OPERAVolume 56 Number 01 | Summer 2015 CUES

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PATRICK SUMMERS PERRYN LEECH Artistic & Music Director Managing Director MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS CHAIR Opera Cues is published by Houston Grand Opera Association; all rights reserved. Opera Cues is produced by Houston Grand Opera’s Communications Department, Judith Kurnick, director.

Director of Publications Laura Chandler

Art Direction / Production Pattima Singhalaka

Contributors Brittany Duncan Paul Hopper Perryn Leech Elizabeth Lyons Patrick Summers

For information on all Houston Grand Opera productions and events, or for a complimentary season brochure, please call the Customer Care Center at 713-228-OPERA (6737). Houston Grand Opera is a member of OPERA America, Inc., and the Theater District Association, Inc.

FIND HGO ONLINE: HGO.org facebook.com / houstongrandopera twitter.com / hougrandopera instagram.com/houstongrandopera

MOBILE: HGO.org KEEPING ELITE PERFORMERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRACTICING MEDICINE AND LEADING IT.

At Houston Methodist, we’re proud partners in helping artists achieve peak performance, week in and week out. We have decades of experience supporting the total health needs of performers from around the world — which is why the best artists rely on us not just to get them healthy, but to keep them that way. That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it. houstonmethodist.org CONTENTS

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

16 CHAIRS! 40 FRESH PRINCE 6 A message from 54 Spotlight We toast our intrepid Introducing Carlisle Patrick Summers and special event chairs. Floyd’s Prince of Perryn Leech 56 Special Events Players. AN HGOCO SEASON 18 Production Funders 62 Impresarios Circle World premieres, 44 UNSUNG HEROES 12 tours, and programs, HGO’s Richard Wong: News and Notes HGO Donors oh my! a long way from 14 69 China. 23 YOUR GUIDE TO THE 50 HGO Studio 78 Calendar 2015–16 SEASON 47 MEET AND GREET Find out what the Introducing the new 52 HGOco 80 Your HGO season has in store. HGO Studio director and seven new artists.

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The Amazon rainforest; image of spears from the “Out of the Amazon” exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science; a 1908 postcard depicting Long Reach, Buffalo Bayou in Houston. From left standing: Judy Bozeman, Donnie Roberts, Allen Lewis and Michael Ringger From left seated: Bill Cunningham, Maureen Phillips, Rick Morales and Tom Williams Generating Success for Generations of Texas Families

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he 2015–16 season is just around the corner! You have in your hands right now a guide to all Tthat lies in store, and we hope it will help you get the most out of your opera experience. In true HGO style, we’ve programmed operatic favorites (Puccini’s Tosca, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro) along with some rarely seen gems that need just the right casting (Dvořák’s Rusalka, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin). We continue our Holiday Opera series with Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright’s The Little Prince, an HGO commission that has delighted families all over the United States and internationally, and we present Prince of Players, a world premiere from legendary composer Carlisle Floyd, with whom HGO has enjoyed a decades-long company relationship that, to our knowledge, is unparalleled. We end the season with Siegfried, the third installment of Wagner’s Ring cycle in the riveting La Fura dels Baus production, paired with the Patrick Summers great Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel, which continues our exploration of classic American music theater. Find out about each of these operas in our guide to the 2015–16 season, beginning on p. 23. But even before the season opens on October 23, we have some great “pre-season” events we hope you won’t want to miss. First, we’d love to see you at Studio Showcase on September 10 or 12. It’s a great opportunity to hear all of the artists of our acclaimed training program, the HGO Studio, as they present fully staged scenes from various operas—including the main-stage opera The Marriage of Figaro. Tickets are free to season subscribers and available for purchase to non-subscribers. On September 23 and 24, we present the world premiere of Gregory Spears and Royce Vavrek’s Perryn Leech O Columbia at the Revention (formerly Bayou) Music Center just across Texas Avenue from the Wortham Theater Center. This opera about exploration—the innate human desire to go where no one has gone before—is part of HGOco’s award-winning Song of Houston series, inspired by the real-life stories of Houstonians. NASA astronauts, scientists, and engineers collaborated with the creators to bring O Columbia to fruition, and it truly is a must-see. As we embark upon the new season, we feel a little bit like explorers ourselves. We look forward to a year of discovery and delight, and we are glad you’re joining us for the journey.

Patrick Summers Perryn Leech Artistic and Music Director Managing Director Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

For subscription or single ticket information, please contact Customer Care at 713-228-OPERA (6737) or visit HGO.org.

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John Mendelsohn, M.D., Martha Carnes Alfred W. Lasher III Mark R. Spradling, General Counsel and Secretary; Chairman of the Board Janet Langford Carrig, Perryn Leech Audit Committee Vice Chair Lynn Wyatt, Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Richard A. Lydecker Jr., Harlan C. Stai Vice Chairman of the Board Inc., Chairman Finance Committee Vice Chair Patrick Summers Beth Madison, Zane Carruth Frances Marzio, Senior Chairman of the Board Anna Catalano Studio and Training Committee Ignacio Torras Chair Glen A. Rosenbaum, Albert Chao John G. Turner, Chairman Emeritus Brucie Moore Studio and Training Committee Donna P. Josey Chapman Vice Chair Members at Large Sara Morgan N. A. (Neil) Chapman, Margaret Alkek Williams Richard E. Agee Finance Committee Chair Terrylin G. Neale, Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Frederica von Stade, Robin Angly, Mrs. Bobbie-Vee Cooney Development Committee Vice Chair Inc., Senior Chairman Honorary Director Albert O. Cornelison Jr. * John S. Arnoldy, Franci Neely Samuel Ramey, James W. Crownover Honorary Director Governance Committee Chair Ward Pennebaker, Marcia Backus Dan Domeracki Marketing and Communications * Senior Board Committee Chair Philip A. Bahr David B. Duthu Cynthia Petrello, Michelle Beale Larry Faulkner, Development Committee Chair HGOco Committee Chair Astley Blair, Gloria M. Portela Audit Committee Chair Dr. Ellen R. Gritz, Studio and Training Committee David Powell, Pat Breen Vice Chair Finance Committee Vice Chair Mrs. Robert J. Bruni, Robert C. Hunter * Jack A. Roth, M.D. Special Events Committee Chair

Houston Grand Opera Association Chairs

1955 – 58 1973 – 74 1987 – 89 2004 – 07 Elva Lobit Gray C. Wakefield John M. Seidl John S. Arnoldy 1958 – 60 1974 – 75 1989 – 91 2007 – 09 Stanley W. Shipnes Charles T. Bauer James L. Ketelsen Robert L. Cavnar 1960 – 62 1975 – 77 1991 – 93 2009 William W. Bland Maurice J. Aresty Constantine S. Nicandros Gloria M. Portela 1962 – 64 1977 – 79 1993 – 95 2009 – 2011 Thomas D. Anderson Searcy Bracewell J. Landis Martin Glen A. Rosenbaum 1964 – 66 1979 – 81 1995 – 97 2011 – 2013 Marshall F. Wells Robert Cizik Robert C. McNair Beth Madison 1966 – 68 1981 – 83 1997 – 99 2013 – present John H. Heinzerling Terrylin G. Neale Dennis R. Carlyle, M.D. John Mendelsohn Susan H. Carlyle, M.D. 1968 – 70 1983 – 84 Lloyd P. Fadrique Barry Munitz 1999 – 2001 Archie W. Dunham 1970 – 71 1984 – 85 Ben F. Love Jenard M. Gross 2001 – 03 Harry C. Pinson 1971 – 73 1985 – 87 Joe H. Foy Dr. Thomas D. Barrow 2003 – 04 James T. Hackett

