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Updated 08-27-10 10:00 AM
HGO to produce Wagner's massive Ring Cycle "HGO plans to present its first-ever staging of the four-opera epic in consecutive seasons, beginning with Das Rheingold in 2014, with Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung to follow in the next three seasons." - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article
HGO's Dramaturg Colin Ure on the Front Row With just a few more days to go until Sunday's 17th annual Houston Theater District Open House dramaturg Colin Ure tells us about the seven spectacular operas that will be performed during HGO's upcoming season. Click here to listen
To Cross the Face of the Moon/Cruzar la Cara de la Luna - The World's First Mariachi Opera "Opera, meet mariachi. Mariachi, meet opera. Two musical traditions with avid international followings will get together when Houston Grand Opera, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Talento Bilingue de Houston collaborate on the world premiere of the first mariachi opera" - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article Tony Award Winners Create New Madame Butterfly for HGO "The team that swept the Tony awards is tackling one of opera's greatest warhorses — Madame Butterfly — in a new Houston Grand Opera production." - Culture Map Click here to read the entire article
"They dominated the Tony Awards on Sunday, and now the creative folks behind "Red" on Broadway have set their sights on another theatrical challenge -- a new production of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" at the Houston Grand Opera." - LA TImes Click here to read the entire article
"What leading Houston arts company is as thrilled with Red's Tony triumph Sunday as that show's own Broadway producers? Houston Grand Opera, that's who." - Houston Chronicle blog Click here to read the entire post Director Michael Grandage, designer Christopher Oram and lighting designer Neil Austin – the creative team responsible for Houston Grand Opera’s (HGO) new production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly – swept the prestigious Tony Awards Sunday night in New York City with six awards for their Broadway production of John Logan’s Red. Download Press Release Cynthia Clayton and Hector Vásquez on The Front Row Soprano Cynthia Clayton and baritone Hector Vásquez talk about taking over the lead roles in Houston Grand Opera’s production of Tosca, a re-worked version of which will be presented Friday and Saturday night at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Click here to listen
Triumphs for Houston Grand Opera Studio Artists Houston Grand Opera Studio artist Nathaniel Peake won the Zarzuela prize and Studio alumnus Ryan McKinny won the Birgit Nilsson prize at Plácido Domingo’s Operalia competition. Download Press Release Xerxes opera gets royal treatment at HGO "A triumverate of opera's best and brightest are ready to rule as HGO mounts the Olivier Award-winning English National Opera production, widely regarded as the work's definitive treatment." - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article HGO's Queen of Spades features obsession, fate, great music "Houston Grand Opera gives its first The Queen of Spades in 28 years with the production opening Friday at Wortham Theater Center." - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article
Fireworks on all levels made the opera ball one for the record book "Even before entering Wortham Theater Center's Grand Foyer, guests arriving on Fish Plaza Saturday night for Houston Grand Opera's ''Yellow Rose Ball" could see that this white-tie-and-tails evening was going to be out of the ordinary." - Culture Map Click here to read the entire article
Oscar Wyatt gives $1 million to Houston Grand Opera
"Oscar Wyatt has donated $1 million to Houston Grand Opera in honor of his wife, Lynn, HGO general director Anthony Freud announced Saturday at the Yellow Rose Ball, the 2010 Opera Ball." - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article
HGO Announces New Staff Appointments
"Houston Grand Opera recently announced two new appointments, Francis Greep will join as head of music staff and music director of the opera studio and Craig Kier as assistant chorus master. - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the article
Taking the Lead At the age of 12, Phillip Bevers will perform as the Boy Captain in The Queen of Spades. “It feels good to get a lead role ... I didn’t expect it at all.” - Fort Bend Herald Click here to read the entire article HGO Studio Artists Win at the 2010 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen and tenor Nathaniel Peake, first-year HGO Studio Artists, were announced Grand Finalist winners at the 2010 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. The artists were among the five winners selected from nine finalists who performed at the Grand Finals Concert with the Met Orchestra. Click here to download the New York Times article Click here to read the Houston Chronicle article Click here to read the Culture Map article
