HGO’s 2018-19 season seeks the human spirit ‘The Phoenix’
The Houston Grand Opera has announced its 201819 season, a return to the Wortham Theater Center that mixes new works, presented under the initiative “Seeking the Human Spirit,” and classics from Mozart, Wagner and Puccini.
The season will be the first back in HGO’s traditional home after an entire season at the George R. Brown Convention Center in the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s devastation. The Wortham was flooded during the storm, forcing HGO to build a makeshift opera stage in an expansive but empty convention hall.
The upcoming season will be the second involving “Seeking the Human Spirit,” a well-funded initiative to produce new, interdisciplinary opera.
The season also welcomes back beloved names in opera, including Nicole Heaston, Ana María Martínez and Andrzej Dobber, who all sing major parts in canonical operas.
Here is the season’s lineup:
‘The Flying Dutchman’
Oct. 19–Nov. 2
New production by Tomer Zvulun features return of baritone Andrzej Dobber as the Dutchman and role debut of HGO Studio alumna Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Senta. (This production is a “Seeking the Human Spirit” presentation.)
‘La Bohème’
Oct. 26–Nov. 11
Houston soprano Nicole Heaston stars in revival of 2012 HGO production by awardwinning director John Caird.
‘Florencia en el Amazonas’
Jan. 18–Feb. 3, 2019
Houston favorite and HGO Studio alumna Ana María Martínez takes title role, Francesca Zambello directs an enhanced revival of Daniel Catán’s homage to magical realism, originally premiered by HGO. (“Seeking the Human Spirit” presentation)
‘The Pearl Fishers’
Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 2019 HGO performances feature renowned tenor Lawrence Brownlee and baritone Mariusz Kwiecien in eye-popping Zandra Rhodes production.
‘Don Giovanni’
April 20–May 5, 2019
New HGO co-production features house debuts of director Kasper Holten and baritone Philippe Sly, role debuts of Ailyn Pérez as Donna Anna and HGO Studio alumnus Ryan McKinny as Leporello. April 26–May 10, 2019
World-renowned bassbaritone Luca Pisaroni and baritone Thomas Hampson bring Lorenzo da Ponte to life in world premiere by Tarik O’Regan and John Caird. (“Seeking the Human Spirit” presentation)