Houston Ballet - Swan Lake

The world's favorite ballet

From Artistic Director Stanton Welch and the late Kristian Fredirickson, this is a beautifully realised, uplifting production, that draws on the romantic vision of Pre-Raphaelite painter John William Waterhouse.

Deeply steeped in mythology and metaphysical poetry, Welch and Fredrikson were inspired by haunting painting 'The Lady of Shallott' (in turn inspired by Lord Alfred Tennyson's poem of the same name), which captures the last moment of her wretched life, and has beguiled audiences for many years. "When I saw this painting I said, 'This is our Odette.' Here is a woman, a young heroine, lost in a forest by a lake, touched by tragedy," Welch said.

In turn, the set and costumes designed by Fredrikson feature flowing fabric on fair princesses, with the black and white nature of good verses evil represented by glamour, sumptuously outfitted, with rich scenery to dance on.

Considering that Swan Lake's first outing in Bolshi, Moscow was given less than complimentary notices, ('neither the ballet nor it's ballerina were well received') Tchaikovsky's uplifting score has gone on to become one of the world's most famous ballets, frequently performed and the must see of any season.