HGO Announces 2010/11 Season "Ana Maria Martinez’s debut in the role of the tragic Cio-Cio-San in Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly; Houston Grand Opera’s first staging of Dead Man Walking, one of the most acclaimed new operas of the past decade; and a troika of dynamic divas — Laura Claycomb, Christine Goerke and Susan Graham — to power Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos — are among some of the noteworthy aspects of Houston Grand Opera’s 2010-11 season." - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article HGO's 2010/11 Season
HGO readies rare operatic chiller "The great operas have made enduring lyric theater of all sorts of stories: tragedies, comedies, romances, heroic adventures. One type of story, however, remains relatively rare in operatic form: the suspense tale. The Turn of the Screw, Benjamin Britten's chamber opera based on Henry James's classic ghost story, is the rare exception..." - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article
Famed soprano Racette prepares for Tosca “We feel we're presenting something very special. This Tosca has everything for the traditionalist, as well as something for those who like things a bit edgier.” - Patricia Racette in her interview with the Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article
Song of Houston Wins Award HGOco's Song of Houston has won the 2009 Leading Lights Diversity Award for Arts and Culture from the National MultiCultural Institute. This award celebrates exemplary leaders in the nonprofit sector whose demonstrated courage, innovation and commitment to diversity light a path to a more inclusive society. HGO is the first opera company in the Institute's 26-year history to receive this honor, presented at a ceremony in Arlington, Virginia on November 18, 2009. Click here to download the press release.
Studio Artists Perform in Showcase Showcase 2009 is an inspiring evening of music theater featuring the exciting Houston Grand Opera Studio artists. Enjoy scenes from Turandot, Lucia di Lammermor, Così fan tutte and more, as well as a reception with the artists following the performance. December 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. Jones Hall on the campus of University of St. Thomas, 3910 Yoakum Drive. Tickets $35 Click here for more information or to purchase tickets. Listen to the artists perform scenes from Showcase on The Front Row
Maestro is Ready for his Wagner debut "Houston Grand Opera music director Patrick Summers reports that he is “excited and not the least bit trepidatious” heading into Friday's opening of Lohengrin — his first time to conduct a Wagner opera and HGO's first Wagner production since its 2001 Tannhaüser." - Houston Chronicle Click here for the entire article.
Russian soprano cozy in her Houston debut "Illustrious Russian soprano Ekaterina Siurina says she's thrilled to be making her Houston Grand Opera debut in Gaetano Donizetti's The Elixir of Love — especially since it's the season-opening production." - Houston Chronicle Click here for the entire article.
Hear HGO Studio Artists and Alumni in Bering Omega's annual benefit Sing for Hope!, an evening of art songs and arias. The concert is at 8 p.m. in the Cullen Hall of the Wortham Theater Center. Admission includes champagne and dessert at the ENCORE! interimssion mixer, where you can chat with the stars of the show. For more information call 713-341-3762.
HGO Studio Artists to Perform in Albany Several members of the HGO Studio will perform at the Aztec Theater in Albany on August 27. Click here for more information.
How Much Drama Can YOU Make in Three Minutes? Houston Grand Opera wants to put YOU in the director's chair for the HGO 3-Minute Opera Video Contest! The entries judged most creative and imaginative by our panel of experts will win opera tickets, fabulous prizes and at least fifteen seconds of fame! Click here for more information. Theater District Open House Experience Music, Dance and Theater at the 16th annual Theater District Open House on August 30 from Noon to 4 PM. This event is FREE to the public so bring the whole family to enjoy live performances, tours, displays and more! Visit HGO at the Wortham Theater Center to take advantage of special deals on subscriptions and one-day only single ticket savings. Click here for more information. View the Open House Video.
HGO is the Star of the Show The Downtown District, The City of Houston Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department and KTRK are partnering on new 30-minute quarterly television specials designed to introduce viewers to downtown Houston by spotlighting the people, places and stories that make it unique. The premiere episode featured Anthony Freud, Patrick Summers and a look behind the scenes at Houston Grand Opera. If you missed it, segments are available at houstondowntown.com and abc13.com.
Rigoletto at Miller Outdoor Theatre Houston Grand Opera reprises performances of its much acclaimed production of Verdi’s Rigoletto – with free public performances on May 15-16, 2009 at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. Click here for more information.