SUMMER 2015 8 HGO.org Trustees

Samuel Abraham Danny David Joan B. Johnson Marion Roose Pullin ‡ Mrs. Anthony G. Aiuvalasit ‡ Joshua Davidson Carey Jordan T. Ray Purser Thomas Ajamie Darrin Davis Marianne Kah Gary Reese Edward H. Andrews III Sasha Davis Stephen M. Kaufman Todd Reppert Hon. Mary E. Bacon June Deadrick John Keville Jill Risley Denise Bush Bahr Tracy Dieterich Yolanda Knull Jean B. Rowley ‡ C. Mark Baker Gislar R. Donnenberg Claudia Kreisle Thomas Rushing Dr. Saúl Balagura Timothy Donovan Carolyn Piro Landen Jill A. Schaar Jonathan Baliff David Dorenfeld Michele LaNoue Andrew C. Schirrmeister III Dr. Barbara Lee Bass Connie Dyer Jerry Lasco Nan Schissler ‡ Martin D. Beirne Brad Eastman The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee Helen Shaffer Katherine Berry Warren A. Ellsworth IV, M.D. Marcheta Leighton-Beasley Jennifer Sickler Linda Bertman Mark Evans Mike Lemanski Denmon Sigler Dr. Joan Hacken Bitar Richard E. Evans David LePori Hinda Simon Dr. Michael Bloome Dr. Mauro Ferrari Carolyn J. Levy Janet Sims Adrienne Bond Carol Sue Finkelstein ‡ Jose Alberto Lima Kristina Hornberger Somerville Nana Booker Richard Flowers Claire Liu C. Richard Stasney, M.D. Margaret Anne Boulware Jackie Ford Lisa Long Rhonda Sweeney Walter Bratic Patricia B. Freeman Heide Loos Ann Thompson Stephen R. Brenner Scott Gaille Gabriel Loperena Becca Cason Thrash Dr. Janet M. Bruner Mrs. Geraldine C. Gill Dr. Jo Wilkinson Lyday Dr. John F. Thrash Melinda Brunger Lori B. Glawe Andrea Maher Betty Tutor Ralph Burch Sandra S. Godfrey Michael Malbin Sheila Tweed Kiana Caleb John S. Griffin Michele Malloy Birgitt van Wijk Gwyneth Campbell William Griffin Ginger Maughs Charles Vethan Mrs. Marjorie H. Capshaw Lynn Guggolz R. Davis Maxey Alfredo Vilas Sylvia J. Carroll ‡ Claudio Gutierrez Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan ‡ Bob Wakefield Thierry Caruso Larry Hanson Robert C. McNair Michael A. Weill Joseph Carvelli A. John Harper III Ginger C. Menown Austin A. Werner Hon. Theresa Chang Brenda Harvey-Traylor Miss Catherine Jane Merchant ‡ Beth Williams Alain Chepda Nancy Haywood Jerry Metcalf Kristine Williams Mathilda Cochran Michael Heckman Mark Metts Margarida Williamson Estela Cockrell Karl Hennessee Christopher B. Miller Elsa Wolf ‡ William E. Colburn Robert C. Hewell ‡ Alexandra Mitch Dr. L. Fabian Worthing III Christa M. Cooper Jackson D. Hicks Frank Neukomm R. Alan York Christian Corts Todd Hoffman Charlene Nickson David P. Young Efrain Z. Corzo Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth Beverly Ogilvie ‡ Life Trustee Catherine Crath Eileen Hricik ‡ John B. Onstott Mary D’Andrea Lee M. Huber Maria Papadopolous Mary Davenport Richard Husseini Girija Patel

9 Founders Council for Artistic Excellence Established 2006

Houston Grand Opera is deeply appreciative of its Founders Council donors. Their extraordinary support over a three-year period helps secure the future while ensuring the highest standard of artistic excellence. For information, please contact Greg Robertson, Chief Advancement Officer, at 713-546-0274. Margaret Alkek Williams Mr. and Mrs. Richard Agee Baker Botts LLP The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bahr Michelle Beale and Dick Anderson  Mr. and Mrs. David B. Duthu Bracewell & Giuliani LLP Mr. John G. Turner and Andrew and Brucie Moore Bristow Group, Inc. Mr. Jerry G. Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Petrello Mathilda and Michael Cochran Beth Madison  Amanda and Morris Gelb The Robert and Janice McNair Mr. and Mrs. J. Scott Arnoldy Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Foundation ConocoPhillips Mr. Milton D. Rosenau Jr. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James W. Crownover Mr. and Mrs. Richard Husseini Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Terrell Alfred W. Lasher III Tone Owen Memorial Endowed Donor Dr. Jack A. Roth and Advised Fund at the Community Dr. Elizabeth Grimm M. David Lowe and Nana Booker/ Foundation of Abilene Halliburton Booker • Lowe Gallery  Donna Kaplan and Richard A. Lydecker Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn Robin Angly and Miles Smith Mr. and Mrs. J. Landis Martin Ms. Gloria M. Portela and Mr. Richard E. Evans Albert and Anne Chao/Ting Tsung and Frances Marzio Jill and Allyn Risley Wei Fong Chao Foundation John P. McGovern Foundation Rhonda and Donald Sweeney Medistar Corporation Nabors Industries Ignacio and Isabel Torras Schlumberger PwC  Glen A. Rosenbaum Janice Barrow Vinson & Elkins LLP Houston Methodist Lynn Wyatt   The Leadership Council

The Leadership Council is a program designed to provide fiscal stability to Houston Grand Opera’s Annual Fund through three-year commitments, with a minimum of $10,000 pledged annually. We gratefully acknowledge these members.

Dr. Saúl and Ursula Balagura Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Davidson Ann and Stephen Kaufman Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Barnes Ms. Anna M. Dean Ms. Michele LaNoue and Mr. Gerald Seidl Marcheta Leighton-Beasley Gislar and Victoria Donnenberg Caroline and Perryn Leech Alex and Astley Blair Ms. Patricia B. Freeman and Terrylin G. Neale Dr. Michael and Susan Bloome Mr. Bruce Patterson Elizabeth Phillips Nancy and Walt Bratic Monica and Colin Fulton Mrs. Helen A. Shaffer Melinda and Bill Brunger S. Scott and Gina Gaille John C. and Sheila R. Tweed Marjorie H. Capshaw Mrs. William H. Guggolz Jr. Ms. Birgitt van Wijk Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Carnes Ms. Brenda Harvey-Traylor Mr. Georgios Varsamis Ms. Janet Langford Carrig Dr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Haywood Mr. Joseph Waiter and Ms. Irene Bourke Dr. Peter Chang and Hon. Theresa Chang Mr. and Mrs. George M. Hricik Mr. William V. Walker Mr. William E. Colburn Robert and Kitty Hunter Mr. and Mrs. David S. Wolff

SUMMER 2015 10 HGO.org SM

IAH

© 2014 United Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Inc. Airlines, © 2014 United Proud to be the Official Airline of Houston Grand Opera.

Job Number 4UA022 Headline IAH-friendly Publication HGO 2014 English Event Language 8.375 x 10.875 Vertical/Portrait [email protected] Client United Trim Horizontal/Landscape Art Director DC Bleed 8.625 x 11.125 16858 Royal Crest CMYK RGB B&W SPOT (PMS) Houston Texas 77058 Copywriter UA Safety/Live 7.875 x 10.275 281-480-3660 Traffic BG Ad Style SMILE Full page bleed 1/23/2014 Photo by Lynn Lane Photo by Lynn

Octavio Moreno and members of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán in El Pasado Nunca Se Termina at HGO last May; Ana María Martínez as Rusalka.

THE PRODUCTION FUNDERS: Photo by Bill Cooper THE HEART OF HGO

Judy and Richard Agee Donna Kaplan and Richard A. Lydecker Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Beth Madison Robin Angly and Miles Smith Sharon and Lanny Martin Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bahr Will L. McLendon Janice Barrow Medistar Corporation BBVA Compass The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Breen Miss Catherine Jane Merchant The Brown Foundation, Inc. Andrew and Brucie Moore Carol Franc Buck Foundation Sara and Bill Morgan Anne and Albert Chao National Endowment for the Humanities ConocoPhillips Mr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Petrello Bobbie-Vee and Jerry Cooney Schlumberger The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Dian and Harlan Stai Excellence on stage: Houston Grand Opera is Fayez Sarofim & Co. Mr. John G. Turner and Mr. Jerry G. Fischer internationally acclaimed for it. Ensuring the Halliburton Vinson & Elkins LLP exceptional quality of our productions and Houston First Corporation Margaret Alkek Williams Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Inc. The Wortham Foundation, Inc. the creativity of our artistic forces — singers, Houston Methodist Lynn Wyatt conductors, directors, designers — is our The Humphreys Foundation highest priority. The art we make on stage is the foundation for everything we do.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT JOINING THE PRODUCTION FUNDERS, PLEASE CONTACT GREG ROBERTSON AT 713-546-0274.

