THE SKY’S SO DARK AND VELVET-LIKE AND ITʼS ALL LIT UP WITH STARS. ITʼS LIKE A GREAT BIG MIRROR REFLECTIN’ FIREFLIES OVER A POND.
"AIN’T IT A PRETTY NIGHT!"
Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah
here are moments in opera so big, they’re like gazing into the night sky. In the darkness of theater, we take in the sparkling show, and we recognize that we’re part of something shared— an eternal story, written in the stars. These moments are so beautiful, so full of universal truths, they hold us spellbound. And, together, we let the music and poetry in.
Houston Grand Opera’s ambitious 2026-27 season is made of such moments. As a company, we’ve been building incredible momentum—from our newly minted Grammy Award to international acclaim—and we’re not stopping now. We’re going grander than ever before, bringing our city six monumental masterpieces that invite audiences to revel in the emotion, and the awe, of our art form, performed by the brightest stars from across the planet.
The season will launch with Carlisle Floyd’s moving masterwork Susannah, coming to Houston in a new staging directed by opera luminary Patricia Racette, with our internationally acclaimed Music Director Designate— James Gaffigan—at the podium. This most American of operas will be followed by a luscious French affair, Gounod’s Faust: a diabolical, dance-infused tale of passion, seduction, and redemption reset by the visionary David McVicar in glittering Belle Époque Paris.
Opening our winter repertoire is a fan favorite as it’s never been seen before, Verdi’s towering Aida, presented in a new, globally inspired production from Kaneza Schaal
that will add fascinating layers to the classic tale of a doomed princess and her warrior lover. We pair that with another wildly inventive interpretation of an opera audiences adore, Mozart’s sublime The Magic Flute, which delightfully transports the story’s quest for enlightenment to a 19th-century hotel.
In the spring, we present Richard Strauss’s lushly romantic comedy of manners, Der Rosenkavalier, in a gorgeously stylish production, followed by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s musical Show Boat. Directed by Francesca Zambello, this epic tale of love and injustice on the Mississippi, set to a genre-bending score, will be conducted by Maestro Patrick Summers in his first year as HGO’s Music Director Emeritus.
While a season as grand as this one feels like destiny, the truth is, nothing we do at this company is preordained. We can only present these masterpieces for Houston because of you, who believe in this art form and show up for it. Who make time for wonder, and for magic. We’ll see you at the theater, all lit up with stars.
Khori Dastoor GENERAL DIRECTOR AND CEO
MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS CHAIR
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susannah
INNOCENCE ON TRIAL
A deeply American masterpiece, Susannah , launches HGO’s 2026-27 season, continuing the company’s centenary celebration of opera icon Carlisle Floyd. Set in the hills of Tennessee and inspired by Floyd’s own roots as a minister’s son, the story follows Susannah, a young woman whose life is shattered after she’s seen bathing in a creek by church elders, leading to cruel gossip, judgment, and finally, her harrowing assault. Shared through a score infused with revival hymns and Appalachian folksong—and a libretto, also by Floyd, written in colorful regional dialect—the opera will be presented in a new staging from celebrated soprano-turneddirector Patricia Racette. Soprano Angel Blue, an international sensation, makes her role debut as Susannah, with leading baritone Rod Gilfry as the Reverend Olin Blitch and rising tenors Bille Bruley and Aaron Blake as Sam and Little Bat. Maestro James Gaffigan conducts.
CARLISLE FLOYD
CAST & CREATIVES
Scenic
Costume
Lighting
Choreographer
Chorus
PRODUCTION
Terrylin
Carlisle
faust
WICKED PLEASURES, DIVINE MUSIC
WICKED PLEASURES, DIVINE MUSIC
Temptation, redemption, and the price of desire take center stage in Gounod’s Faust , arriving in a dazzling, dance-infused production from visionary director David McVicar. Reimagined as a tormented composer in Belle Époque Paris, the title character makes a fateful pact with Mephistopheles: his soul in exchange for youth and sensual pleasure. After Faust sets his sights on the pure-hearted Marguerite, his passion leads to her ruin—but also her salvation. Set to one of the most beloved scores in French opera, Faust is full of iconic moments, from the diabolical “Song of the Golden Calf” to Marguerite’s glittering “Jewel Song.” Sublime soprano Pretty Yende makes her company debut as Marguerite, joined by tenor Matthew Polenzani as Faust and bass-baritone Ildebrando D’Arcangelo as Mephistopheles. Giacomo Sagripanti, music director of the Tbilisi Opera House, conducts in his HGO debut.
