43 new works for Houston Ballet during his tenure while ensuring the growth of the Company’s repertoire by presenting works from George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, and Jerome Robbins. Welch continues the legacy of Houston Ballet being a choreographic Eden by commissioning over 30 works from world-renowned choreographers including Aszure Barton, Trey McIntyre, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Justin Peck. Julie Kent joined Welch as Artistic Director in 2023, after serving as Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet from 2016 – 2023 and following a storied career as a Principal ballerina of American Ballet Theatre – the longest-tenured dancer in ABT’s 85-year history. Executive Director James Nelson serves as the administrative leader of the organization, a position he assumed in February 2012 after serving as the Company’s General Manager for more than a decade.

Beyond its stage presence, Houston Ballet maintains a strong foothold in continuing to foster a love for dance in future generations. Its Education and Community Engagement program reaches more than 85,000 individuals in the Houston area annually. Houston Ballet Academy trains more than 1,000 students every year, producing more than 60 percent of the extraordinary artists that comprise Houston Ballet’s current Company. For more information on Houston Ballet, visit houstonballet.org

Photo Credit:
Houston Ballet Soloist Danbi Kim as Princess Raymonda, Chun Wai Chan as Jean and choreographer Stanton Welch rehearsing Raymonda.
Photo by Alana Campbell (2025). Courtesy of Houston Ballet.