SUMMER 2015 12 HGO.org

NEWS & NOTES BARTON WINS the opera world. Notifying Michael Sumuel and “HEISMAN TROPHY” her of the award was baritone Reginald Smith Barry Tucker, president Jr.—received career HGO Studio alumna Jamie of the Richard Tucker grants, and current Studio Barton was in Houston Music Foundation, who soprano D’Ana Lombard last April to sing Fricka has described her as won a study grant. in Die Walküre when she having a “once-in-a- learned she had won the The HGO family generation voice.” prestigious Richard Tucker salutes all of them! Award, often referred to Additionally, two Studio as the Heisman Trophy of alumni—bass-baritone

IN MEMORIAM recharged for the passionate sentiments serve as powerful KATHLEEN MOORE outpourings he demanded reminders to the stewards of On July 10, the world lost EARNS INTERNATIONAL of himself on stage. this greatest of art forms: one of its most febrile and VOLUNTEERISM AWARD riveting performers, Canadian His expressive range was As a singer, you’re not tenor Jon Vickers, whose extraordinary: his voice could there to demonstrate your extraordinary Peter Grimes travel from rafter-shaking voice. You’re a servant, first was one of the most indelible stentorian to dulcet sweetness of the composer, and like portrayals in the history of the in a single phrase. He probed the composer, of the poet, art. Houston was fortunate the depths of great music with of the public. You’re there to experience him in his unique intelligence; finding to give, not to show off. most iconic role in 1977 and the truth of the art was of Don’t be a slave of the again in 1984. He made his highest importance to him. notes. Let them go. Allow company debut in 1964 as He was wary of the trappings your fears, your hopes Gustav III in A Masked Ball; of fame and thought personal to show. That’s what HGO Guild member HGO audiences also saw publicity to be a dangerous moves people. Never, Kathleen Moore joined him as Otello in 1979 and as distraction from the art he felt ever, sacrifice line. The an elite group of honorees Canio in Pagliacci in 1982. privileged to serve. Nothing audience won’t know when she was recognized that could be said about Will McLendon, an HGO why, but if the line falters, with the coveted Partners Vickers could compare with subscriber since the inaugural you’ll lose them. Keep the in Excellence Award from his own words, speaking at season in 1955–56, recalls, line, and you’ll keep them Opera Volunteers International a master class at Mannes “When Jon Vickers returned with you…Surrender. (OVI) on May 8. The award College of Music. These for his second Peter Grimes —Patrick Summers was presented to her at the here, my tastes had matured OVI awards dinner as part enough for me to recognize of the organization’s annual the subtlety and dramatic John Vickers (with David Folwell) conference, held jointly intensity he brought to in Peter Grimes, 1977 with the Opera America this role for which he was Conference in Washington, justifiably world-famous. We D.C. Only four such awards are much indebted to Jon were bestowed this year Vickers as one of the great throughout North America. stars who helped shape Kathleen has been Houston Grand Opera’s volunteering with the HGO standards of excellence.” Guild since the 1990s, holding Vickers sang a vast repertoire multiple board positions in addition to the roles he sang and chairing numerous at HGO: from Wagner’s Tristan fund-raising events. She is and Siegmund to Saint- particularly active with the Saens’s and Handel’s Samson; HGO Studio, the company’s from Don José in Carmen renowned training program to Jason in Cherubini’s for young artists. The Guild Medea. He balanced his honored her with its Award career with a home life on of Distinction in 2002 and the his Canadian farm that kept Volunteer of the Year Award him connected to nature and in 2004.

SUMMER 2015 14 HGO.org Sandra Bernhard

on with an infectious smile, trusting you or something unique in nature. Even would eventually get there. in the physical challenges of her final For all of the many wonderful things weeks she drew comfort from birdsong; that will be remembered about her, one from the quivering energy of a little thing is sure: if she could have lived one dog in the hospice; from short visits more healthy day, even one more hour, with friends; from the presence of her she would have done so with gusto, and dear partner, Lisa, her parents, and she would have spent that time working her brother; and by making plans she on an HGOco project. Working, to knew she would not live to oversee. Sandy, was synonymous with teaching, Her indelible spirit and energy Lisa and Sandy and she had a truly extraordinary gift will always hover over the memories of ouston Grand Opera mourns for empowering others to learn. She everyone who knew her, and anyone who the loss of our dear colleague profoundly believed that teaching was the heard her memorably sonorous laugh can and friend, Sandra Bernhard, greatest force in facing down prejudice, undoubtedly hear it still. Sandy leaves one Hfounding director of HGOco. She hatred, bigotry, and ignorance, and she of the noblest of legacies: her life made the had been with HGO since 2007. was effortless at it. world a gentler place, and she opened the Sandy had rare ease with some For Sandy, everyone had a valid doors of education and self-expression for of life’s most complex emotions: love, story, and opera, with its focus on words thousands who never met her. There was compassion, empathy, gratitude, fairness, and music, was for her the supreme always a quality to Sandy that spoke of a and living with joy in every moment. It storytelling medium, something to be higher purpose, something selfless, large, was mundane tasks like organizing and both cherished and challenged to burst and important. She translated her inner planning that she found challenging, its boundaries. She didn’t understand peace into a radiating joy. largely because she found them defensiveness in anyone, and she could —Patrick Summers distractions. She lived with a formidable disarm it with grace and humor. She Please join us in a celebration of energy and passion, and if you couldn’t had a rare gift for pointing out what Sandy’s life on Sept. 28, 4:30 p.m., at or wouldn’t keep up, she simply pressed was in plain sight but which others had missed, whether it was an emotion Miller Outdoor Theatre.

15 CHEERS TO THE CHAIRS!

Photo by Wilson Parish

BY ELIZABETH LYONS n April 11, 2015, the HGO Board member Robin Our three major DEVELOPMENT lobby of the Wortham Angly and Miles Smith, was fundraising events, Opening COMMUNICATIONS Theater Center was an unforgettable celebration of Night Dinner, Concert of MANAGER Ofilled with the sharp sound HGO and our generous city of Arias, and Opera Ball, are of palmas—the handclapping supporters and arts lovers. meticulously planned at least a central to flamenco music. In addition to being year in advance by HGO’s four Dancers took center stage the best party in town, the full-time Special Events staff as dresses whirled with each Opera Ball regularly nets over members, who take the lead movement. Thousands of $1 million to support the from our event chairs. Event fragrant roses decorated company. But how does HGO chairs are HGO supporters each table and if you looked keep outdoing itself with each whose leadership, passion, closely, you would have seen special event, year after year? and hard work translate to more than one guest wearing The answer is our unforgettable fundraisers. a lace mantilla. España, the fabulous event chairs! From garnering support and 2015 Opera Ball, chaired by spreading the word to friends,

SUMMER 2015 16 HGO.org CHEERS TO THE CHAIRS! Photo by Wilson Parish Photo by Wilson Parish Photo by Gittings

to selecting the menu and final round of the Eleanor About chairing her décor, HGO’s event chairs McCollum Competition for first event at HGO, Donna work tirelessly year-round to Young Singers, is no stranger shares, “I am honored to be create spectacular occasions to heading up fabulous events the chairman of the Houston that raise the profile of our at HGO. HGO Board member Grand Opera Ball 2016. HGO company and consistently Cynthia Petrello, a former is recognized worldwide for shatter fundraising goals. Opera Ball chair, will lead the its creative innovation and HGO’s 2015–16 season charge for HGO’s Concert of its recognition and training kicks off on October 23, Arias on February 4, 2016, of young singers. Our opera 2015, with the Opening along with her husband, company is a great asset to our Night Dinner gala, a major Tony. “Putting together a city, because of what it brings fundraiser that celebrates the successful event is a very not only to the education of beginning of the season and gratifying experience because our children and the greater serves as a cast party for the the proceeds support all of the Houston community, but also opening night production, great work HGO does, both to our reputation as a cultural Tosca. Longtime HGO on the main stage and in our leader, attracting business and Opposite page: A bird’s- eye view of the décor for supporters Ward and Susan community,” said Cynthia. professionals from around Opera Ball 2015: España. Pennebaker are our Opening HGO Board member the world to our great city.” This page from left: Susan Night Dinner chairs; Ward is Donna Josey Chapman and Last season, HGO’s and Ward Pennebaker, a member of the HGO Board her husband, Max, will chair events raised a spectacular chairs of the 2015–16 of Directors. “Opening Night their first event at HGO on $2.6 million in support of Opening Night Dinner; Cynthia and Tony is truly a special event—it’s so April 9, 2016, when they take the company. We toast our Petrello, Concert of Arias meaningful for us to chair this the helm of the largest of fearless chairs, who, year after chairs, at the 2012 Opera Ball, which they chaired; event, as we celebrate with our HGO’s annual fundraisers, the year, volunteer their time, Donna Josey Chapman, HGO family the beginning Opera Ball. Donna has been resources, and energy to chair of Opera Ball 2015. of another phenomenal busy this summer planning making sure HGO’s events are season at the Wortham,” the everything from the guest successful in every way. Pennebakers said. list to the theme, which will The chair for our annual celebrate HGO’s beautiful new Concert of Arias, the exciting spring production of Carousel.