redemption, and the price of desire take center stage in Gounod’s Faust , arriving in a dazzling, dance-infused production from visionary director McVicar. Reimagined as a tormented composer in Belle Époque Paris, the title character makes a fateful pact with Mephistopheles: his soul in exchange for youth and sensual pleasure. After Faust sets his sights on the pure-hearted Marguerite, his passion leads to her ruin—but also her salvation. Set to one of the most beloved scores in French opera, Faust is full of iconic moments, from the diabolical “Song of the Golden Calf” to Marguerite’s glittering “Jewel Song.” Sublime soprano Pretty Yende makes her company debut as Marguerite, joined by tenor Matthew Polenzani as Faust and bass-baritone Ildebrando D’Arcangelo as Mephistopheles. Giacomo Sagripanti, music director of the Tbilisi Opera House, conducts in his HGO debut.
CHARLES GOUNOD
CHARLES GOUNOD
Charles Gounod
Jules Barbier and Michel Carré
SUNG IN FRENCH
with projected English translation
Produced in Association with the Royal Ballet and Opera and Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Opéra de Lille, and Teatro Verdi Trieste MUSIC BY
CAST & CREATIVES
Faust
Matthew Polenzani
Siebel
Sun-Ly Pierce
Marguerite
Pretty Yende
Lynn Wyatt Great Artist
Conductor Giacomo Sagripanti
Mephistopheles
Ildebrando
D'Arcangelo
Original Director David McVicar
Claire
Revival Director
Peter Relton
Scenic Designer
Charles Edwards
Costume Designer
Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Original Lighting Designer
Paule Constable
Revival Lighting Designer
Michael James Clark
Original Choreographer
Michael Keegan-Dolan
Revival Choreographer Amit Noy
Chorus Director
Richard Bado
HGO Orchestra
HGO Chorus
PRODUCTION SUPPORTERS
Premier Guarantors
Dian and Harlan Stai
The Wortham Foundation, Inc.
aida
WHEN LOVE BECOMES LEGEND
Forty years after Aida opened the newly constructed Wortham Theater Center, Verdi’s monumental masterwork returns to HGO in a visionary new production from director Kaneza Schaal and artist Christopher Myers. Inspired by a diverse array of cultures and art forms from across the globe, this staging blooms with colors, flowers, and dance to share the opera’s story of love, betrayal, and sacrifice, set to an iconic score that represents the pinnacle of the Italian Romantic style. Radiant soprano Ailyn Pérez returns to HGO as enslaved Ethiopian woman Aida, with leading tenors Jonathan Tetelman and Adam Smith sharing the role of her love, Egyptian military commander Radames; Grammy Award-winning baritone Lucas Meachem in his role debut as Aida’s father, Amonasro; and powerful mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis as the revenge-bent Amneris. The celebrated Milanese conductor Michele Gamba makes his company debut at the podium.
GIUSEPPE VERDI
CAST & CREATIVES
Aida
Ailyn Pérez Novum Artist
Amneris
Radames
Jonathan Tetelman
Jan. 22, 27, 30, Feb. 3, 7
Conductor Michele Gamba
Radames
Adam Smith Jan. 24, Feb. 5
Director
Production
Conceptual Artist
Christopher Myers
Scenic Designer
Amy Rubin
Costume Designer
Charlese Antoinette
Lighting Designer
Pablo Santiago
Projection/Video Designer
Joshua Higgason
Choreographer Kiara Benn
Chorus Director Richard Bado
HGO Orchestra
HGO Chorus
PRODUCTION SUPPORTERS
Premier Guarantor
Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Inc.
