
Houston Grand Opera Teams Up with Novum Energy for New Diversity Initiative
By David Salazar(Photo credit: Maritere Rice)
Diversity initiatives might be coming to an end in the United States’ Federal government and discrimination seems to be okay again, per the U.S. President’s latest decrees, but several opera companies are moving forward with progress regardless.
The latest example comes from the Houston Grand Opera which announced on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, that it was starting a three-year program alongside Novum Energy, the Novum Foundation, and Novum Energy CEO to suppot and recruit Latin American opera artists to the opera company.
Under the partnership, Novum Energy will underwrite HGO performances by leading Latin American artists including Chilean soprano Yaritz Véliz and Mexican conductor Roberto Kalb. Moreover, the agreement will also see Novum Foundation involved in discovering and fostering artists from Latin America as part of the Butler Studio training program. Finally, Novum Energy will throw its support behind the creation of a new Spanish-language opera.
“As we seek to grow the strong ties that HGO has around the world, we are so grateful to Novum Energy, the company’s foundation, and Alfredo Vilas for their visionary support of artists and artworks that will resonate with our city and support opera’s future,” said HGO General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor per an official press release. “We program our seasons to serve our international audience, and this initiative underscores HGO’s dedication to staging productions that speak to Houston’s large and growing Latin American population.”
“Novum Energy has been a proud supporter of HGO for years, and I am excited to expand our partnership through our company and the Novum Foundation,” added Novum Energy CEO Alfredo Vilas. “Houston has become a thriving world capital, a cultural melting pot, and a true mecca for the arts. Our aim is to develop innovative opera programs that celebrate our community’s unique cultural blend and to mentor rising Latin American talent in the world of opera.”
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