17 HEADLINE HGOco SEASON

Houston Grand Opera’s members. These unique O COLUMBIA celebrated community new works—created by connection and education some of the most exciting initiative, HGOco, breaks voices in opera today— new ground in the were commissioned 2015–16 season by by HGOco to showcase presenting four world different aspects of premieres in addition to Houston, past and present, its beloved programs and and to invite young and activities for students, new audiences into the educators, and community world of opera. BY BRITTANY DUNCAN HGOCO PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

ach new commission is developed award-winning Song of Houston series, Avenue from the Wortham—for two over the course of months (and inspired by the real-life stories of people performances on September 23 and often years), and informed by in Houston-area communities. 24. Members of the creative team will Epainstaking research, interviews, and We kick off the season in September mingle with audience members at the workshops focused on both music and with the world premiere of O Columbia, bar before the opera, and will offer a text to ensure that the final piece is the a new chamber opera by the exciting glimpse into the creative process at best representation of its creators’ vision. young composer-librettist team of talk-backs following each performance. This commitment to extending the Gregory Spears and Royce Vavrek. In May 2016, HGOco rounds out its boundaries of opera and fostering the Developed through interviews with season with the world premiere of The development of emerging talents in all astronauts, scientists, and engineers Root of the Wind Is Water, a chamber aspects of the creative process is a natural at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, this opera by composer David Hanlon and outgrowth of HGO’s emphasis on new luminous work celebrates the wonder librettist Stephanie Fleischmann. Hanlon, works and young artists. In fact, in some of exploration and the human need to a former HGO Studio artist, moved to cases members of the HGO Studio take go beyond the known. O Columbia will Houston just before Hurricane Ike hit in principal roles in HGOco productions, feature three HGO Studio artists in the 2008, and the memory of that experience affording them the opportunity to learn principal roles, supported by a dynamic served as the impetus for this new about contemporary opera and the ensemble of eight Houston-based work, which centers on a Galvestonian process of collaborating with a living singers. Director Kevin Newbury will who refuses to leave her home during composer and librettist. create a venue-specific installation-style an impending storm. Hanlon and HGOco’s season is bookended by production at the Revention (formerly Fleischmann spent hours interviewing two new operas that are part of the Bayou) Music Center—just across Texas residents of Houston and Galveston

SUMMER 2015 18 HGO.org FOUR NEW WORKS

law firm. (Peter Gray, the young lawyer who represented Emeline, went on to found Baker Botts.) Baker Botts partner and longtime HGO supporter Richard Husseini facilitated the firm’s involvement in the project, which includes a generous $25,000 contribution to underwrite the commission. The creators of this work spent a fascinating day with Judge Davidson, Kroger, and the original court records at the Houston courthouse and Opera to Go! will take The Velveteen Rabbit are hard at work putting together a (above) and The Puffed-Up Prima Donna on tour short-format chamber opera that will to schools and community centers this season. bring Emeline’s story to middle and Opposite: David Hanlon and Stephanie Fleischmann high schools, with the goal of sparking a discuss the concept of their opera, The Root of the Wind Is Water. conversation about courage, justice, and perseverance rooted in Houston history. We hope you’ll join us for these world premieres this season and engage with and delving into historical records in This spring, HGOco is proud to HGOco through our other programs order to understand the impact—both premiere The Emeline Project (working and activities for students, teachers, psychological and physical—of these title), a new chamber opera created by families, and community members. From natural disasters on the region, beginning Houston-based composer performances just for students at the with the Great Storm of 1900 and moving John Cornelius II and librettist Janine Wortham Theater Center, to professional into the present. This evocative new opera Joseph. This unique project will development programs for educators, will be directed by Matthew Ozawa, illuminate the story of Emeline, an free public performances for audiences of who most recently directed HGO’s A African-American woman in 1840s all ages, and performance opportunities Little Night Music, and will feature HGO Houston who sued the man who claimed through programs like High School Voice Studio artists alongside other talented to own her and her children—and Studio and opera camps, there is truly local artists. Performances will take won, thus securing their freedom. This something for everyone. We look forward place in both Houston and Galveston. fascinating true story was unearthed in to sharing the 2015–16 season with you! Opera to Go!, HGOco’s longest- the records of the Harris County District running and farthest-reaching program, Clerk’s office by State District Judge Mark has a busy season planned. This touring Davidson, and further researched by To learn more about HGOco’s programs, group brings high-energy 45-minute Bill Kroger, a partner of the Baker Botts please visit HGO.org/hgoco. opera performances to over 50,000 students and families each year. A new Opera to Go! work—Mark Buller OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and Charles Anthony Silvestri’s The Puffed-Up Prima Donna—will premiere O COLUMBIA THE PUFFED-UP PRIMA DONNA in January 2016 and will tour schools and Sept. 23 & 24 Jan. 28–30, 2016 community centers throughout the spring. 8 p.m. 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. daily. This work was commissioned by HGOco after last spring’s success of Buller and Revention (formerly Bayou) Music Center Heinen Theatre at Houston Community 520 Texas Ave. College central campus. Silvestri’s The Pastry Prince (An Italian Tickets $20 including fees Free. Folk Tale). The Puffed-Up Prima Donna HGO.org/Columbia uses the same hilarious cast of characters (a troupe of Italian opera performers) to explore the subject of bullying through THE VELVETEEN RABBIT THE ROOT OF THE WIND IS a story about collaboration and artistic Sept. 23–25 WATER (working title) differences. Opera to Go! has also 11 a.m. daily. May 2016, Houston and Galveston scheduled a fall tour (September through Miller Outdoor Theatre Watch Opera Cues and HGO.org for more December): a revival of The Velveteen Free. Rabbit, based on the beloved children’s information. story, with music by Mary Carol Warwick and libretto by Kate Pogue.

19 HOUSTON 2014 –2017

DAS RHEINGOLD SIEGFRIED APRIL 11–26, 2014 APRIL 16–MAY 1, 2016

DIE WALKÜRE GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG APRIL 18–MAY 3, 2015 APRIL 22–MAY 7, 2017

SUMMER 2015 20 HGO.org FEATURES

RING LEADERS

PREMIER GUARANTORS GRAND UNDERWRITERS Mr. John G. Turner and Mr. Jerry G. Fischer The Brown Foundation Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Inc. Houston First Corporation Medistar Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Richard Husseini Muffy and Mike McLanahan GRAND GUARANTORS The Vaughn Foundation Robin Angly and Miles Smith William V. Walker Mrs. Janice Barrow BBVA Compass UNDERWRITERS Carol Franc Buck Foundation William E. Colburn Dr. Jack A. Roth and Dr. Elizabeth Grimm Frances Marzio Norton Rose Fulbright GUARANTORS Chuck and Michelle Ritter Chevron The Stedman West Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Michael Cochran Nancy and Sid Williams Houston Saengerbund Donna Kaplan and Richard A. Lydecker Beth Madison Sharon and J. Landis Martin Will L. McLendon Dr. and Mrs. John Mendelsohn Miss Catherine Jane Merchant Elizabeth Phillips Donald and Rhonda Sweeney John and Sheila Tweed Birgitt van Wijk

For information on providing leadership support for the Ring, please contact Greg Robertson at 713-546-0274.

21 HGO Special Events 2015–16

Opening Night Dinner Celebration Friday, October 23, 2015 Honoring: Roy H. Cullen (posthumously) SUSAN & WARD PENNEBAKER CHAIRS Chairs: Susan and Ward Pennebaker 7 p.m. – Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca Post-performance Celebration Dinner HOUSTON GRAND OPERA 2016 OPENING NIGHT on Ray C. Fish Plaza Wortham Theater Center

Attire: Black Tie

Concert of Arias Thursday, February 4, 2016 Honoring: Pat and Daniel Breen Chairs: Cynthia and Anthony Petrello

6 p.m. – Champagne Reception 7 p.m. – Vocal Competition Post-performance Celebration Dinner in the Grand Foyer Wortham Theater Center

Attire: Black Tie

2016 Opera Ball Saturday, April 9, 2016 Chairs: Donna Josey Chapman and Max Chapman Seven o’clock in the evening Wortham Theater Center

Attire: White Tie

HGO.ORG/SPECIALEVENTS Scott Ipsen • 713-546-0242 • [email protected] > Photo by Alastair Muir

JUST THE FACTS GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF OUR 2015–16 REPERTOIRE WITH HGO DRAMATURG PAUL HOPPER. PUCCINI TOSCA

Photo by Felix Sanchez

Brown Theater OCT. OCT. OCT. NOV. NOV. NOV. Sung in Italian with 23 25 31 3 6 14 projected English 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. ◊ translation

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Floria Tosca Liudmyla Monastyrska Conductor Patrick Summers Kelly Kaduce ◊ Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Mario Cavaradossi Alexey Dolgov Bradley Moore ◊ Chad Shelton ‡◊ Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Alkek Chair Baron Scarpia Andrzej Dobber * Director John Caird Weston Hurt *◊ Lynn Wyatt Great Artist 2012–13 Set/Costume Designer Bunny Christie Lighting Designer Duane Schuler Chorus Master Richard Bado ‡ The Sarah and Ernest Butler Chorus Master Chair Children’s Chorus Director Karen Reeves Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and Children’s Chorus

* Houston Grand Opera debut ◊ Alternate cast ‡ Former Houston Grand Opera Studio artist

Guarantor: Margaret Alkek Williams A co-production of Houston Grand Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago Grand Underwriter: ConocoPhillips