Pink at the Brown Join HGO Studio Artists Jamie Barton, Caitlin Lynch, Faith Sherman and other Theater District performing arts companies for Pink at the Brown, an evening benefiting Pink Ribbons Project, on March 26 at 8 p.m. in the Brown Theater, Wortham Theater Center. Click here for more information.
Opera to Go! "Kids across Midland — and the world — likely have memorized the tale of “The Little Mermaid” on DVD, but on Tuesday, Midland Independent School District students got to experience it in a different form — opera." - My West Texas News Click here to read the entire article
Chorus! Backstage is a thrilling place to be. Not only will you run into various celebrities, but you'll be manhandled by choristers running to change into lip-printed dresses, red wigs, sexy tights, and hott shoes. I pretend I'm a light stand in those moments... Click here to read the entire blog posting
Houston Grand Opera's Chorus! on a grand scale "When Houston Grand Opera unveils Chorus!tonight at Wortham Theater Center, the audience will witness an operatic premiere unlike anything previously attempted." - Houston Chronicle Click here to read the entire article.
HGO's Girls Chorus featured in Houston Family Magazine "When Houston Grand Opera Children’s Chorus Director Karen Reeves mentioned to Sandra Bernhard that she wanted to start a girls chorus, no one really knew where the idea would go." - Houston Family Magazine Click here to read the entire article.
Brief Encounter: the opera "In creating an opera out of Brief Encounter – not at all like composing a film score, says Previn, and he's written many – he found scarcely anything to add to Lean's beautifully crafted film." - The Independent Click here to read the entire article
Houston Grand Opera and The Refuge featured in Symphony Magazine "Houston Grand Opera's ground-breaking production of The Refuge offers a model of how an arts organization can achieve civic stature: by engaging the hearts and minds of diverse communities." - Symphony Magazine Click here to read the entire article
Warm up for the opera season with HGO! Join us for Opera Night Live, Taste This, or any of these great pre-season events - whether you prefer a casual talk or an intimate evening of art song, a night out for a great cause or a chance to unwind with great music, there's something here for you!
9/26/08, 9/27/08 - 7:30PM Houston Grand Opera Studio Recitals at Rienzi “Poet’s Love"—Shakespeare and Schumann. An intimate evening of art and song featuring the artists of the Houston Grand Opera Studio at Rienzi, the European Decorative Arts wing of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, located at 1406 Kirby Drive. For more information and tickets, contact Rienzi at 713-639-7800.
9/27/08 - 8PM Sing for Hope Twelve of the country's most prominent young opera stars including HGO Studio artists Jamie Barton and Faith Sherman take the stage at SING FOR HOPE: An Evening of Art Songs and Arias, Bering Omega's signature annual benefit concert. Saturday, September 27, 2008, 8:00pm - Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center. For tickets or more information, please contact Brenda Bailey at 713-341-3762 or visit www.beringomega.org.
9/29/08 - 10/3/08 - 11AM HGOco and Opera to Go! present Strega Nona at Miller Outdoor Theater, 11 a.m. daily. Free admission. For more information, call 713-546-0232.
10/3/08 - 8PM HGO’s O.N. for Young Professionals Kick-off “Carnival” Saez & Zouk, 202 Tuam St. Opening Nights for Young Professionals is a group of professionals in their 20s and 30s, who are dedicated to building a new audience for Houston Grand Opera and sustaining that audience by attending Opening Night opera performances and special events. For more information/tickets, order online at www.HoustonGrandOpera.org/ON or contact Jenaiah Michael at 713-980-8674.
10/6/08 - 6PM Taste This! HGO at the Tasting Room A cabaret-style performance featuring the artists of the Houston Grand Opera Studio at The Tasting Room’s Uptown Park location. $20 cover includes hors d’oeuvres. Doors open at 6 PM and seating is limited, so reserve your seat early by calling The Tasting Room Events Line at 713-622-4477.
10/7/08 - 7:30PM Houston Grand Opera Guild Opera Night Live Czech Center Museum Houston, 4920 San Jacinto St. Enjoy a conversation with Robin Tebbutt, director of Beatrice & Benedict, plus a special “Bea and Ben” musical preview featuring HGO Studio Artists. This event is free, but space is limited, so please reserve your seat by calling Houston Grand Opera Guild at 713-546-0269.
