Houston Grand Opera’s 2019–20 Season Features Lineup of Seven Productions
Productions have never been seen by Houston audiences
The upcoming season presents Javier Martínez and Leonard Foglia’s world premiere of El Milagro del Recuerdo, the North American premiere of Saul, new productions of Rigoletto and Aida, a dazzling production of The Magic Flute, the rarely performed La favorite, and the much-anticipated return of Salome.
The 65th season will open October 18, 2019, with Verdi’s classic Rigoletto. Tomer Zvulun returns to direct the season opener after successfully opening the 2018–19 season with his production of The Flying Dutchman.
The tradition of holiday-themed opera returns in the 2019–20 season with the company’s 67th world premiere: Javier Martínez and Leonard Foglia’s El Milagro del Recuerdo / The Miracle of Remembering. The opera is a prequel to Cruzar la Cara de la Luna. Keeping with the theme of family found in both operas, Mexican composer Javier Martínez continues the legacy of mariachi opera established by his late father, José “Pepe” Martínez, in a collaboration with Foglia.
The winter features beloved HGO Studio alumnae and opera powerhouses Jamie Barton and Tamara Wilson. The repertoire begins with Donizetti’s rarely performed La favorite with superstar Jamie Barton and the HGO audience favorite tenor Lawrence Brownlee for this rarely performed bel canto jewel. La favorite shares the stage with Verdi’s timeless Aida in a new production directed by Phelim McDermott.
In the spring of 2020, Lise Lindstrom makes her HGO debut in the title role of Salome alongside HGO Studio alumnus Ryan McKinny. In a production directed by Francisco Negrin, Salome returns to the Wortham stage for the first time in 20 years.
Eun Sun Kim takes the podium conducting in her first outing in Houston since being named HGO’s principal guest conductor in 2018. The season closes with Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s wildly inventive production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute with an exceptional international cast.
HGO Managing Director Perryn Leech said, “We are so proud to announce a full season as we recover from the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Harvey. The positive response from our board, supporters, and local community is unparalleled, and we are once again able to produce 7 exceptional mainstage opera productions. As we progress towards full recovery, we are excited to deepen our collaborative partnerships within the city as we continue to tell the stories of the communities that call Houston home.”
Additionally, Houston Grand Opera welcomes Joyce DiDonato for In War & Peace, a one-night concert event on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.
The world-renowned HGO Studio alumna returns to the Wortham stage for the first time since 2015 to present a concert designed to open conversation about art that unifies, transcends borders, connects the disconnected, and gloriously exalts the spirit. Tickets for this special evening will be available in late spring.
Photos: HGO