SUMMER 2015 24 HGO.org igh-voltage emotions lead to operatic stage. Franchetti relinquished the police chief, Baron Scarpia, charges in an even higher body count in rights to the play and Puccini deviously and demands a search of the chapel, HPuccini’s gripping lyric drama snatched them up the following day. Cavaradossi and Angelotti flee as Tosca. Since it premiered in 1900, Tosca Scarpia watches his plans to seduce The 1900 premiere in Rome was a has riveted audiences with its fervent tale Tosca and destroy Cavaradossi fall into success, for the most part. Cavaradossi’s of forbidden love, political persecution, place. Tosca takes matters into her own Act III aria “E lucevan le stelle” was and violent devotion. Tosca is a star hands, manipulating Scarpia to ensure encored and the composer took six vehicle for an outstanding soprano, Cavaradossi’s freedom before making curtain calls. Some audience members and HGO welcomes back Liudmyla a sharply impulsive decision with an and critics were scandalized by the Monastyrska for that very reason. Tosca even sharper knife. Plans are made for a opera’s unsparing political love triangle, was one of three works that Houston mock execution and a stealthy escape, and the opera has since been called Grand Opera presented in its second but when Cavaradossi is killed by firing a “shabby little shocker.” With Tosca, season (1956–57) and it continues to squad, Tosca realizes she has been Puccini ventured into verismo, a style leave audiences breathless until the final caught in her own trap. With Scarpia’s featuring realistic portrayals of daily life, curtain—and body—falls. henchmen moments away, Tosca curses including violence and police brutality. Scarpia and leaps from the roof of the BACKGROUND Audiences reacted with empathy to the prison to her tragic demise. real-world emotions on stage but were Puccini first considered setting Victorien also startled by the graphic, naturalistic FUN FACT Sardou’s stage drama La Tosca in 1889, staging. Later the same year, Toscanini two years after the play premiered. Castel Sant’Angelo, the Roman prison conducted performances at La Scala in Ricordi, Verdi’s longtime publisher, had that provides the setting for the third act, Milan, cementing Tosca as a fulcrum of tagged Puccini as Verdi’s successor poses a question of accuracy in Sardou’s the Italianate repertoire. and pressured the younger composer to riveting play. The castle, a historical keep his focus on Manon Lescaut. When SYNOPSIS landmark, is open to the public, and a Puccini got word that Ricordi had asked trip to the top of the castle quickly proves Floria Tosca, a celebrated singer, composer Alberto Franchetti to write an that the leap that marks Tosca’s climax meets her lover Mario Cavaradossi operatic adaptation of Sardou’s play, would be virtually impossible. A series in the church where he is working on Puccini convinced his rival that the source of ledges, each just a few feet below the a fresco. Cavaradossi is providing material would not easily transfer to the next, would require a running start and refuge to Angelotti, a comrade and herculean jump to clear in just one leap. political prisoner on the run. When the

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Liudmyla Monastyrska Alexey Dolgov Andrzej Dobber Patrick Summers John Caird

Created for HGO, the sets and costumes Following her triumphant HGO debut his passionate interpretation of the artist by Tony Award–winning designer Bunny opening the 2013–14 season in the title Mario Cavaradossi. Polish baritone Andrzej Christie bring director John Caird’s vivid, role of Verdi’s Aida, Ukrainian soprano Dobber makes his highly anticipated HGO urgent staging to life. Religious imagery Liudmyla Monastyrska returns as Floria debut as the vile Baron Scarpia. HGO permeates this production, which moves the Tosca, the role that thrust her career Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers action from its original setting of 1800 to the to international stardom in Berlin just conducts the star-studded international time of the opera’s composition—turn-of- a few years ago. Russian tenor Alexey cast and the HGO Orchestra, Chorus, and the-20th-century Rome. Dolgov, seen at HGO last season as Children’s Chorus in Puccini’s fiery score. Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, reprises

25 TCHAIKOVSKY EUGENE ONEGIN

Photo by Carole Parodi

Brown Theater OCT. NOV. NOV. NOV. NOV. Sung in Russian with 30 1 7 10 13 projected English 7.30 p.m. 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. translation

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Eugene Onegin Scott Hendricks ‡ Conductor Michael Hofstetter Tatyana Katie Van Kooten Production Robert Carsen Lensky Norman Reinhardt ‡ Revival Director Paula Suozzi * Olga Megan Samarin † Set/Costume Designer Michael Levine Michelle Beale and Lighting Designer Christine Binder Dick Anderson Fellow Choreographer Serge Bennathan * Prince Gremin Dmitry Belosselskiy Chorus Master Richard Bado ‡ The Sarah and Ernest Butler Chorus Master Chair Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus

* Houston Grand Opera debut † Houston Grand Opera Studio artist ‡ Former Houston Grand Opera Studio artist

Premier Guarantor—The General and Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Opera Fund A Canadian Opera Company production. This production of Eugene Onegin was originally created for the Metropolitan Opera.

SUMMER 2015 26 HGO.org rom the composer who penned Unfortunately their relationship did FUN FACT the cherished ballet scores of not survive to see opening night. Eugene Onegin is one of a number of Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Composition was delayed by their F operas in which the writing or reading of and The Nutcracker comes a drama quickly deteriorating marriage, and a letter functions as a major musical and replete with passion, unrequited love, by the premiere in March 1879 dramatic moment. Affectionately known and a heart-stopping duel. Tchaikovsky Milyukova and Tchaikovsky had as the Letter Scene (“Puskai pogybnu valued the portrayal of emotions separated. This marked the second ja” or “I cannot hide my love”), Tatyana’s and subtle characterizations for the failed marriage of Tchaikovsky, a heartfelt Act I outpouring of love for principal roles in Eugene Onegin and deeply closeted homosexual. Onegin is some of the most glorious worried that professional singers of SYNOPSIS music of the opera. Onegin echoes the the era would assume that beautiful music from this scene later in the third act singing alone would satisfy their duties. At their family’s country estate, the when he declares his intention to write to With that in mind, he entrusted the hopelessly romantic Tatyana and her Tatyana and tell her his feelings. premiere of the piece to students of sister Olga sing of love. Their neighbor the Moscow Conservatory in 1879. Lensky arrives accompanied by his Verdi also recognized the dramatic friend Onegin. Tatyana, who always has power of a letter and used it in Violetta’s BACKGROUND her head in a romance novel, identifies reading of Germont’s letter in Act III of La Tchaikovsky received a love letter from his Onegin as the man destined for her. That traviata (“Teneste la promessa”), as well student Antonina Milyukova in May 1877. night, in a passionate outpouring, Tatyana as in numerous scenes of his final opera, Soon after, a friend suggested he consider puts all of her feelings for Onegin down Falstaff. Benjamin Britten’s hauntingly setting Pushkin’s verse-novel Eugene in writing in arguably the opera’s most erotic setting of the Governess’s letter Onegin as an opera. At first Tchaikovsky famous section—the Letter Scene. The of concern to the children’s guardian in was unsure if Pushkin’s story of social feelings are not mutual, and Tatyana is The Turn of the Screw sends the chilling conventions and the loss of youthful humiliated as Onegin reproaches her plot into its final tragic twists. Act III of naïveté would translate successfully to for being too forward with a stranger. Massenet’s Werther opens with Charlotte the operatic stage. When he read the Tensions build at Tatyana’s name day rereading Werther’s letters on Christmas passage in which Tatyana writes a letter party, leading to a deadly duel. After Eve, reliving extreme elation and crushing to Onegin professing her love for him, many years, Tatyana and Onegin are sorrow all at once. inspiration struck. Two months later reunited, only to realize their chance at Tchaikovsky and Milyukova were wed love has passed. and the opera was two-thirds complete.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Scott Hendricks Katie Van Kooten Norman Reinhardt Megan Samarin Dmitry Belosselskiy

Michael Hofstetter Robert Carsen Paula Suozzi

Tchaikovsky valued simplicity and and Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s dazzling Butterfly. Katie Van Kooten portrays sincerity above all else when composing symphonic score. Tatyana, the lovesick woman swept away Eugene Onegin. Robert Carsen’s austere into a life she doesn’t desire. The ever- HGO Studio alumnus Scott Hendricks takes production, rooted in emotional turmoil versatile Norman Reinhardt (last season’s on the title role of Eugene Onegin, having and vivid characterizations, pairs brilliantly Cassio in Otello and Ferrando in Così fan thrilled Houston audiences recently with his with Michael Levine’s spare, frigid sets and tutte) returns as Lensky, and HGO Studio portrayals of Aida’s father, Amonasro, and rich period costumes. Michael Hofstetter artist Megan Samarin makes her role debut the American consul Sharpless in Madame returns to conduct the HGO Chorus as Tatyana’s sister, Olga.

