For its landmark 50th year, Houston Ballet began with a classic. But Locally Grown. World Renowned., the second production on the bill, is a quartet of unique works all locally created using Houston Ballet dancers and even featuring two world premieres.
Unlike a story ballet (such as the season opener Giselle or, later in the season, The Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet), mixed repertory ballets combine unrelated short works and can be both classic and contemporary.
The four pieces that make up Locally Grown. World Renowned. are:
- Murmuration — Inspired by the movement of a flock of birds (known as a murmuration), this 2013-created piece is set to Ezio Bosso's Violin Concerto No. 1 Esoconcerto. It employs the choreographer's signature seamless movements and emotional spirituality.
- Passion — Widely acknowledged as one of North America's most exciting and sought-after choreographers, James Kudelka premiered Passion at Houston Ballet in the opening of the 2013-14 season. It is set to the first movement of Beethoven's Concerto for Piano in D, Op. 61a.
- World premiere: Disha Zhang — Disha Zhang based this world premiere on a poem she wrote about the passage of time. The winner of multiple international choreographic awards, Zhang is recognized worldwide as a strong, daring, and highly emotional choreographer.
- World premiere: Oliver Halkowich — This world premiere is the first solo choreographic work for Houston Ballet from current First Soloist Oliver Halkowich. Inspired by music from composer Moondog, a blind counterculture icon, this piece explores the concept of dance as a form of communication in today's world of inundated information.
Single tickets for Locally Grown. World Renowned. start at only $25 and can be purchased online or by calling 713-227-2787.
Season subscriptions are also available. Subscribers secure special discounts off standard pricing, plus get access to add-on priority seating for beloved ballets like The Nutcracker and Academy Spring Showcase.
Joseph Walsh, Karina Gonzales, and Lauren Strongin in James Kudelka’s Passion.