Guarantors
Elizabeth and Richard Husseini
Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation
DON'T MISS DON'T MISS
FAMILY DAY PRESENTS THE MAGIC FLUTE
the magic flute
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
MAGIC, MISCHIEF, AND MOZART
With its unforgettable melodies, comic adventures, and themes of truth, love, and transformation, Mozart’s The Magic Flute has stood as one of opera’s most brilliant imaginative experiences for centuries. With this production, director/choreographer Renaud Doucet and designer André Barbe have delightfully reimagined the story for modern audiences, transferring the action to a whimsical 19th-century hotel, where a cigar-smoking Queen of the Night leads an underground suffragette movement and chef Sarastro’s kitchen staff guards culinary secrets like sacred Masonic rites. Expect black-and-white storybook sets, puppetry, and laugh-out-loud visual gags—all brought to life by Mozart’s luminous score, performed with virtuosity by the HGO Chorus and Orchestra and a powerhouse cast. Tenor Paul Appleby stars as sleepwalking hotel guest Tamino opposite soprano Janai Brugger as Pamina, with baritone Joshua Hopkins as Papageno, soprano Aigul Khismatullina in her HGO debut as the Queen of the Night, and bass Grigory Shkarupa as Sarastro. David Chan, artistic director of the Taipei Music Academy and Festival and principal conductor of the Apollo Orchestra, conducts in his company debut.
CAST & CREATIVES
Tamino
Pamina
Director and Choreographer
Renaud Doucet
Scenic and Costume
HGO Orchestra
HGO Chorus
PRODUCTION SUPPORTERS
Premier
Puppet
Original
Principal
Grand
Revival
Guarantor
der rosenkavalier
der rosenkavalier
RICHARD STRAUSS
RICHARD STRAUSS
LOVE’S LAST WALTZ
LOVE’S LAST WALTZ
Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier waltzes into HGO in a stylish production from director Bruno Ravella. The staging transports the 18th-century comedy of manners into the chic world of 1950s Vienna, where the glamorous Marschallin is having an affair with the young Count Octavian—until his heart is captured by Sophie, the innocent fiancée of the blundering Baron Ochs. What follows is a delicious mix of mistaken identities, romantic awakenings, and bittersweet partings, all set to Strauss’s lush, sparkling score, filled with swirling waltzes and opera’s most transcendent final trio. Sublime soprano Tamara Wilson makes her role debut as the Marschallin, with bass Matthew Rose reprising his acclaimed Ochs, and two rising stars in their company debuts, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as Octavian and soprano Soraya Mafi as Sophie. Conductor Henrik Nánási makes his HGO debut in this sumptuous staging of Strauss’s most beloved opera.
Der Rosenkavalier waltzes into HGO in a production director Bruno Ravella. The staging the 18th-century comedy of manners into the chic 1950s Vienna, where the glamorous Marschallin is an with the young Count Octavian—until his is by Sophie, the innocent fiancée of the Ochs. What follows is a delicious mix of romantic awakenings, and bittersweet set to Strauss’s lush, sparkling score, filled with and opera’s most transcendent final trio. Wilson makes her role debut as Marschallin, bass Matthew Rose reprising his and two rising stars in their company Samantha as Octavian Soraya as Sophie. Conductor Henrik HGO debut in this sumptuous
Produced
CAST & CREATIVES
Marschallin
Tamara Wilson
Baron
Octavian
Sophie
Scenic and Costume
Designer
Gary McCann
Lighting Designer
Malcolm Rippeth
Associate Costume
Designer
Camille Charara
Chorus Director
Richard Bado
HGO Orchestra
HGO Chorus
HGO Children’s Chorus
PRODUCTION SUPPORTERS
Premier Guarantor
Dian and Harlan Stai
Guarantor
Drs. Liz Grimm and Jack Roth
show boat
AN AMERICAN CLASSIC
A century ago, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s Show Boat changed American musical theater forever with its racially integrated cast and bold portrayal of injustice along the Mississippi. Set aboard the floating theater Cotton Blossom, the groundbreaking musical traces the intertwined lives of performers navigating decades of love, loss, and prejudice—backed by a sweeping score that is influenced by genres from spirituals to ragtime to jazz. In the 1980s, HGO made history of its own by restoring Show Boat to operatic scale—and now, the company is inviting audiences to again experience this treasured classic with an acclaimed production by Francesca Zambello, performed by a cast of superstars. Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard makes her role debut as Julie, with soprano Lauren Snouffer as Magnolia, baritone Edward Nelson as Gaylord, and bass Morris Robinson as Joe, whose haunting number, “Ol’ Man River,” captures the ceaseless roll of the Mighty Mississippi. Making his first return to HGO in his new role as music director emeritus, Maestro Patrick Summers conducts.