27 RACHEL PORTMAN NICHOLAS WRIGHT Production by FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THE LITTLE PRINCE Based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Photo by Brett Coomer

Cullen Theater DEC. DEC. DEC. DEC. DEC. DEC. DEC. DEC. DEC. Sung in English 4 6 9 11 13 16 18 19 20 with projected 7 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 7 p.m.∞ 7 p.m.∞ 2:30 p.m.∞ 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.◊ 2:30 p.m. English text

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

The Little Prince Andy Jones * Conductor Bradley Moore Cohle H. Smith * Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Alkek Chair The Pilot Joshua Hopkins ‡ Emily Senturia ‡∞ Ben Edquist †◊ Production Francesca Zambello Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Revival Director Ellen Douglas Schlaefer Terrell Tone Owen Memorial Set/Costume Designer Maria Bjørnson Endowed Fund at the Original Lighting Designer Rick Fisher Community Foundation of Children’s Chorus Abilene Endowed Fellow Director Karen Reeves Snake/Vain Man John Kapusta * Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Children’s Chorus The Fox Sofia Selowsky † Mr. and Mrs. James W. Crownover Fellow

* Houston Grand Opera debut ◊ Alternate cast ∞ Alternate conductor † Houston Grand Opera Studio artist ‡ Former Houston Grand Opera Studio artist

Commissioned through a generous gift made by Kathryn and David Berg in A co-production of Houston Grand Opera with Skylight Opera Theatre, memory of Larry Pfeffer. Tulsa Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and The Wang Center for the Performing Grand Guarantor—The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation Arts. Le Petit Prince copyright Editions Gallimard, Paris 1946. Used by Guarantor—The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts permission. Premiered by Houston Grand Opera in May 2003. Grand Underwriter—The Cullen Foundation

SUMMER 2015 28 HGO.org achel Portman’s delightful opera 250 languages and dialects to date. The SYNOPSIS The Little Prince makes its immediacy of the story and its ability to An unnamed Pilot crash-lands his airplane triumphant return to Houston address universal issues that transcend R in the Sahara Desert. He soon meets the Grand Opera in Francesca Zambello’s cultural divides has allowed translations Little Prince, a young boy who traveled beloved original production—the second of the book to become a worldwide to Earth from a far-off planet. Together in HGO’s series of family-friendly holiday model for learning languages. It can be they share stories from their past, from operas. One of the most successful found in the curriculums of schools in the the Pilot’s frustrations as a child being commissions in HGO’s extensive history United States, France, and beyond. misunderstood by adults, to the Prince’s of producing new works, The Little Saint-Exupéry, a French writer and encounters with a snake, a rose, and Prince received its world premiere in pioneering aviator, found his greatest a group of stubborn baobab trees. Houston on May 31, 2003. The piece success in writing The Little Prince. went on to international success, Much like Mozart’s The Magic Flute, The In addition to Portman’s operatic having been programmed by New York Little Prince addresses large issues while adaptation, the timeless story of a Pilot City Opera, San Francisco Opera, and camouflaged as a fairy tale. Through their and a Prince crash-landing in a desert Washington National Opera, as well as chance encounter, the young Prince and has been adapted into ballets, musicals, internationally in Hungary, Lithuania, the Pilot explore the uniqueness of the and multiple stage plays. The first and most recently in South Korea. human spirit, the pain of separation, and full-length cinematic version premiered the necessity of imagination. BACKGROUND in 1967 in Lithuania while the 1974 Paramount movie musical, starring Bob FUN FACT Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s French Fosse and Gene Wilder, included lyrics novella Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) Composer Rachel Portman was the first and music by Lerner and Loewe. is one of the most widely translated female to win an Academy Award for books in the history of publishing. Since Best Musical or Comedy Score for Emma the English translation was published in 1996. She went on to garner more in the United States during World War nominations for her scores for The Cider II, the number of available translations House Rules and Chocolat. has continued to grow, reaching over

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Joshua Hopkins Andy Jones Cohle H. Smith John Kapusta Sofia Selowsky

Bradley Moore Francesca Zambello Ellen Douglas Schlaefer

Francesca Zambello’s definitive production Orchestra, joined by 20 child choristers, performs Count Almaviva in The Marriage returns to the Cullen stage this December. through Portman’s whimsical score. of Figaro this season, sings the Pilot, The late Maria Bjørnson’s costumes and with HGO Studio baritone Ben Edquist The title role of The Little Prince is sets transport the audience to a fanciful taking on the role for the December 19 shared by boy sopranos Andy Jones world of singing trees, pompous kings, and student matinee performances. and Cohle H. Smith, both making their and wise foxes. Bradley Moore and Emily HGO debuts. Joshua Hopkins, who also Senturia conduct the cast and HGO

29 MOZART THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

Photo by Alastair Muir

Brown Theater JAN. JAN. JAN. FEB. FEB. FEB. Sung in Italian with 22 24 30 3 5 7 projected English 7.30 p.m. 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2 p.m. translation

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Figaro Adam Plachetka * Conductor Harry Bicket * Susanna Heidi Stober ‡ Production Michael Grandage Count Almaviva Joshua Hopkins ‡ Revival Director Ian Rutherford Countess Almaviva Ailyn Pérez Set/Costume Designer Christopher Oram Cherubino Lauren Snouffer ‡ Original Lighting Designer Paule Constable Dr. Bartolo Peixin Chen ‡ Movement Director Ben Wright * Marcellina Catherine Cook Chorus Master Richard Bado ‡ The Sarah and Ernest Butler Chorus Master Chair Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus

* Houston Grand Opera debut † Houston Grand Opera Studio artist ‡ Former Houston Grand Opera Studio artist

Guarantor—Houston Methodist A co-production of Houston Grand Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera Grand Underwriter—PwC

SUMMER 2015 30 HGO.org ierre Beaumarchais’s trilogy of BACKGROUND SYNOPSIS plays that provided the source Numerous works from Mozart’s oeuvre Mistaken identities, spousal humiliation material for The Marriage of P remain perennial favorites at opera and madcap comedy converge over the Figaro was so scandalously sexual and houses worldwide, but none have the course of one single day of madness politically explosive at the time that it well-deserved recognition of his three in the second installment of the was banned in France in 1784 and in collaborations with the librettist Lorenzo Beaumarchais trilogy. Flanked by the Vienna later the same year. Emperor Da Ponte. At first glance they seem to be stories of The Barber of Seville and The Joseph II advised Mozart and his a disparate pair: Mozart’s life had been Ghosts of Versailles, The Marriage of librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, to tame defined by hard work and seriousness, Figaro follows Figaro and Susanna, a down the story in fear of provoking debuting concertos, playing concerts, young servant couple preparing for their audiences, yet the second performance and winning awards by the age of wedding day, their happiness interrupted was met with five encores from the seven. Da Ponte operated in the world by the Count’s desire to invoke his feudal audience. When the third performance of comedy, becoming the champion of right and sleep with his wife’s maid before called for seven encores, the emperor opera buffa in spite of remaining illiterate the marriage. Identities are exchanged got involved again—this time imposing until age 14. and jealousy escalates, culminating in the a ban on exorbitant encores at future most treasured virtue of all: forgiveness. performances: “To prevent the excessive This partnership developed into the duration of the operas, but without single most noted composer-librettist FUN FACTS prejudice to the fame often sought by relationship of the operatic canon. The original Barbarina, Anna Gottlieb, was opera singers from the repetition of vocal Beginning with Figaro and continuing just 12 years old at the premiere in 1786. pieces, I deem the enclosed notice to with Don Giovanni and Così fan tutte, Francesco Benuci, who originated the the public (that no piece for more than Mozart and Da Ponte developed a new title role, later went on to sing Leporello a single voice is to be repeated) to be style of storytelling. They transformed in the first Viennese production of Don the most reasonable expedient.” Only opera into an emotionally manipulative Giovanni and had continued success with solo numbers were to be encored, art form, telling stories of real people Mozart’s Da Ponte operas as Guglielmo in leaving Mozart’s brilliant ensembles that audiences could empathize with and Così fan tutte. to be enjoyed in one fleeting moment, recognize. This synergistic relationship the audience clamoring for more. provided the backbone that defined the late 18th century—the perfection of classical form.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Adam Plachetka Heidi Stober Joshua Hopkins Ailyn Pérez Lauren Snouffer

Harry Bicket Michael Grandage Ian Rutherford

The production team behind this season’s Vienna. Paule Constable’s luscious lighting Studio alumna Heidi Stober as Susanna. Figaro features the most awarded creative evokes warm Moroccan days and opulent Ailyn Pérez, whose memorable house and team of the season, all members having evening gardens. role debut as Desdemona in Otello opened won both Tony and Olivier Awards among last season, appears as Countess Almaviva. Renowned interpreter of baroque and other accolades. Michael Grandage’s Joshua Hopkins returns as her husband, classical repertoire Harry Bicket makes his production and Christopher Oram’s vivid Count Almaviva. Lauren Snouffer makes HGO debut conducting a superb young cast sets and costumes transport the action her first HGO appearance since graduating of singers chosen to represent the voice to Morocco in the 1960s—a time when from the Studio, as the pageboy Cherubino. types of the singers who premiered the the convergence of cultures and growing roles in 1786. Adam Plachetka makes his liberalism paralleled the ideals of Mozart’s HGO debut in the title role alongside HGO