10/8/08 - 5PM Culture Collision III HGO’s O.N. for Young Professionals joins other YP groups at Culture Collision III, Discovery Green Park. For more information, contact Jenaiah Michael at 713-980-8674 or jmichael@houstongrandopera.org.
10/15/08 - 6PM Coffee Talk Houston Grand Opera and the University of St. Thomas present the first in a series of conversations on the connections between life and art. HGOco Director Sandra Bernhard joins with UST faculty to discuss “How Shakespeare Sees the World.” Free and open to the public, University of St. Thomas Jones Hall; for more information call 713-228-OPERA
Recitals at Rienzi—September 26 & 27, 7:30PM Back by popular demand—intimate evenings of art and song featuring the artists of the Houston Grand Opera Studio. Rienzi is the European Decorative Arts wing of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Click here for more information
HGO in Paper City's Theater District Open House Special Section The August issue of Paper City included a special section for the Theater District Open House, including interviews with a recent graduate of HGO Studio, Liam Bonner, and the head of HGO's wig and makeup department, Dottie Staker. Click here to read Liam's interview Click here to read Dotti's interview
Karen Reeves on The Front Row HGO's education manager, Karen Reeves, joins author Sarah Gish on KUHF's The Front Row about Gish's Summer Book 2008. It’s a guide to summer day camps and classes that children in the Houston area can attend. Click here to listen
Opera Camp on ABC 13 News HGO's Opera Camp was spotlighted on Tuesday's ABC 13 News broadcast. This opera camp is designed to help young singers develop a better understanding of healthy singing, improve their music reading/theory skills, work on song presentation for solo performance, and learn and present choral selections for informal presentation. Click here to watch the segment
Studio Artist Receives Grand Review St. Louis Post-Dispatch critic praises HGO Studio Artist Jamie Barton in Opera Theatre of St Louis production of Madama Butterfly "Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton was a sensitive, supportive Suzuki who made every glance and gesture meaningful. Her voice is a gorgeous, mellow instrument... " Click here to read the full review
Albina Shagimuratova on The Front Row Soprano Albina Shagimuratova and pianist Kathleen Kelly from the Houston Grand Opera Studio stop by KUHF's Performance Studio for a preview of her May 19th recital called Bel Canto: From Mozart to Rachmaninov. Listen
Ms Shagimuratova, a second-year Studio Artist at HGO, appeared this season as Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and as Musetta in Puccini's "La Boheme". She makes her Salzburg Festival debut this summer and returns to HGO next spring as Gilda in verdi's Rigoletto. Ms. Shagimuratova won the the gold medal at the prestigious Tchaikovsky International Competition in 2007. For this recital, she will be accompanied by HGO Studio Music Director, Kathleen Kelly, in music by Mozart, Richard Strauss, Bellini, Rachmaninov and Rossini.
Although HGO's mainstage season is drawing to a close, you still have several opportunities to enjoy the work of HGO Studio Artists in May--and beyond! At ASPEN OPERA THEATER, current Studio singer Jamie Barton will appear as the Witch in Hansel and Gretel (July 24, 27, 28) which will be conducted by HGO Chorus Master Richard Bado. BERKSHIRE OPERA's production of Le Nozze di Figaro (August 15, 18m, 20, 22, 24m) includes recent graduates of the Studio program Liam Bonner as Count Almaviva, Tamara Wilson as Countess Almaviva, and Ryan McKinny as Figaro. Berkshire Opera's season opening concert, Women on the Verge, includes HGO Studio alumni Marie Lenormand and Scott Scully. Joseph Li, currently in HGO Studio, will be the principal coach for both Women on the Verge and Figaro. Kathy Kelly, HGO Studio Music Director, is Berkshire Opera's artistic director and conductor for both productions. At CHAUTAUQUA OPERA, Faith Sherman will be Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte (July 3 and 7). Incoming Studio artist Caitlin Lynch will perform music from Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream (August 3m and 17m) at GLIMMERGLASS OPERA. At the MOSTLY MOZART FESTIVAL in New York City, Fiona Murphy will perform Annio in La Clemenza di Tito