JEROME KERN & OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
CAST & CREATIVES
Associate
Chorus
Scenic
Costume
Lighting
PRODUCTION
Principal
Grand
OPERA'S
OPERA'S BRIGHTEST
THE YEAR AHEAD WILL BE FOREVER ETCHED IN OUR HISTORY
JOIN US AS SOME OF OPERA'S MOST INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED,
AILYN PÉREZ as Aida, Aida
MATTHEW POLENZANI as Faust, Faust
ANGEL BLUE as Susannah Polk, Susannah
BRIGHTEST
AS ONE OF HGO'S MOST STAR-STUDDED SEASONS.
AWARD-WINNING LUMINARIES TAKE THE WORTHAM STAGE.
JONATHAN TETELMAN as Radames, Aida
PRETTY YENDE as Marguerite, Faust
ISABEL LEONARD as Julie LaVerne, Show Boat
Headlinemore operaHeadlineopera
BUTLER STUDIO SHOWCASE
SEPTEMBER 13 AT 2:30 PM
Join us for HGO’s annual Butler Studio Showcase, the first major performance of the season, and meet the newest class of exceptional young artists training for careers in opera with the company’s prestigious Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio. Cheer on these rising stars as they perform a selection of scenes from across the repertoire during a spirited afternoon inside the intimate Cullen Theater.
CAROLS ON THE GREEN
DECEMBER 12 AT 7:00 PM
Celebrate the magic of the season at Discovery Green, where the air will be filled with the festive sounds of opera classics, holiday favorites, and joyful singalongs. Gather your loved ones, break out your brightest winter finery, and celebrate together under Houston’s twinkling skyline. This free outdoor concert is the perfect way to share holiday cheer with the whole community.
GIVING VOICE
FEBRUARY 19 AT 7:30 PM
Launched by internationally acclaimed tenor Lawrence Brownlee, Giving Voice is one of HGO’s most cherished traditions—an inspiring tribute to the artistry and legacy of Black artists in opera and song. For its eighth year, this powerful annual concert will be headlined by a special guest who is one of the leading artists in all of opera: the sublime soprano Angel Blue. Don’t miss this moving celebration!
CONCERT OF ARIAS
FEBRUARY 26 AT 7:00 PM
Be there as the next generation of opera stars steps into the spotlight at the 39th annual Eleanor McCollum Competition Concert of Arias. Accompanied by the HGO Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro James Gaffigan, gifted emerging singers from around the globe will take the Cullen stage for a night of artistry, passion, and high-stakes competition. Who will capture the judges’ votes—and the audience’s hearts—earning cash prizes, and perhaps an invitation to join the prestigious Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio? Experience the excitement during this beloved HGO tradition.
the magic flute
FEBRUARY 13, 2027 AT 1:00 PM
Bring the whole family to the Wortham to share in a theatrical adventure with Tamino, Pamina, Papageno, the Queen of the Night, and the rest of the crew during
HGO’s third annual Family Day for The Magic Flute. This delightfully whimsical, hilarious staging of Mozart’s beloved masterpiece, directed by celebrated soprano
Ana María Martínez in her directorial debut, will be presented in a 90-minute, sensory-friendly, bilingual English and Spanish version, complete with interactive activities in the lobby before the show and during intermission.
signature events
Each year, Houston’s arts community comes together for HGO’s most dazzling celebrations. These evenings brim with style, energy, and connection, bringing together fellow arts lovers to honor the city’s vibrant cultural spirit. Mark your calendar and join us for gatherings that blend world-class entertainment with festive camaraderie, all in support of HGO’s mission to share the transformative power of opera with Houston and beyond.