31 DVORÁK RUSALKA

Photo by Bill Cooper

Brown Theater JAN. JAN. FEB. FEB. FEB. Sung in Czech with 29 31 6 9 12 projected English 7.30 p.m. 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. translation

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Rusalka Ana María Martínez ‡ Conductor Harry Bicket Lynn Wyatt Great Artist 2010–11 Production Melly Still * Prince Brian Jagde * Revival Director Donna Stirrup * Vodník, a water sprite Richard Paul Fink ‡ Set/Costume Designer Rae Smith * Ježibaba, a witch Jill Grove ‡ Original Lighting Designer Paule Constable Foreign Princess Maida Hundeling * Movement Director Rick Nodine * Chorus Master Richard Bado ‡ The Sarah and Ernest Butler Chorus Master Chair Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus

* Houston Grand Opera debut ‡ Former Houston Grand Opera Studio artist

Guarantor—Vinson & Elkins LLP This production was created for Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Grand Underwriter—Edward and Frances Bing Fund

SUMMER 2015 32 HGO.org ermaids, an evil Foreign Princess, programmed, depend more strongly on SYNOPSIS and one disastrous wedding musical depiction of atmosphere than on Rusalka, a mermaid of the lake and day: Hans Christian Anderson’s character. Dvořák’s other stage works are M daughter of the water goblin Vodník, legendary tale The Little Mermaid comes often criticized for too closely resembling exclaims to her father that she has to life in Dvořák’s lush adaptation of the his influences—chiefly Wagner’s earlier fallen in love with a Prince who comes iconic Slavic fairy tale. Dvořák’s most operas Tannhäuser and Lohengrin. to hunt near the lake where they live. successful opera returns to Houston after With Rusalka Dvořák contrasts the She longs to become human, walk on a 25-year absence in a deeply moving, glittering and ethereal spirit world with solid ground, and love him as his wife. darkly fanciful production with Ana a passionate, direct, and emphatically Vodník dismisses her idea, but refers María Martínez in the title role. Packed symphonic material world. As Rusalka is her to the witch Ježibaba for help. The with tragic melodies and bombastic drawn into the arms of a mortal the styles witch agrees to brew a potion that will symphonic ballets, Rusalka begins blend with sublime majestic effect. transform Rusalka, warning her that lightheartedly but dives into darker The celebrated first-act aria “Píseň she will lose her ability to speak, and, themes of betrayal and infidelity. World- Rusalky o měsíčku”—better known as if either party is ever unfaithful, they class singing and acrobatic silk aerialists Rusalka’s Song to the Moon, is surely the both will be eternally damned. At their dramatically bring this haunting pillar of most recognizable music in the piece. Its lavish wedding, the mute Rusalka is the Czech repertoire to life. haunting harp glissandos and string motif crossed by the evil Foreign Princess, BACKGROUND that begin the scene return throughout who convinces the Prince to reject her. the score similarly to Wagner’s use of As an operatic composer, Dvořák is Broken, Rusalka recedes back into the leitmotifs. This aria is but a sampling of often overshadowed by his Czech lake as a bludička—a spirit of death. The the wealth of fine music in Dvořák’s score. contemporaries Smetana and Janáček. Prince returns and Rusalka explains her The Wood Nymphs’ scene in Act III, in Dvořák wrote ten operas, but Rusalka silence, although it is too late. He begs for which the first nymph sings a delightful remains the only one regularly performed one final kiss, knowing it will mean certain folk ballad, is a lustrous example of today. The grim fairy tale is the only death. Rusalka kisses him and slowly Dvořák’s lyrical writing. The poignant dramatic work that successfully sinks into darkness, cursed to live alone fairy tale culminates in some of the most harnesses Dvořák’s compositional voice, in the abyss. spectacular music written for the stage as which comes through so strongly in his Rusalka bids farewell to everything she concert music. His other operas, of which once desired. The Devil and Kate is the most regularly

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Ana María Martínez Brian Jagde Richard Paul Fink Jill Grove

Maida Hundeling Harry Bicket Melly Still Donna Stirrup

Radiant soprano Ana María Martínez adds fairy tale is brought vividly to life by set and meeting the beautiful Rusalka. Studio the title role of Rusalka to the extensive list costume designer Rae Smith. alumna Jill Grove, known for her committed portrayals of Wagner, Verdi, and Strauss of leading heroines Houston audiences have Highlighting Dvořák’s highly motivic score, roles, returns as the witch Ježibaba. Fellow had the pleasure of seeing her perform on Harry Bicket conducts the HGO Chorus HGO Studio alumnus and Grammy Award– the Brown stage. Martínez stars in Melly and Orchestra in a piece indebted to winning bass-baritone Richard Paul Fink Still’s production, which was designed the influences of Wagner, Smetana, and returns as Rusalka’s father, Vodník, and for her to debut the role at the 2009 Meyerbeer. American tenor Brian Jagde soprano Maida Hundeling makes her role Glyndebourne Festival. This organic and makes an important house debut as the and house debut as the Foreign Princess. deliberate staging of Dvořák’s sad, modern Prince whose fate is forever altered after

33 CARLISLE FLOYD PRINCE OF PLAYERS World premiere

Photo by Lynn Lane

Cullen Theater MAR. MAR. MAR. Sung in English with 5 11 13 projected text 8 p.m. 8 p.m. 2:30 p.m.

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Edward Kynaston Ben Edquist † Composer/librettist Carlisle Floyd Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Lynn Wyatt Great Artist 2015–16 Terrell Tone Owen Memorial Conductor Patrick Summers Endowed Fund at the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Community Foundation of Director Michael Gieleta * Abilene Endowed Fellow Set Designer Shoko Kambara * Margaret Hughes Mane Galoyan † Costume Designer Gregory Gale * Mr. and Mrs. Philip A. Bahr/ Lighting Designer Renée Brode Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Nickson Chorus Master Richard Bado ‡ Fellow The Sarah and Ernest Butler Chorus Charles II Chad Shelton ‡ Master Chair Sir Charles Sedley Joseph Evans Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus Villiers, Duke of Buckingham Scott Quinn ‡

* Houston Grand Opera debut † Houston Grand Opera Studio artist ‡ Former Houston Grand Opera Studio artist

Grand Guarantors—Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Inc.; Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. David B. Duthu Based on Compleat Female Stage Beauty by Jeffrey Hatcher. By special Guarantor—Cynthia and Anthony Petrello arrangement with Lionsgate. Grand Underwriter—Lynn Wyatt

SUMMER 2015 34 HGO.org rince of Players marks yet another stage, leaving all roles to be played occasion, Sir Charles Sedley makes milestone in composer Carlisle by men. After King Charles II reversed advances to Kynaston, thinking he is P Floyd’s 40-year relationship the ban, allowing women on stage and a female prostitute, with the result that with Houston Grand Opera. No other forbidding men to play female roles, Sedley is humiliated and determined American opera company has had those who were once in the spotlight to get revenge on Kynaston. After King such a prolific relationship with a living were left desperate, trying to redefine Charles’s edict and a brutal physical composer, and next spring’s production their careers and learn to interpret male attack instigated by Sedley, Kynaston is will mark the fifth Floyd world premiere roles, often falling victim to physical and broken. But with the help of his dresser commissioned by HGO. In a firm emotional abuse by a public struggling and confidante, Margaret Hughes, departure from the romantic Americana to understand these fallen celebrities. Kynaston makes a triumphant return to of Floyd’s earlier works, Prince of the stage in a gripping performance in the SYNOPSIS Players transports us to London in the title role of Othello. The opera explores 17th century as a significant moment in Prince of Players illustrates one man’s how people react in times of extreme theatrical history forever impacts the life triumph over crisis as he is forced to crisis, and questions about sexual identity of one performer. reexamine his personal and professional and society’s acceptance of alternative life when an outside force upturns both. lifestyles that resonate just as clearly BACKGROUND Set in 1661, at a pivotal point in the today as they did 350 years ago. An avid cinephile, Floyd found inspiration history of British theater, Prince of Players FUN FACT in the 2004 Richard Eyre film Stage opens with the wildly acclaimed Edward Beauty. Adapted from Jeffrey Hatcher’s Kynaston performing his signature Carlisle Floyd retired from composing play Compleat Female Stage Beauty, the role—Desdemona in Shakespeare’s opera in 2001. After attending a story examines the life of the historical Othello. Kynaston’s life onstage often performance of Mary Stuart at HGO figure Edward Kynaston, the preeminent bleeds into his personal life, as wealthy in 2012, however, he declared that he interpreter of Shakespearean heroines women love to be seen in his company, wanted to compose one more opera— in the mid-17th century. Up to this point demanding that the androgynous star and if he was going to write it, it had to women were not permitted to act on keep his costume on. On one such premiere at Houston Grand Opera.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Ben Edquist Mane Galoyan Chad Shelton Joseph Evans Scott Quinn

