Stanton Welch has done it again—but this time, he’s outdone himself. Houston Ballet’s reimagined *Raymonda* isn’t just another revival; it’s a bold reinvention that proves classical ballet can evolve without losing its soul.
Welch’s choreography honors the original’s grandeur while injecting fresh energy. The footwork is razor-sharp, the lifts breathtaking, and the storytelling—finally—feels urgent. Too often, *Raymonda* gets reduced to pretty tutus and Hungarian folk dances, but Welch digs deeper. His version crackles with drama, making the medieval love triangle actually *matter*.
The real magic? Welch doesn’t shy away from modernizing the problematic bits. Let’s be honest: traditional *Raymonda* has cringe moments (looking at you, Orientalist stereotypes). Welch sidesteps the pitfalls, focusing on Raymonda’s agency and the tension between duty and desire. It’s still lavish—costumes shimmer, the corps moves like a single organism—but it’s no museum piece.
Houston Ballet’s dancers are on fire. Their technique is flawless, but it’s their emotional punch that seals the deal. You feel every conflicted glance, every defiant pirouette.
This *Raymonda* isn’t just Welch’s best work—it’s a blueprint for ballet’s future. Respect the classics? Absolutely. But don’t be afraid to rewrite them. **Bravo.**
*—DanceWAMI*
