Conductor

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. 

EPSG:4326

Madame Butterfly

Wortham Theater Center

Falstaff, Verdi’s enduringly popular final masterpiece, recounts the misdeeds of drunken, absurdly vain, formerly thin knight Sir John Falstaff, plucked straight from Shakespeare’s plays. He’s fallen on hard times and, while drinking at an inn, announces his plans to pay off his debts by wooing not one, but two wealthy, married women: Alice Ford and Meg Page. But after he dashes off identical letters to each, they quickly discover his scheme and vow revenge. And as Falstaff—along with the rest of the men in this joyously life-affirming comedy—soon learns, he’s deeply outmatched by the women. With quick scene changes and a large wooden set, this iconic production perfectly captures the feel of an Elizabethan play. The stellar cast features four beloved favorites: baritone Reginald Smith Jr. as Falstaff, soprano Nicole Heaston as Alice, baritone Blake Denson as her husband, Ford, and soprano Andrea Carroll as the young Nannetta. Paula Suozzi directs, with Maestro Patrick Summers as conductor.

Falstaff

Gil Shaham returns! His impeccable technique, radiant stage presence, and infectious joy in music-making have made him one of the foremost violinists in the world and a perennial Aspen favorite. Hear him in Korngold’s brilliantly orchestrated, richly romantic, and technically challenging Violin Concerto. With themes drawn from the composer’s film scores, the piece showcases the highest range of the instrument where it sings with a pure, ethereal voice.

Festival Orchestra: Gil Shaham, Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel

Aspen Meadows Resort

Tune in to a free livestream of this concert live from the Benedict Music Tent.

Livestream: Spano Leads Mahler's Third Symphony

In a list of works exemplifying the season theme of “The Adoration of Nature,” Mahler’s 3rd Symphony would be near the top. This gigantic and glorious six-movement hymn to Nature is the longest symphony in the standard repertoire. It’s also one of Mahler’s most optimistic, extroverted works. For Mahler, Nature wasn’t just the natural world; it was the entire world. Just as Nature overflows with astonishing colors and breathtaking beauty, Mahler’s universe of a symphony teems with brilliant orchestration and stunning melodies. It’s a 99-minute visceral and emotional rollercoaster with shifts of mood and surprising contrasts. The first movement, “Pan Awakens – Summer Marches In” bursts into life with a confident march. The second, “What the Flowers and Meadows Tell Me’’ is a charming minuet. Next comes the bustling scherzo, “What the Animals of the Forest Tell Me,” followed by the dark stillness of “What the Night Tells Me.” This movement features mezzo-soprano Kelly O’Connor, known for her “ravishingly velvet vocal tone” (San Francisco Chronicle). Night breaks into sunshine with “What the Morning Bells Tell Me,” opening with the angelic sound of a children’s chorus. The final movement, “What Love Tells Me” is a gorgeously grand slow movement expressing Mahler’s belief that “God can only be comprehended as Love.”

Festival Orchestra: Spano Leads Mahler's Third Symphony

Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS faculty coach the program's major emerging talents in opera scenes. Enjoy excerpts from the repertoire, ravishing voices, and insightful coaching.

Opera Encounters

Wheeler Opera House

Based on Ann Patchett’s award-winning novel, Jimmy López Bellido’s opera Bel Canto depicts how something truly beautiful can spring from chaos and terror. With a principal role loosely inspired by noted soprano Renée Fleming who championed the work, the opera tells the story of what happens when a gathering of international dignitaries at Peru’s vice-presidential mansion turns into a hostage situation. Music becomes the universal language of this riveting story of humanity and redemption, inspired by real-life events. The Chicago Sun-Times has called Bellido "one of the most interesting young composers anywhere today." 

Jimmy López Bellido's Bel Canto

Conductor Nicholas McGegan’s sparkling performances are always Festival highlights. This mostly-Bach program features Awadagin Pratt in both a Bach keyboard concerto and Jesse Montgomery’s Rounds for piano and string orchestra, which he commissioned. Pratt has been long acclaimed for his musical insights and dynamic style. One of the crown jewels of Bach’s sacred works, Magnificat, will be performed by a stellar chorus of singers from the Aspen Opera Theatre Vocal Arts program. This uplifting concert in the intimate setting of Harris Concert Hall is sure to delight and inspire you!

A Baroque Evening with Nicholas McGegan conductor

Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS faculty coach the program's major emerging talents in opera scenes. Enjoy excerpts from the repertoire, ravishing voices, and insightful coaching. This week's focus is on arias and scenes. 

Patrick Summers

Conductor

Events

Jan 26 - Feb 11, 2024

Madame Butterfly · Houston Grand Opera

Oct 27 - Nov 10, 2023

Falstaff · Houston Grand Opera

Aug 6, 2023

Festival Orchestra: Gil Shaham, Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel · Aspen Music Festival

Jul 30, 2023

Livestream: Spano Leads Mahler's Third Symphony · Aspen Music Festival

Jul 30, 2023

Festival Orchestra: Spano Leads Mahler's Third Symphony · Aspen Music Festival

About

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