I too sing, America: American Stories at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts - Zilkha Hall

A landmark concert celebrating Houston Ebony Opera Guild’s 40th Anniversary
Presented by the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts with Houston Ebony Opera Guild

This evening of extraordinary music pays tribute to the Guild’s founder, Robert A. Henry, and key figures who played pivotal roles in advancing and sustaining the organization’s legacy.

The first half of the concert will feature a fully staged performance of Highway 1, USA, a one-act opera by William Grant Still. This powerful work, last performed by the Guild nearly 25 years ago, will be presented with an exceptional cast of local operatic soloists. The vivid and passionate music of Still, “the dean of African-American composers,” accompanies this dramatic post-war tale of an ungrateful young man’s exploitation, attempted seduction and near-murder of his brother’s wife. All of this and more in the roadside service station owned by the victims: a loyal, hard-working couple.

The second half of the concert will showcase a selection of choral and solo works inspired by Robert Henry and other influential figures who have contributed to the Guild’s artistic and organizational growth. Each piece reflects their musical passions, from opera and choral masterworks to large-scale spiritual arrangements.

This evening will be a celebration of legacy and artistry, ensuring that HEOG’s impact resonates for years to come.