Donnie Ray Albert

Review: PORGY AND BESS at Houston Grand Opera
by Armando Urdiales - Oct 25, 2025

As Houston performing arts ventures grow for the 2025-26 season, Houston Grand Opera surpasses them all with a thrilling 50th anniversary production of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Starring powerhouse performers Angel Blue and Michael Sumuel in the title roles, this theatrical staging further cements HGO's monolithic presence not only in Houston but in the world of opera at large.

Houston Grand Opera to Open Season with THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 25, 2025

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) will launch its 2025–26 season with The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, beginning October 24 at the Wortham Theater Center. The production is directed by Francesca Zambello.

OPERA America Reveals 2025 Opera Hall Of Fame Inductees
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 28, 2025

OPERA America has inducted nine exemplary artists, administrators, and advocates to the Opera Hall of Fame as the class of 2025. Learn more about the honorees here!

Tickets on Sale Now for PORGY AND BESS at Houston Grand Opera
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 23, 2025

Houston Grand Opera is now offering single tickets to all performances of the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.

Experiential Orchestra and Videmus Announce THE JULIA PERRY CENTENARY CELEBRATION AND FESTIVAL, March 13- 16
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2024

Join us in New York City from March 13-16th for the Julia Perry Centenary Celebration and Festival, a tribute to the brilliance and legacy of Julia Perry.

The Julia Perry Centenary Celebration & Festival In New York City Full Schedule Announced, March 13-16
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 2, 2024

Join Experiential Orchestra and Videmus for The Julia Perry Centenary Celebration and Festival in New York City from March 13-16, 2024.

World Premiere of THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY & More Set for Dallas Opera 2023/2024 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 16, 2023

 The Dallas Opera’s 2023/2024 Season has been announced! See how to purchase tickets!

Dallas Opera Announces Semi-Finalists For Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition
by Stephi Wild - Mar 9, 2023

​​​​​​​The Dallas Opera announced 18 semi-finalists for the second annual Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition presented by The Dallas Opera Guild and co-chaired by Jana and Mac Irwin.

UCI To Host 25th Anniversary African American Art Song Alliance Conference
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 11, 2022

If early African American classical music composers such as Scott Joplin, who went bankrupt trying to promote his 1911 opera “Treemonisha,” had been better received by white audiences – particularly philanthropists – the history of American music might be much different than it is today.

UCI to Host 25th Anniversary African American Art Song Alliance Conference
by Michael Major - Oct 10, 2022

If early African American classical music composers such as Scott Joplin, who went bankrupt trying to promote his 1911 opera “Treemonisha,” had been better received by white audiences – particularly philanthropists – the history of American music might be much different than it is now.

Presenting the West Coast Premiere of Roy Harris Bicentennial Symphony At The Walt Disney Concert Hall
by Grace Cutler - Jul 16, 2022

The MusicUNTOLD Orchestra and Los Angeles Master Chorale present the West Coast premiere of American composer Roy Harris’ Bicentennial Symphony.

Houston Grand Opera Presents ROMEO AND JULIET at Miller Outdoor Theatre This Month
by Stephi Wild - May 6, 2022

On Friday, May 20, and Saturday, May 21, Houston Grand Opera (HGO) will present Gounod's sweeping adaptation of Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, at Miller Outdoor Theatre in a new production led by the talented artists of the HGO Studio.

Lyric Opera Of Chicago Presents TWILIGHT: GODS ON FILM
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 27, 2021

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today that registration is now open to secure a free link to screen the film of the critically acclaimed and sold-out presentation of Twilight: Gods — a radical reimagining of Wagner's Götterdämmerung, directed by Yuval Sharon, that took place at Millennium Lakeside Parking Garage in late April 2021.

Guest Blog: Opera Star Kim Begley Talks Joining Forces On 'King Lear'
by BWW Staff - Jul 5, 2021

The celebrated tenor Kim Begley made his Royal Opera House debut in 1983 and has since then established himself at the forefront of the repertoire, with credits ranging from Britten to Busoni, Wagner to Brett Dean's opera of Hamlet. In keeping wih Shakespeare, if not this time round with singing, Begley has joined a starry lineup of British opera world names to perform King Lear later this month at the Grange Festival for three performances - and we're talking the play in its full, unadultered majesty and not the opera, with Sit John Tomlinson as Lear, Thomas Allen as Gloucester, and Begley as the Fool, and many other notable names besides. As it happens, Begley cut his teeth as a performer some years back with the Royal Shakespeare Company and explains this return to his classical roots below. 

New Programming Added to Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2020/21 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2021

Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced additional programs to add to the variety of offerings in its reimagined 2020/21 Season. These include a concert honoring Sir Andrew Davis; a new approach to the annual Rising Stars in Concert by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and more.

Theater Stories: WICKED, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, SWEENEY TODD, The Theater Hall of Fame & More About The Gershwin Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 28, 2021

Today's Theater Stories features the Gershwin Theatre! Learn about the theatre's longest running show, Wicked; the extravagant production of Starlight Express; the Theater Hall of fame featuring theater's biggest names, and more!

Houston Grand Opera Presents GIVING VOICE On HGO Digital
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2021

After the triumphant sold-out concert at the Wortham last year—Giving Voice: Lawrence Brownlee and Friends Sing Opera, Gospel, and Standards—internationally renowned tenor Lawrence Brownlee returns with his co-host, celebrated soprano, HGO Studio alumna, and frequent HGO collaborator Nicole Heaston.

Fort Worth Opera Announces World Premiere Film BERNADETTE'S COZY BOOK NOOK
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 19, 2020

Fort Worth Opera has announced the world premiere film of composer Joe Illick and librettist Mark Campbell's Bernadette's Cozy Book Nook. 

Music Academy Of The West Has Announced 2020 Keston MAX Fellows To Perform With London Symphony Orchestra
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2020

Twelve outstanding Music Academy of the West musicians have been selected by audition to travel to London this April for ten days of intensive training with the London Symphony Orchestra [LSO] and its Music Director Sir Simon Rattle, as part of the second year of the Linda and Michael Keston Music Academy of the West Exchange (Keston MAX) with the LSO.

Austin Critics Table Announces 2018-2019 Award Nominees
by Frank Benge - May 13, 2019

After considering hundreds of live stage productions, concerts, and art exhibitions in Austin between the dates of May 1, 2018, and April 30, 2019, members of the Austin Critics Table have announced their nominees for outstanding dance, classical music, visual art, and theatre with the nominees for the 2019 Critics Table Awards.