Houston Grand Opera - Houston
29 March 2024

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Performance reviews

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La Traviata

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 6

A hardy HGO opens season on time with a retooled “Traviata”
22 Oct 17 / Classical Review
HGO's 'Traviata' triumphs by melting away its unique setting
22 Oct 17 / Houston Chronicle
Götterdämmerung

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 6

Gold standard
6 May 17 / TheaterJones
Houston Grand Opera’s spectacular “Götterdämmerung”
29 Apr 17 / Opera Warhorses
“Götterdämmerung” makes an electrifying climax to Houston Grand Opera’s high-tech Ring cycle
25 Apr 17 / Classical Review
Götterdämmerung sung with glorious voice at HGO
25 Apr 17 / Houston Press
Houston Grand Opera’s Götterdämmerung is a masterful tour de force
25 Apr 17 / Houstonia
Soprano electrifies Houston Grand Opera's epic end to the Ring Cycle
24 Apr 17 / Culturemap
After a soprano’s crisis, a Brünnhilde is born
Christine Goerke has cemented herself as the reigning American dramatic soprano of the day — the big payoff on a risky bet she made after a crisis nearly 14 years ago.
Die Entführung aus dem Serail

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 3

The Abduction from the Seraglio seals an excellent season at Houston Grand Opera
2 May 17 / Houstonia
The Abduction from the Seraglio is a wonderful cap on HGO's outstanding season
30 Apr 17 / Houston Press
Intrigue on a train and great singing power HGO's elegant The Abduction from the Seraglio
30 Apr 17 / Culturemap
Siegfried

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 4

Siegfried slashes like a samurai in Houston spectacle
26 Apr 16 / Classical Voice North America
Power of ambitious 'Siegfried' rings true
20 Apr 16 / Houston Chronicle
The cast of Siegfried triumphs in HGO's production of the Wagner classic
19 Apr 16 / Houston Press
Fear in future past
19 Apr 16 / Bachtrack
Jay Hunter Morris returns to Texas for Siegfried
Jay Hunter Morris says when his young son hears him practicing at home, running through scales or tackling the various roles he's taken on, he asks his father why he sings so loud.
Messa da Requiem

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 4

Verdi's Requiem at HGO offers all that heaven could want, but needs more hell
17 Feb 17 / Houston Press
Fast and furious
16 Feb 17 / ConcertoNet (English)
The Houston Grand Opera does Verdi's Messa da Requiem but never finds the right tempo
15 Feb 17 / TheaterJones
Heaven-storming drama and grace under pressure with HGO’s Verdi Requiem
13 Feb 17 / Classical Review
Nixon in China

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 7

Of race and opera: Two views on 'Nixon in China' — and theatrical stereotypes
5 Feb 17 / Dallas Morning News
HGO's rousing Nixon in China stays in tune with the times
25 Jan 17 / Culturemap
'Nixon in China' can't hide behind art to avoid social responsibility
24 Jan 17 / Houston Chronicle
Houston Grand Opera’s Nixon in China turns 30
24 Jan 17 / Houstonia
Nixon in China returns to the Wortham with musical glories and a dense libretto
23 Jan 17 / Houston Press
Balancing act
23 Jan 17 / ConcertoNet (English)
Inspired cast makes HGO’s “Nixon in China” a return trip worth taking
22 Jan 17 / Classical Review
Houston Grand Opera questioned over use of white actors
Advocacy group calls decision to use white actors for Asian roles in Nixon in China 'not OK'.
It's a Wonderful Life

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Doors and wings
16 Dec 16 / TheaterJones
Jake Heggie’s celestial transformation of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
10 Dec 16 / Opera Warhorses
It's a Wonderful Life, but gloomy opera lacks holiday spirit
5 Dec 16 / Culturemap
HGO's "It's a Wonderful Life" soars
5 Dec 16 / Houston Chronicle
HGO gives effective and colorful premiere for Heggie’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”
4 Dec 16 / Classical Review
Faust

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Un deslucido Fausto en Houston
14 Dec 16 / Opera World (Spanish)
Could it be Satan?
9 Nov 16 / TheaterJones
World class singing in classic “Faust”
5 Nov 16 / Opera Warhorses
A descent into hell with wonderful voices and music
1 Nov 16 / Houston Press
Houston Grand Opera's terrifying and charming Faust is a don't miss hit
1 Nov 16 / Culturemap
L'elisir d'amore

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 4

A tasty treat
9 Nov 16 / TheaterJones
Engaging “Elixir of Love” at Houston Grand Opera
5 Nov 16 / Opera Warhorses
Elixir of Love a bel canto treat from Houston Grand Opera
5 Nov 16 / Houston Press
What is special about this production is its setting, on the Amalfi coast of Italy, in the 1950s
26 Oct 16 / Broadway World
Carousel

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 1

HGO's Carousel catches some of the magic, buoyed by its great songs
26 Apr 16 / Houston Press
Prince of Players

