Houston Ballet "Madame Butterfly" at Mahalia Jackson Theater

Sat, Apr 17 | 7:30PM

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Julie Kent and Stanton Welch AM, Houston Ballet returns to the stage with Welch’s powerful Madame Butterfly. Originally created in 1995 for The Australian Ballet as Welch’s very first full-length work, this internationally lauded masterpiece now stands as a definitive milestone of his career.

Set to Puccini’s iconic score, the production follows the poignant tale of Cio-Cio-San, a young geisha who sacrifices her faith and family to marry an American naval lieutenant. Exquisite choreography and picturesque sets by Peter Farmer beautifully evoke 19th-century Japan, drawing viewers into an emotionally charged journey of love and betrayal.

From sweeping, passionate pas de deux to deeply moving final scenes, Madame Butterfly showcases Houston Ballet’s elite storytelling and flawless classical technique. The incredible dramatic depth of the company’s dancers brings this production to life with unforgettable intimacy, proving exactly why they are recognized as one of the nation’s premier classical companies.

“One of the nation’s best ballet companies” —The New York Times