OPENING NIGHT DINNER: SUSANNAH
OCTOBER 23, 2026
CONCERT OF ARIAS DINNER
FEBRUARY 26, 2027
OPERA BALL APRIL 3, 2027
opera thrives because of you
Ticket sales cover less than 20% of the cost of producing a season at HGO. The rest is made possible by the generosity of supporters like you. When you donate to HGO, you help bring extraordinary opera to life—showcasing world-class talent on the Wortham stage and creating meaningful arts experiences for the entire community.
As a valued donor, you’ll enjoy special benefits designed to bring you closer to the art you love: valet parking, access to the Founders Salon and Masterson Green Room, behind-the-scenes tours, invitations to lecture series, exclusive VIP events,
SEASON SUPPORTERS
TING TSUNG AND WEI FONG CHAO FOUNDATION THE WORTHAM FOUNDATION CULLEN TRUST FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS THE PACKARD HUMANITIES INSTITUTE
GUARANTORS—$100,000 OR MORE
GRAND UNDERWRITERS—$50,000 OR MORE
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
* Contribution includes in-kind support† Ten or more consecutive years of giving
THANK YOU TO OUR INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS FOR MAKING OUR 2026-27 SEASON POSSIBLE.
YOUR SEAT
Subscribing to HGO is the best way to immerse yourself in the power of opera with the best seats in the house—and the best exclusive perks throughout the season.
FIRST, SELECT YOUR SERIES
Choose which dates you’d like to attend from the series options below.
SERIES A OPENING NIGHTS AND ONYP
SERIES B SUNDAY MATINEES SERIES C MOSTLY WEEKNIGHTS SERIES D SATURDAY NIGHTS SERIES E FRIDAY NIGHTS
Fri. Oct 23, 2026 7:00 PM Sun. Oct 25, 2026 2:00 PM Sun. Nov 8, 2026 2:00 PM
G WEEKEND PACKAGE
Oct 31, 2026 7:30 PM Fri. Nov 6, 2026 7:30 PM Sat. Oct 31, 2026 7:30 PM
FAUST Fri. Oct 30, 2026 7:30 PM Sun. Nov 1, 2026 2:00 PM Sun. Nov 15, 2026 2:00 PM Sat. Nov 7, 2026 7:30 PM Fri. Nov 13, 2026 7:30 PM Sun. Nov 1, 2026 2:00 PM
AIDA Fri. Jan 22, 2027 7:30 PM Sun. Jan 24, 2027 2:00 PM Wed. Jan 27, 2027 7:30 PM Sat. Jan 30, 2027 7:30 PM Fri. Feb 5, 2027 7:30 PM Sat. Jan 30, 2027 7:30 PM THE MAGIC FLUTE Fri. Jan 29, 2027 7:30 PM Sun. Jan 31, 2027 2:00 PM Thu. Feb 4, 2027 7:30 PM Sat. Feb 6, 2027 7:30 PM Fri. Feb 12, 2027 7:30 PM Sun. Jan 31, 2027 2:00 PM
DER ROSENKAVALIER Fri. Apr 23, 2027 6:00 PM Sun. April 25, 2027 2:00 PM Wed. May 5, 2027 6:00 PM Sat. May 1, 2027 6:00 PM Fri. May 7, 2027 6:00 PM Sat. May 1, 2027 6:00 PM SHOW BOAT Fri. Apr 30, 2027 7:30 PM Sun. May 2, 2027 2:00 PM Thu. May 6, 2027 7:30 PM Sat. May 8, 2027 7:30 PM Fri. May 14, 2027 7:30 PM Sun. May 2, 2027 2:00 PM
BROWN THEATER
THEN, SELECT YOUR SEATS
Choose a section of the theater and its associated pricing.
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Curate your own season with a flexible mini package of 3 (or more!) operas. Choose the productions you want to see, the seats you love, and the dates that work best for you—and save up to 25% over single-ticket buyers. Learn more at HGO.org/FLEX.