with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (August 3). Jamie Barton will perform the role of Suzuki in Madama Butterfly at OPERA THEATER OF ST. LOUIS (May 29, 31, June 4, 7, 11m, 13, 18m, 22, 24, 28m). Albina Shagimuratova will reprise the role of Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte at THE SALZBURG FESTIVAL in Austria (August 13, 20, 22, 26, 28, 30). Incoming HGO Studio Artist Adam Cioffari will participate in the SAN FRANCISCO OPERA MEROLA PROGRAM and perform in its Grand Final concert on August 16. At SANTA FE OPERA this summer, Norman Reinhart will be Fenton in Falstaff (June 27; July 2, 5, 11, 29; August 4, 11, 16, 19, 23), Heidi Stober will be Tigrane in Radamisto (July 19, 23; August 1, 7, 15, 20), and HGO Studio coach Peter Pasztor will be the principal coach for Billy Budd and Le Nozze di Figaro. WOLF TRAP OPERA's production of Verdi's King for a Day (Un Giorno di regno) includes Liam Bonner as Belfiore, Tamara Wilson as Marchesa, Beau Gibson as Edoardo, Ryan McKinny as Barone Kelbar, and Marjorie Owens as Giulietta (June 13, 15m, 17). Rebekah Camm and Maria Markina will perform in Wolf Trap's Alcina (July 11, 13m, 15) as Alcina and Bradamante respectively, with Jeremy Frank serving as the principal coach for the production. Eric Melear makes his Wolf Trap conducting debut in Alcina and he is also chorus master for King for a Day. Also at Wolf Trap Opera, Ariadne auf Naxos includes Marjorie Owens as Ariadne and Beau Gibson as Brighella (August 15, 17m, 19), and a concert performance of Candide includes Beau Gibson as Vanderdendur and James Kee as Maximilian. Evan Rogister is the assistant conductor for Candide and Grant Loehnig the principal coach.
From the Top This weekend's broadcast of the NPR show, "From the Top" features HGO Studio artist Rebekah Camm and the Magic Flute Genies Joan Scheirman, Elizabeth Kaufman and Emily Townsend, as well as our Children's Chorus, High School Voice Studio soprano Caitlan Pitts and the members of the HSVS. Locally, you can listen to the program on May 4 at 6 PM on KUHF-88.7 FM on Sunday. Click here to listen to the show (now) online!
Opera America and the National Arts conference KUHF's Capella Tucker posted this thoughtful feature on Opera America and the National Arts conference. It includes commentary from HGO General Director Anthony Freud as well as Opera America President/CEO Marc Scorca. Click here to view entire article
Houston Chronicle - Apr 28 "This Budd's for You!" - Charles Ward's Houston Chronicle Review of HGO's Billy Budd Click here to view entire article
Playbill Arts photo journal of HGO's Billy Budd Click to view entire article
Houston Chronicle - Apr 18, 2008 Houston Grand Opera on Friday begins a multiyear exploration of Britten's oeuvre with an acclaimed production of Billy Budd, directed by Australian Neil Armfield Click here to view entire article
Houston Chronicle - Apr 10, 2008 Joshua Hopkins, a Canadian baritone, is returning to Houston Grand Opera at 29 to sing his first major role here since leaving the HGO Studio in 2005. Click here to view entire article
The Refuge Recording HGO's newest recording - The Refuge - is ready for release on Albany Records in May, 2008! It will soon be available at the HGO Boutique, as well as at your favorite music retailer. Refuge composer Christopher Theofanidis was honored last night at his alma mater, University of Houston. He is one of youngest Alumni ever to have been so honored. Congrats to him! http://www.mycougarconnection.com/awardsdinner/recipients_08.htm
Recipe for Success Dr. Mehmet Oz, with whom many of you are familiar through his appearances on Oprah and Good Morning America, was so impressed with the work of Recipe for Success Foundation, that he singled Gracie Cavnar out for a special award and recognition at his annual HealthCorps benefit in New York. HealthCorps is a foundation that Dr. Oz and his wife Lisa created to educate youth about the workings of their bodies and empower them to make good decisions.HealthCorps works with high school age students in New York, Florida and California and now Recipe for Success Foundation is helping to bring them into Houston schools, which will complement our own work with elementary school children.
Opera Ball Houston Chronicle writer Shelby Hodge's video about HGO's Opera Ball is online for all to enjoy. http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1494861272
