Houston Grand Opera News

New Amsterdam Opera is thrilled to announce its Artistic Advisory Board. These masters in their respective fields have graciously agreed to share their artistic counsel, wisdom, and expertise with New Amsterdam Opera in pursuing its mission of Opera with a Purpose - To Enchant, Enlighten, & Engage!

Houston, March 22, 2016— Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is extending the company's offer of free renewals for subscription packages to all laid-off employees from the energy industry who are current subscribers. HGO first announced the offer in September 2015 for subscriptions to the current season.  The company recently kicked off subscription sales for the 2016–17season; the offer will now apply to those subscriptions as well.   

San Francisco Opera Guild celebrates British-native Matthew Shilvock, San Francisco Opera's General Director Designate, with a Nod to Mod Ball on Wednesday, April 20 at San Francisco City Hall. San Francisco Opera Guild co-chairs at the helm of this very festive British-themed event are Ms. Maryam Muduroglu and Ms. CJ Van Pelt.

What happens when a megastar hires an underemployed young actor to work for her in her basement shopping mall? Best job ever-or a disaster waiting to happen? You can find out in Jonathan Tolins' outrageous and insightful play BUYER & CELLAR, beginning its four-week run in The Studio at Stage West today, March 17. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show's star!

Theatre for a New Audience has announced complete casting for A DOLL'S HOUSE, in an adaptation by Thornton Wilder not seen in New York since its Broadway premiere in 1937, and August Strindberg's THE FATHER, in a new version by Scottish author David Greig (Strindberg's Creditors at BAM) commissioned by Theatre for a New Audience.

The San Francisco Symphony returns to Carnegie Hall with Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas for two concerts on Wednesday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. For the first performance, Mr. Tilson Thomas - widely considered the world's premier interpreter of the works of Aaron Copland - conducts music by the American master, including his Orchestral Variations and Inscape. The dynamic pianist Inon Barnatan joins the orchestra for a performance of Copland's Piano Concerto. The program concludes with Schumann's Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61. This season, Mr. Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony are performing and recording the complete Schumann symphonies for future release on SFS Media.

?After a months-long series of competitions at the district, regional, and national levels, a panel of expert judges named five young singers as the winners of the nation's most prestigious vocal competition, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Each winner receives a $15,000 cash prize and the prestige and exposure that come with winning the competition that launched the careers of many of opera's biggest stars.

LA Opera's 30th Anniversary Season continues with Giacomo Puccini's beloved Madame Butterfly, starring soprano Ana María Martínez as Cio-Cio-San.

Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald brings her acclaimed portrayal of Billie Holiday in the Broadway smash LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL to HBO tonight, March 12 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT).

After an international search, Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has chosen three new singers and one new pianist/coach for the 2016-17 HGO Studio. The artists are Yelena Dyachek, soprano, the Ana Maria Martinez Encouragement Award recipient at Concert of Arias 2016;  Zoie Reams, mezzo-soprano, the second-place prize winner at Concert of Arias 2016;  Sol Jin, baritone, the Audience Choice Award winner at Concert of Arias 2016; and Peter Walsh, pianist/coach. One of the most respected and highly competitive young artist programs in the world, the HGO Studio provides comprehensive career development to young singers, pianist/coaches, and conductors who have demonstrated potential to make major contributions to the field of opera. The HGO Studio received applications from 475 artists; of those, about 275 were heard in auditions in Houston, New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles. For singers, the audition process culminates in HGO's annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers, held this year on February 4.

The full cast is announced for the final production in the Coronet's spring season, DEATHWATCH, from April 11 to May 7. This new Print Room production of Jean Genet's powerful and provocative first play, in a translation by David Rudkin, marks its first major revival in almost 30 years. Deathwatch stars Danny Lee Wynter, Joseph Quinn, Tom Varey and Emma Naomi, and is directed by Geraldine Alexander, who received critical acclaim for the direction of her own play, Amygdala, at The Print Room's former space in 2013. The Coronet is also working with playwright David Rudkin on complementary activity around the production.

Houston, March 7, 2016—After an international search, Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has chosen three new singers and one new pianist/coach for the 2016–17 HGO Studio. The artists are Yelena Dyachek, soprano, the Ana María Martínez Encouragement Award recipient at Concert of Arias 2016; Zoie Reams, mezzo-soprano, the second-place prize winner at Concert of Arias 2016; Sol Jin, baritone, the Audience Choice Award winner at Concert of Arias 2016; and Peter Walsh, pianist/coach. One of the most respected and highly competitive young artist programs in the world, the HGO Studio provides comprehensive career development to young singers, pianist/coaches, and conductors who have demonstrated potential to make major contributions to the field of opera. The HGO Studio received applications from 475 artists; of those, about 275 were heard in auditions in Houston, New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles. For singers, the audition process culminates in HGO's annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers, held this year on February 4.

Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore returns to the Met stage on March 10 starring Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak and Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo as the two young lovers, Adina and Nemorino. Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola makes his company debut leading performances of Bartlett Sher's 2012 staging. Alessandro Corbelli sings the role of Dulcamara, the loveable con man who sells the “magic elixir” of love, along with Adam Plachetka as the sergeant Belcore, who attempts to court Adina. Mario Chang and Pietro Spagnoli sing the last two performances on April 2 and 7 as Nemorino and Dulcamara respectively.

Following yesterday's highly competitive semi-final competition, nine young singers will advance to the final phase of the Metropolitan Opera's 2016 National Council Auditions, America's most prestigious vocal competition. The selected finalists, chosen by a panel of experts from the classical music industry, will compete on the Met stage on Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m. The winners will receive individual cash prizes of $15,000 and the prestigious-and potentially career-launching-title of National Council Auditions Winner. The Grand Finals Concert will feature Antony Walker conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra as each finalist performs two arias.

What happens when a megastar hires an underemployed young actor to work for her in her basement shopping mall? Best job ever-or a disaster waiting to happen? You can find out in Jonathan Tolins' outrageous and insightful play BUYER & CELLAR, beginning its four-week run in The Studio at Stage West on Thursday, March 17. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show's star!

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) presents the world premiere of PRINCE OF PLAYERS by distinguished American composer Carlisle Floyd on March 5, 11, and 13, 2016. A chamber opera in two acts, PRINCE OF PLAYERS is a high-spirited period piece that examines the fluidity of sexuality and gender roles. Scroll down for a first look at the cast onstage!

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) will present the world premiere of Prince of Players by distinguished American composer Carlisle Floyd tonight, March 5, and March 11 and 13, 2016. A chamber opera in two acts, Prince of Players is a high-spirited period piece that examines the fluidity of sexuality and gender roles.

NEW DRAMATISTS,Tony® Honor recipient and the nation's premier playwright development laboratory, will honor six-time Tony Award winning actress, Audra McDonald with their 2016 Distinguished Achievement Award at its 67th Annual Spring Luncheon tribute. The event will be held Thursday, May 12 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

Three Weeks of Beethoven returns for a second year at the Houston Symphony this month, featuring Beethoven's second, third, eighth and ninth symphonies. In musical contrast, Superheroes at the Symphony!, and An Evening with Matthew Morrison will round out the last weekend of the month.