Singer

Our 2023-2024 Season closes with Bizet’s lush and emotionally charged Carmen. Arguably the sexiest role in opera, Carmen (Virginie Verrez) is a beautiful, free-spirited woman all too aware of her allure, and yet, she despises any man who falls for her. When her mild flirtation with a soldier, Don José (Richard Trey Smagur), ignites his flaming desire, Carmen rejects him for the famous bullfighter, Escamillo (Seth Carico). José’s childhood sweetheart, Micaëla (Raquel González), visits on the pretext of persuading him to return home to his elderly mother, but she arrives just too late. José only has eyes for Carmen. His fate—and Carmen’s—has already been sealed.

Do not miss your chance to experience two of opera’s most iconic and instantly recognizable arias, “Habanera” and “Toreador’s March,” from the Long Center stage this May!

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Bizet’s Carmen

Long Center for the Performing Arts

Arguably the sexiest role in opera, Carmen is a beautiful, free-spirited woman all too aware of her carnal allure, and yet, she despises any man who falls for her. When her mild flirtation with a soldier, Don José, ignites his flaming desire, Carmen rejects him for the famous bullfighter, Escamillo. José’s childhood sweetheart, Micaëla, visits on the pretext of persuading him to return home to his elderly mother, but she arrives just too late. José only has eyes for Carmen. His fate—and Carmen’s—has already been sealed. As José’s love degenerates into morbid obsession, Carmen must soon face the consequences of her need for freedom.

Carmen

Puccini’s beloved Madame Butterfly, with its soaring score and unforgettable tragic story, returns to HGO in a revival of Tony Award-winning director Michael Grandage’s acclaimed production. The opera’s diverse cast will be led by internationally sought-after soprano Ailyn Pérez, who returns to Houston as Cio-Cio-San, the young Japanese girl who marries American naval lieutenant Pinkerton, performed by tenor Yongzhao Yu in his role debut. As the tale unfolds, Cio-Cio-San, abandoned by her husband, raises their son while faithfully waiting for him to return to Japan. When Pinkerton finally reappears, bringing with him a new wife and seeking to take his child back to America, heartbreaking tragedy ensues. The production’s revival, directed by Jordan Braun, stars mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as Suzuki, bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Sharpless, bass William Guanbo Su as the Bonze, and tenor Rodell Rosel as Goro. Maestro Patrick Summers conducts. 

Raquel González

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Events

2 - 5 May, 2024

Bizet’s Carmen · Long Center for the Performing Arts

2 - 5 May, 2024

Carmen · Austin Opera

Jan 26 - Feb 11, 2024

Madame Butterfly · Houston Grand Opera

Future and recently performed repertoire

Micaëla in Carmen by Bizet

Long Center for the Performing Arts

Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly by Puccini

Houston Grand Opera

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