The Houston Ballet closes the 2025-2026 season after great successes in each of its repertoire performances. The ballet with which this season ends is “Giselle,” a particularly special one for this artistic institution.
And nearly six decades ago, a single performance of “Giselle” helped propel the founding of the Houston Ballet.
It was performed for the first time in Houston in 1967 by students of Nina Popova. “Giselle” sparked the community’s support for what would officially become the Houston Ballet just two years later.
Today, the work returns not only as a cornerstone of classical ballet, but also as a reminder of the company’s humble origins and the long journey it has traveled since then.
The story is a timeless tale of heartbreak that has endured for nearly two centuries. Created originally in 1841 with music by Adolphe Adam, the ballet narrates the story of a young woman whose faith in love is shattered, drawing her into a supernatural world where forgiveness and grief collide.
Stanton Welch, artistic director and choreographer of the Houston Ballet, honors the legacy in this version while sharpening its emotional focus. His staging flows with clarity and intention, drawing out the intrinsic humanity of the story rather than relying solely on visual spectacle. The contrast between the sun-kissed earthly village and the austere, otherworldly realm of the Wilis is not merely visual, but is felt with deep intensity.
Artistas del Houston Ballet durante una función de “Giselle” que este año cierra la temporada. Foto Amitava Sarkar/ Cortesía de Houston Ballet
“What makes this ‘Giselle’ resonate so strongly is the immediacy with which it is felt,” said artistic director Julie Kent.
“The technique is demanding, but the true essence lies in what lies beneath it: grief, betrayal, and, ultimately, compassion and forgiveness. The dancers must fully immerse themselves in those emotions,” she added.
This production also marks a decade since Welch first presented his interpretation to Houston’s audience. Over these ten years, the work has evolved hand in hand with the dancers who perform it; each of them has brought new depth to the ballet.
The production features the stunning designs of Roberta Guidi di Bagno and a score that defined the Romantic era. “Giselle” closes the season by returning to the starting point of Houston Ballet’s story, while continuing to shape its future.
Performances will take place between June 11 and June 21 at the Wortham Theater Center; more information at www.houstonballet.org.
Details
What: Giselle by the Houston Ballet
When: June 11–21, 2026
Where: Wortham Theater Center
More information: www.houstonballet.org
