Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2025-26 season, titled “The Light We Hold.”

The season opens with “Porgy and Bess” in a production by Francesca Zambello and starring Michael Sumuel, Angel Blue, Latonia Moore, Blake Denson, and Demetrious Sampson Jr.  James Gaffigan conducts.

Performance Dates: Oct. 24 – Nov. 15, 2025

Corinne Winters headlines “Il Trittico,” taking on roles in each opera. The same goes for Jamie Barton. Arturo Chacón-Cruz and Ryan McKinny headline “Il Tabarro” and “Gianni Schicchi.” Patrick Summers conducts a James Robinson production.

Performance Dates: Oct. 30 – Nov. 14, 2025

Duke Kim, Sylvia D’Eramo, Ryan McKinny, Thomas Glass, and Iurii Samoilov headling “Silence Night.” Kensho Watanabe conducts the production by James Robinson.

Performance Dates: Jan. 23 – Feb. 8, 2026

“Hansel and Gretel” will star Sasha Cooke, Mané Galoyan, Jamie Barton, Alexandra Loutsion, and Reginald Smith, Jr. Andreas Ottensamer conducts. Anthony McDonald directs.

The opera will also be presented on Feb. 14 as part of “Family Day.”

Performance Dates: Jan. 30 – Feb. 15, 2026

“Of Mice and Men” gets a showcase from the Butler Studio. The opera is presented as a co-production with the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Florida State University.

Performance Dates: March 13 & 15, 2026

Händel’s “Messiah” gets the Robert Wilson treatment with Nicola Panzer co-directing. Ying Fang, Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, Ben Bliss, and Nicholas Newton star. Patrick Summers conducts.

Performance Dates: April 17 – May 3, 2026

Will Liverman, Daniela Mack, Jack Swanson, Luca Pisaroni, and Alessandro Corbelli are the stars of “The Barber of Seville.” Gemma New conducts and Joan Font directs.

Performance Dates: April 24 – May 10, 2026

Other Performances

The Butler Studio will get a showcase.

Performance Date: Sept. 12, 2025

There will be “Carols on the Green” as part of the holiday celebrations.

Performance Dates: December 2025

The “Concert of Arias,” as part of the annual Eleanor McCollum Competition will take place.

Performance Date: Feb. 6, 2026

The company will present its first-ever “Giving Voice” concert to celebrate Black Artists in opera and song. The showcase is conceived by Lawrence Brownlee.

Performance Dates: Winter 2026

“Opera to Go!” will feature “The Velveteen Rabbit.”

Performance Dates: March-May 2026