Houston Ballet makes Detroit debut with Giselle

Limited Engagement November 1-2; Master Class November 1

DETROIT - (Stanton Welch, Artistic Director) opens Michigan Opera Theatre’s dance season with two performances of Giselle, the world’s most famous romantic ballet. Performances will take place at the Detroit Opera House on November 1-2, 2014.

One of the most famous and widely performed works of the Romantic era, Giselle tells the story of a beautiful peasant girl deceived by Count Albrecht, her transformation into a Wili (the ghosts of women betrayed on their wedding day) and her forgiveness of her errant lover which results in his salvation. The ballet was choreographed by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli to a commissioned score by Adolphe Adam, and it originally premiered in Paris on June 28, 1841, making it one of the oldest ballets still being performed today.

At the helm of Houston Ballet as artistic director since 2003, Australian choreographer Stanton Welch has choreographed for dance companies worldwide and created eighteen new works especially for Houston Ballet. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its repertory of new work and collaborated with major American dance companies. Welch’s Son of Chamber Symphony delighted Detroit audiences when the piece was performed last season by the Joffrey Ballet under the auspices of Michigan Opera Theatre.

A master class for intermediate and advanced level ballet dancers will be taught by a former principal dancer of Houston Ballet on Saturday, November 1 at 11 a.m. The master class is free with a ticket to the performance or $25 without, and will be held at the Detroit Opera House. For information or to register, call (313) 237-3251 or email dance@motopera.org.

A free dance talk will begin one hour prior to each performance in the auditorium.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $83, Tickets may be purchased online at www.MichiganOpera.org, by calling (313) 237-SING, or in person at the Detroit Opera House (1526 Broadway, Detroit). Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by calling 800-745-3000.

Saturday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 2 at 2:30 p.m.

About Michigan Opera Theatre

Michigan Opera Theatre (www.MichiganOpera.org) is one of the nation’s most vibrant regional opera companies. The company’s mission is to serve as a major cultural resource to the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit. MOT is committed to presenting opera and dance of the highest artistic caliber, and making MOT works accessible to all segments of the population.