Tenor Norman Reinhardt Joins the Houston Grand Opera's COSÌ FAN TUTTE as Ferrando

Tenor Norman Reinhardt will sing the role of Ferrando in Houston Grand Opera's production of Così fan tutte, it was announced today by HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. He replaces Stephen Costello, who has withdrawn due to illness. Mr. Reinhardt is in Houston to perform the role of Cassio in Verdi's Otello and will play Ferrando concurrently. Otello opens October 24, and Cosi fan tutte opens October 31.

"It is our great good fortune to have such an experienced Ferrando already in our midst," said Maestro Summers. "Norman, who has blossomed so deeply in the years since he left the HGO Studio, will be a perfect addition to this cast. I am grateful to him for taking on this demanding challenge. Meanwhile, we wish Stephen Costello a speedy recovery."

Norman Reinhardt, who has been praised for the "ringing heft of his voice" (Opera), has sung the role of Ferrando at Israeli Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Colorado, and Oper Leipzig. Recent engagements include his role debut as Tom Rakewell in The Rake's Progress and Tamino in The Magic Flutefor Oper Leipzig, and Tamino at the Bregenz Festival. Highlights in the 2014-15 season include Arturo in La straniera (Theater an der Wien); Verdi's Requiem in Lisbon, and Tom Rakewell in The Rake's Progress at Utah Opera. An HGO Studio alumnus, he has returned to the company to sing roles including Jaquino in Fidelio (2011); Lysander in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream (2009); and Benedict in Beatrice and Benedict (2008).

Harry Silverstein's much-loved HGO staging of Mozart's Così fan tutte was originally created as a tribute to Swedish director Göran Järvefelt's1988 production; according to the Houston Press, "under the deft direction of Harry Silverstein," the production "fully realized the potential of the late Swedish director Göran Järvefelt's inventive, multiple-use staging."

Mr. Reinhardt joins a stellar group of singers for this comic ensemble masterpiece, written at the height of the composer's creative powers. South African baritone Jacques Imbrailo returns as Guglielmo, a role he has sung to acclaim at Glyndebourne, after his success in HGO's Rape of Lucretiaduring the 2011-12 season. HGO Studio alumna and winner of the 2010 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Rachel Willis-Sørensen,soprano, reprises her "radiant Fiordiligi" (Opera Today) alongside the Dorabella of soprano Melody Moore; an audience and critical favorite in HGO's Show Boat, Moore was also seen as Marta in the company's American premiere of The Passenger in HGO's 2013­-14 season. Italian bass-baritone Alessandro Corbelli revisits his "authoritative Alfonso" (Opera News), with Italian soprano Nuccia Focile, Seattle Opera's 2012-13 Artist of the Year, as Despina.

Maestro Summers, whose direction of Così fan tutte includes performances at the Metropolitan Opera, will conduct.

About Houston Grand Opera

Since its inception in 1955, Houston Grand Opera has grown from a small regional organization into an internationally renowned opera company. HGO enjoys a reputation for commissioning and producing new works, including 54 world premieres and seven American premieres since 1973. In addition to producing and performing world-class opera, HGO contributes to the cultural enrichment of Houston and the nation through a diverse and innovative program of performances, community events, and education projects that reaches the widest possible public. HGO has toured extensively, including trips to Europe and Asia, and has won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and two Emmy awards-the only opera company to have won all three awards.

Through HGOco, Houston Grand Opera creates opportunities for Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds to observe, participate in, and create art. Its Song of Houston project is an ongoing initiative to create and share work based on stories that define the unique character of our city and its diverse cultures. Since 2007, HGOco has commissioned sixteen new works along with countless innovative community projects, reaching more than one million people in the greater Houston metropolitan area. The NEXUS Initiative is HGO's multi-year ticket underwriting program that allows Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy world-class opera without the barrier of price. Since 2007 NEXUS has enabled more than 175,000 Houstonians to experience first-quality opera through discounted single tickets and subscriptions, subsidized student performances, and free productions.

Photo Courtesy of the Houston Grand Opera

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