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Floyd's Prince fails to command
14 Mar 16 / ConcertoNet (English)
'Prince of Players' score soars, while libretto is a letdown
8 Mar 16 / Houston Chronicle
Sophisticated Prince of Players triumphs in beautiful premiere
8 Mar 16 / Culturemap
Floyd’s “Prince of Players” receives effective world premiere at Houston Grand Opera
8 Mar 16 / Classical Review
Struggling to find his part to play
8 Mar 16 / Wall Street Journal
Rusalka

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 6

At Houston Grand Opera, Dvořák's gorgeous Rusalka makes a solid case for this work to be performed more often
8 Feb 16 / TheaterJones
HGO excels with unsentimental 'Rusalka'
2 Feb 16 / Houston Chronicle
HGO's production of Rusalka is opera at its finest
2 Feb 16 / Houston Press
Forests and trees
2 Feb 16 / ConcertoNet (English)
Houston Grand Opera delivers a magical evening with Rusalka
1 Feb 16 / Culturemap
Magical debuts make the myth alive in Houston Grand Opera's Rusalka
31 Jan 16 / Bachtrack
Le nozze di Figaro

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Groovy Figaro
8 Feb 16 / TheaterJones
A groovier "Figaro" survives opening night illness
26 Jan 16 / Houston Chronicle
Houston Grand Opera wastes a Figaro
26 Jan 16 / Bachtrack
The show must go on, even if Figaro falls flat on its face
25 Jan 16 / Culturemap
HGO's The Marriage of Figaro loses its Count, has no understudy, but the show goes on!
24 Jan 16 / Houston Press
The Little Prince

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 2

Houston Grand Opera's 'Little Prince' sings from the heart
8 Dec 15 / Houston Chronicle
A charmed Little Prince at Houston Grand Opera
8 Dec 15 / Bachtrack
Tosca

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 6

Puccini's Tosca is a lavishly sung production and worth the drive
5 Nov 15 / TheaterJones
Sex and Violence At HGO in Tosca
27 Oct 15 / Houston Press
A timeless Tosca at Houston Grand Opera
27 Oct 15 / Bachtrack
Tosca returns, triumphant
26 Oct 15 / ConcertoNet (English)
Tosca triumphs in stunning Houston Grand Opera season opener
25 Oct 15 / Culturemap
Grand voices highlight HGO’s latest 'Tosca'
25 Oct 15 / Houston Chronicle
Eugene Onegin

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 3

Houston Grand Opera's Eugene Onegin stars an unlikely hero
3 Nov 15 / Bachtrack
HGO's ambitious production of Eugene Onegin sparkles in quest for love
1 Nov 15 / Culturemap
Katie Van Kooten excels as heart of 'Eugene Onegin'
1 Nov 15 / Houston Chronicle
Die Walküre

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 8

Ride, Walkuries, ride!
7 May 15 / TheaterJones
Superb cast in Fura del Baus’ American Walküre debut
7 May 15 / Bachtrack
Wunderbar
2 May 15 / Broadway World
Houston's “Die Walkure” splendidly sung, played, fussily staged
26 Apr 15 / Dallas Morning News
Houston Walküre showcases two starry sopranos
25 Apr 15 / Classical Voice North America
Jamie Barton shines bright in Houston Opera’s “Ring” cycle
24 Apr 15 / Arts Atlanta
HGO's Die Walküre comes complete with a gang-buster finale and powerful voices
21 Apr 15 / Houston Press
HGO's Die Walküre offers more subdued take on Wagner
21 Apr 15 / Houstonia
A Brünnhilde for the ages
Christine Goerke's upcoming portrayal of Brünnhilde in the Houston Grand Opera's "Die Walküre" is a step in a larger journey.
Sweeney Todd

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 2

Devilish delights
2 May 15 / ConcertoNet (English)
More Intense Insanity Needed in HGO's Sweeney Todd
28 Apr 15 / Houston Press
Die Zauberflöte

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 3

HGO offers a new version of perennial favorite, 'Magic Flute'
3 Feb 15 / Houston Chronicle
Kathryn Lewek soars as Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute
3 Feb 15 / Houston Press
A Flute for all
3 Feb 15 / ConcertoNet (English)
Madama Butterfly

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 3

Ana Maria Martinez Soars in HGO's Madame Butterfly
27 Jan 15 / Houston Press
Butterfly soars, again
26 Jan 15 / ConcertoNet (English)
Houston Grand Opera's 'Butterfly' is a vocal, dramatic feast
25 Jan 15 / Houston Chronicle
A Christmas Carol

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 3

One tenor’s spirit haunts operatic Christmas Carol
18 Dec 14 / Classical Voice North America
An astounding performance of Iain Bell’s brilliant new Dickens opera
18 Dec 14 / Financial Times
HGO's 'A Christmas Carol' proves a tour de force
9 Dec 14 / Houston Chronicle
Otello

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 3

Seeing red
8 Nov 14 / ConcertoNet (English)
A listless Otello — How is that possible?
8 Nov 14 / Seen and Heard
Houston Grand Opera brings out visceral power of Verdi's 'Otello"
26 Oct 14 / Houston Chronicle
Houston Grand Opera to stage demanding 'Otello'
Opera companies worldwide revere Giuseppe Verdi's adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Othello." Yet they rarely perform it.
Così fan tutte

