Student Performances
Join us for the ultimate field trip to the Wortham Theater Center for HGO Student Performances! Reserve your tickets now and secure the best seats in the house for our student performances.
Student Matinees
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 10:00 a.m.
THE SNOWY DAY
Let yourself take a snow day
Relive the joy and wonder of childhood with a story as fresh and lovely as a new coat of snow. Ezra Jack Keats’s award-winning, ever-popular work from 1962, The Snowy Day, was the first mainstream children’s book to feature a Black boy as its protagonist. The story comes to life for the holidays in this anticipated world premiere opera from the brilliant creative duo of composer Joel Thompson and librettist Andrea Davis Pinkney. Join Peter, a young boy out exploring the city alone for the first time, as he experiences the delights of crunching, sliding, and playing in a fresh snowfall and, along the way, learns some truths about life. HGO Studio artist and soprano Raven McMillon takes on the role of Peter, and director Omer Ben Seadia brings the wonder and magic of the boy’s wintry world to life. HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers conducts.
Thursday, May 5, 2022 – 10:00 a.m.
ROMEO & JULIET
A story as timeless a love itself
Gounod’s sweeping adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, returns to the Wortham in a dazzling new production that will transport audiences to an evening at the London Globe. With a large chorus, big, rich harmonies, intricate dance numbers, and sumptuous costumes, this is French grand opera at its finest. The story opens in Verona, where the star cross’d lovers’ families are feuding. As the tale goes, tragedy strikes, and Romeo and Juliet need to choose family or true love. Along the way, the doomed couple sing four romantic duets that are so beautiful, they will warm even the coldest heart. Radiant soprano Adriana Gonzalez makes her HGO debut as Juliet opposite beloved tenor Michael Spyres.
To reserve your tickets, please fill out the form below.
High School Night
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 – 7:00 pm.
CARMEN
If I love you, beware.
A tragedy of obsessive love, Bizet’s Carmen from 1875 is considered the most popular opera in the world today. It is impossible not to smile with recognition when the well-known first notes of the prelude ring out from the orchestra. Mezzo-soprano and HGO Studio alumna Carolyn Sproule takes on the role of the famous bohemian whose beauty, confidence, and provocative lifestyle captivate the soldier Don José, sung by incredible tenor Richard Trey Smagur, although his jealousy will ultimately destroy them both. Bass-baritone Christian Pursell as the bullfighter Escamillo and soprano Heidi Stober as Micaela are ensnared by the passion of the two lead characters. Expect striking costumes and gorgeous dancing in director/choreographer Rob Ashford’s acclaimed production, conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya in her HGO debut.
Thank you for your interest. Reservations for HS night are now closed. If you have any questions please reach out to us at hgoco@houstongrandopera.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Call our customer care team at (713) 228-6737 to book tickets, request an invoice, make a payment, or adjust a reservation. Final ticket count (students + chaperones) must be provided to HGO at least 2 weeks prior to the performance. Adjustments to the invoice will not be made within two weeks of a performance.
How will I know where my school will be seated?
Seats are reserved on a first come first seated basis. When you arrive to the Wortham Theater Center you will be directed to your seats by HGO ushers and seated in your group’s designated area. For those attending High School Night only, tickets will be sent prior to the performance or available at will call the evening of the performance. Assigned seating cannot be guaranteed.
1. Credit Card payments can be processed by calling our customer care team at (713) 228-6737.
2. Make checks payable to Houston Grand Opera and mail to:
Houston Grand Opera
Attn: Meredith Morse
510 Preston Street
Houston, TX 77002
How many chaperones can we bring to the opera?
To maximize our reach to students in the Houston area, we can accommodate one (1) chaperone ticket for every ten (10) students.
Title I schools receive 50% discount. Please let your customer service representative know which Title I school you’re calling from.
When should my group plan to arrive at the Wortham Theater Center?
Attendees should plan to arrive between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. student matinees.
High School Night ticket holders may arrive between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Where should my bus go during the performance?
The city of Houston has approved specific areas as designated bus standing areas for the duration of the performance. For a simplified map of HGO recommended standing areas directly around the Wortham, click here. The city-approved areas are diagrammed here.
Do you have classroom preparation tools to study before we arrive at the opera?
Teachers will receive a curriculum-based study guide to help prepare students and teachers for the opera.
We do not enforce a dress code. Some students opt to dress up, some students wear their school uniform or clothing the student would otherwise wear to school. We want each student to be comfortable!
COVID-19 Policy
Together with guidance from the HGO Health Committee, local health officials, and the Centers for Disease Control, we have made the decision to implement the following requirements for performances during HGO’s Fall season, effective immediately:
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- All guests attending HGO performances and events will be required to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth while inside the Wortham Theater Center, including while seated for a performance.
These protocols will be effective through the end of Carmen performances (November 7). More details on HGO safety protocols, as well as changes to Wortham Theater Center practices, can be found at HGO.org/Safety.