Wagner’s Tannhäuser receives a highly anticipated new staging from internationally acclaimed director Francesca Zambello—and Houston audiences will be the first to experience her strikingly beautiful production. Lust and love, diametrically opposed forces in the opera’s universe, do battle within the title character’s psyche as the story unfolds. At curtain’s open, Tannhäuser has abandoned his life as a poet who sings of courtly love in favor of the carnal delights of the goddess Venus, spending a rapture-filled year on her magic mountain in the sky. Seeking something more, he renounces her, hoping to find redemption—and a union back home in Germany with his spiritual love Elisabeth. But his epic journey to salvation has been cursed.  

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Tannhäuser

Wortham Theater Center

A tale of resistance, courage, and joy: The Sound of Music, whose story begins in the hills of Austria on the eve of the Nazis’ annexation, resonates as much today as during the musical’s 1959 premiere. Acclaimed director Francesca Zambello incorporates songs from both the theatrical version and its famous cinematic adaptation into her new production, a vibrant staging of the beloved story of the von Trapp children, their stern father, and the novice-turned-governess Maria who changes their lives. The Wortham Theater is the perfect place to experience Rodgers and Hammerstein’s original vision for their timeless musical, propelled by the full power of the world-class HGO Orchestra and Chorus and a peerless cast including world-famous mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as Maria and baritone Alexander Birch Elliott as the Captain. HGO’s Richard Bado takes the podium to conduct this classic family-friendly production. 

The Sound Of Music

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. 

Madame Butterfly

Wagnerites from around the world will descend upon Houston when HGO presents Parsifal, the composer’s final opera, full of shimmeringly beautiful music and spiritual and philosophical exploration. The revered masterpiece takes audiences on a mystical journey through a realm where time has no meaning and a group of knights are trying to protect the Holy Grail and their wounded king, Amfortas. He can only be healed by an innocent fool—the titular protagonist—but first Parsifal must undertake a quest to reclaim the Holy Spear, enduring tests including an attempted seduction by a bevy of gorgeous women. The opera will be presented in a stunning, sensual, colorful production from Tony Award-winning director John Caird. HGO Principal Guest Conductor Eun Sun Kim leads a cast of extraordinary Wagnerians including tenor Russell Thomas as Parsifal, soprano Christine Goerke as Kundry, bass Kwangchul Youn as Gurnemanz, and bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as Amfortas.

Parsifal

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.

Houston Grand Opera Chorus

Apr 25 - May 11, 2025

Tannhäuser

Apr 26 - May 12, 2024

The Sound Of Music

Houston Grand Opera Chorus