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 4

HGO's 'Cosi fan tutte' delivers humor, humanity of Mozart story
5 Nov 14 / Houston Chronicle
Così fan tutte proves the battle of the sexes is nothing new
5 Nov 14 / Houston Press
Bubbly Così delights
4 Nov 14 / ConcertoNet (English)
Stand-in steals the show in HGO's bland Cosi fan tutte, but the music still scores
3 Nov 14 / Culturemap
Carmen

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 6

La Carmenicita è un buon affare
17 May 14 / L'Ape musicale
HGO's Carmen is the ultimate in gypsy love
29 Apr 14 / Houston Press
Singing and dancing
29 Apr 14 / ConcertoNet (English)
Houston Grand Opera's Carmen is sultry and opulent
28 Apr 14 / Broadway World
Houston Grand Opera presents a vital 'Carmen'
28 Apr 14 / Houston Chronicle
More Carmen Miranda than stunning Carmen
28 Apr 14 / Culturemap
Das Rheingold

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 6

Stupore sul Reno
17 May 14 / L'Ape musicale
Das Rheingold is a golden start for HGO
17 Apr 14 / Houston Press
And they're off!
16 Apr 14 / ConcertoNet (English)
The 'Ring' circus begins in Houston
15 Apr 14 / Wall Street Journal
Wagner's tale comes to life
13 Apr 14 / Houston Chronicle
Houston begins a sci-fi Wagner ‘Ring’
13 Apr 14 / Dallas Morning News
Houston Grand Opera goes for the gold with the "Ring" cycle
Long before "The Lord of the Rings," there was "The Ring of the Nibelung."
A Little Night Music

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 3

A gorgeous land of make believe
22 Mar 14 / ConcertoNet (English)
Mismatched lovers shine in 'A Little Night Music'
12 Mar 14 / Houston Chronicle
Houston Grand Opera's intoxicating production of A Little Night Music is a whole lot of fun
10 Mar 14 / Culturemap
A Coffin in Egypt

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Frederica von Stade makes her comeback in Ricky Ian Gordon’s gentle and reflective new opera
20 Mar 14 / Financial Times
Opera great Frederica von Stade triumphs one more time but can't redeem lackluster world premiere
18 Mar 14 / Culturemap
Houston Grand Opera's A Coffin in Egypt is rarely moving
17 Mar 14 / Broadway World
A great voice carries on
17 Mar 14 / ConcertoNet (English)
Opera condenses family saga into one compelling character
16 Mar 14 / Houston Chronicle
Rigoletto

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Houston Grand Opera's Rigoletto is sung well but flatly acted
10 Feb 14 / Broadway World
Standing still
31 Jan 14 / TheaterJones
Continuing the trend
28 Jan 14 / ConcertoNet (English)
Rigoletto at HGO has promising performances, but this is not definitive Verdi
28 Jan 14 / Houston Press
Rigoletto brings sublime moments and a new sensation
27 Jan 14 / Culturemap
The Passenger

Houston Grand Opera


No. of reviews: 7

The Passenger a striking opera about the Holocaust
31 Jan 14 / The Toronto Star
Lyric-bound opera confronts Holocaust issues in strong U.S. premiere
24 Jan 14 / Chicago Tribune
A forgotten opera exquisitely crafted and delivered with power
23 Jan 14 / Houston Press
'Passenger' capture pain of Auschwitz and its aftermath
23 Jan 14 / Houston Chronicle
Weinberg’s opera haunts, challenges
21 Jan 14 / ConcertoNet (English)
Houston Grand Opera's US premiere of The Passenger is brilliant
21 Jan 14 / Broadway World
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Performance schedule
Mozart
19 Apr to 3 May 2024
Rodgers
26 Apr to 12 May 2024
Verdi
18 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
Rossini
25 Oct to 9 Nov 2024
Puccini
24 Jan to 14 Feb 2025
Bernstein
31 Jan to 15 Feb 2025
Mazzoli
19 Apr to 4 May 2025
Wagner
25 Apr to 11 May 2025

News & Articles

Houston Grand Opera to open next season with world premiere
The debut of Jake Heggie's piece, 'Intelligence', marks the first time in the company's history that it has kicked off a season with a new work.
22 Mar 2023 / Houston Chronicle
Houston Grand Opera’s 2022-23 season leans into female power
The Houston debuts of acclaimed soprano Angel Blue and mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke are among the highlights.
2 Mar 2022 / Houston Chronicle
Khori Dastoor to lead Houston Grand Opera
Opera San José chief Khori Dastoor tapped to lead Houston Grand Opera.
30 Jun 2021 / San Francisco Chronicle
Houston Grand Opera to present ‘An Evening with Jonas Kaufmann’
Jonas Kaufmann is set to perform a concert at the Houston Grand Opera on Oct. 6, 2021.
26 Jun 2021 / OperaWire
Houston Grand Opera managing director steps down
Perryn Leech oversaw HGO as managing director for nearly a decade.
21 Nov 2020 / Houston Chronicle