The Houston Grand Opera has announced that Managing Director Perryn Leech will leave the organization, effective on Dec. 31, 2020. Leech has been with the company for nearly 14 years and served as its managing director for the last nine years. With Leech’s departure, the company will change its leadership structure. As it stands, the organization’s leadership duties are divided {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has announced that it will present a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of “The Snowy Day.” “The Making of The Snowy Day: An Opera for All on HGO” is set for online release on Dec. 10, 2020 and will feature a collaboration between the opera’s creative team with documentarian Annalise Ophenlian. The film explores the creative {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has canceled its entire 2020-21 season. In a press release the company said, “after carefully weighing options, in accordance with recommendations from global health leaders, Houston Grand Opera has made the difficult decision to cancel the remaining mainstage productions for the 2020–21 season. The company now plans to resume live, in-person performance in the fall of {…}
Houston Grand Opera is set to present on November 27, 2020, a double-bill of “Bon Appétit!” and “The Impresario.” The first work is based on an episode of a children’s TV show called “The French Chef.” This one-woman opera is written by Lee Hoiby, directed by Ryan KcKinny, and will feature renowned mezzo Jamie Barton in the role of Julia {…}
Austin Opera, The Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Opera San Antonio, and Houston Grand Opera are joining forces to create the Texas Opera Alliance. The new partnership aims to advance and protect the future of opera in Texas. In its first year, the initiative will focus on cross-promoting digital content and programming as well as proving member companies access to {…}
Houston Grand Opera has announced that it will present “Vinkensport” or “The Finch opera” by composer David T. Little and Royce Vavrek. The showcase is set for Oct. 23, 2020 and will be streamed virtually for one month following release via Marquee TV. The performance will star Nicole Heaston as Sir Elton John’s Trainer with soprano Elena Villalón as Farinelli’s {…}
Houston Grand Opera has announced a new launch for its HGO Digital season. The digital program is now set to kick off on Friday, Sept. 18.with a performance by Tamara Wilson and Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. The filming of this recital was postponed due to Hurricane Laura. “It was important to us that we kick off this new {…}
Marquee TV, the multi-genre performing arts streaming service, has announced that it will be expanding its U.S. reach by partnering with Houston Grand Opera. Marquee will stream exclusive HGO Digital content and the Sarah and Ernest Butler Performance series worldwide for free. The partnership will be the first of its kind with a US-based performing arts organization, granting Marquee TV {…}
OPERA America has announced the nine companies that will be awarded $100,000 in grants for commissioning operas by female composers. The recipients include Beth Morrison Projects for Du Yun’s “In Our Daughter’s Eyes,” which is written by Michael Joseph McQuilken; Boston Lyric Opera for Ellen Reid and librettist Christopher Oscar Peña’s “The Desert Inn;” Guerilla Opera for “HER: alive / {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has announced that it will cancel 33 of 47 performances throughout the 2020-21 season due to continued concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak. The company announced that productions of “Carmen,” “Cinderella, “Werther,” “The Snowy Day,” and “Parsifal” would no longer be taking place. Instead, the organization will only move forward with performances of “Breaking the Waves” in {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has announced a new online summer camp called “Discover Opera.” The event invites youths ages 13-18 to learn songs appropriate for auditions while developing fluency in the international phonetic alphabet and engage with some of opera’s biggest stars. They will also get to practice stage combat and movement while strengthening their acting skills. The virtual summer {…}