Carlisle Floyd Patrick Summers Michael Gieleta

Acclaimed American composer Carlisle Michael Gieleta makes his Houston debut Baritone Ben Edquist tackles the difficult Floyd has cemented his legacy in the directing the world premiere production. role of Edward Kynaston, balancing both his operatic repertoire with successes such Shoko Kambara’s set designs transport us “onstage” appearances as Shakespearean as Susannah (1955), Of Mice and Men to the theater world of 17th century England heroines with the man left to deal with (1960), and Cold Sassy Tree (an HGO and allow an intimate behind the scenes the remnants of a life once defined by commission that premiered here in 2000). view of life in the theater. Gregory Gale’s his career. Mane Galoyan sings Margaret Floyd’s relationship with HGO extends well costumes evoke the era of King Charles II Hughes, Kynaston’s dresser and emotional beyond the stage: in 1977, he co-founded and reflect Kynaston’s descent from theater ally. HGO Studio alumnus Chad Shelton the Houston Grand Opera Studio with David idol to a life in the bowels of society. returns as King Charles II and Joseph Gockley, HGO’s general director from 1972 Evans debuts the role of the vengeful Sir HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick to 2005. Charles Sedley. Summers conducts the world premiere cast. 35 WAGNER SIEGFRIED

Photo by Tato Baeza/Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía

Brown Theater APR. APR. APR. APR. MAY Sung in German with 16 20 23 28 1 projected English 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. translation

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Siegfried Jay Hunter Morris Conductor Patrick Summers Wanderer Iain Paterson Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Brünnhilde Christine Goerke Production La Fura dels Baus Sponsored by Dr. Elizabeth Director Carlus Padrissa Grimm and Dr. Jack A. Roth Movement/Associate Mime Rodell Rosel Director Esteban Muñoz Alberich Christopher Purves Set Designer Roland Olbeter Erda Meredith Arwady Costume Designer Chu Uroz Fafner Andrea Silvestrelli Lighting Designer Peter van Praet Projection Designer Franc Aleu Houston Grand Opera Orchestra

Premier Guarantors—Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Inc.; A co-production of Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, Valencia, and Maggio Mr. John G. Turner and Mr. Jerry G. Fischer. Musicale, Florence Grand Guarantor—Medistar Guarantors—Robin Angly and Miles Smith; Mrs. Janice Barrow; BBVA Compass. Grand Underwriters— The Brown Foundation, Inc., Carol Franc Buck Foundation; Chevron; Dr. Elizabeth Grimm and Dr. Jack A. Roth; Donna Kaplan and Richard A. Lydecker; Beth Madison; Mr. and Mrs. J. Landis Martin; Will L. McLendon

SUMMER 2015 36 HGO.org ollowing the success of the initial SYNOPSIS the dragon, eliminating Mime after his two chapters of Houston Grand failed attempt to poison the hero. The When we last left our saga Sieglinde had Opera’s first complete Ring cycle, dragon’s blood gives Siegfried the power F run to the forest to birth the greatest of Siegfried marks the story that inspired the to interpret birdcalls, so he understands all heroes, and Wotan had kissed the creation of the entire saga. If Wagner’s the Forest Bird’s song about a woman godhead away from his favorite daughter, four opera epic represented the seasons, in distress. Triumphantly Siegfried Brünnhilde. Now, condemned to sleep this year’s installment would signify the penetrates the ring of fire and awakens on the mountaintop, surrounded by a coming of autumn. The passion from Die the now-mortal Brünnhilde. In the opera’s ring of fire, she can be awakened only by Walküre has faded as the preparation glorious conclusion, Brünnhilde and the noblest of all men. Before the third for the harsh reality of the final saga Siegfried sing of their mutual love and the installment gets underway, Sieglinde begins. The remarkable production from gods’ imminent demise in what is the first fulfills her destiny, dying while giving birth La Fura dels Baus continues to tell the proper duet of the entire cycle. to the hero Siegfried. Mime, Alberich’s story with exceptional narrative clarity, henchman, finds Siegfried and raises him FUN FACT while presenting images and settings in a cave near the lair of Fafner, the giant- consistent with the Norse mythology Siegfried will feature 35 supers, whose turned-dragon that protects the ring. that inspired the cycle. We finally meet fearless bodies have portrayed such Siegfried, for whom the sword collected Siegfried opens quietly; Wagner sets memorable visuals in previous Ring in Die Walküre is destined. The hero is a tone fraught with apprehension and installments as the walls of Valhalla, the charged with the tremendous task of anticipation. Mime attempts to connect stolen gold, and last season’s staggering preventing the downfall of the gods in this the pieces of the sword that have been wrecking ball pendulum that opened the staggering Ring for the 21st century. left for Siegfried, prompting the youth third act of Die Walküre. This season’s to demand to learn his true identity. The chapter spotlights our daring group of solemn Wanderer enters, whom we know supers more than ever before. as Wotan in disguise, and through a set of riddles informs Mime that only one “who has never felt fear” can fulfill the sword’s destiny. Siegfried is victorious in assembling the sword and slaying

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Jay Hunter Morris Iain Paterson Christine Goerke Rodell Rosel

Christopher Purves Meredith Arwady Andrea Silvestrelli Patrick Summers Carlus Padrissa

Houston Grand Opera welcomes back the Jay Hunter Morris sings the title role of Rosel and Christopher Purves return as creative team that has been dazzling HGO Siegfried, one of the most demanding tenor Mime and Alberich, respectively. audiences since the Ring cycle began roles in the repertoire. He returns to the Meredith Arwady brings her stentorian with Das Rheingold. Carlus Padrissa of role after winning a 2013 Grammy Award contralto to the Earth mother Erda, the illustrious theater group La Fura dels for a complete recording of the cycle. and Andrea Silvestrelli returns as the Baus returns to direct. This installment After entrancing audiences in her searing thunderous Fafner. Houston Grand continues the astonishing visual storytelling, performance of the title role in last season’s Opera Artistic and Music Director Patrick with gripping representations of Mime’s Die Walküre, soprano Christine Goerke Summers conduct this superlative cast and murky lair, the face-off between Siegfried returns as Wotan’s now-mortal daughter the HGO Orchestra in Wagner’s complex, and the dragon Fafner, and human bodies Brünnhilde. Iain Paterson will sing his first rich score. exemplifying the effects of the gods’ greed. Wanderer (Wotan in disguise), and Rodell

37 RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN CAROUSEL

Photo by Todd Rosenberg

Brown Theater APR. APR. APR. APR. APR. MAY MAY Sung in English 22 24 27 29 30 6 7 with projected 7.30 p.m. 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. English text

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Billy Bigelow Duncan Rock * Conductor/Chorus Master Richard Bado ‡ Julie Jordan Andrea Carroll ‡ The Sarah and Ernest Butler Chorus Carrie Pipperidge Lauren Snouffer ‡ Master Chair Enoch Snow Alexander Lewis * Director/Choreographer Rob Ashford Nettie Fowler Stephanie Blythe* Set Designer Paolo Ventura * Jigger Craigin Ben Edquist † Costume Designer Catherine Zuber Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Original Lighting Designer Neil Austin Terrell Tone Owen Memorial Sound Designer Andrew Harper Endowed Fund at the Community Foundation of Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus Abilene Endowed Fellow

* Houston Grand Opera debut † Houston Grand Opera Studio artist ‡ Former Houston Grand Opera Studio artist

Grand Underwriter—Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams, A co-production of Houston Grand Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Brucie and Andrew Moore Carousel is presented through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals: www.rnh.com.

SUMMER 2015 38 HGO.org yricist-composer team Richard meeting Molnár after he attended a leaving just the final moments of the Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein performance of Oklahoma! This proved piece in question. Finding a way to LII joined forces again for Carousel to be a well-crafted plan, as Molnár soften the impact of the slap and adding after the colossal success of their exclaimed that if they could do as good a the graduation scene that completes first collaboration, Oklahoma! The job as they did adapting Lynn Rigg’s 1931 Carousel proved to be just what Molnár’s Mozart–Da Ponte of the musical theater play Green Grow the Lilacs (the source story needed. world, this legendary pair went on to material for Oklahoma!), then he would be SYNOPSIS collaborate on South Pacific, The King honored to leave his story in their hands. and I, Cinderella and The Sound of In a small New England town at the end Rodgers and Hammerstein were not Music. Opening with the bittersweet of the 19th century, carousel barker Billy initially convinced of the feasibility of “Carousel Waltz” and featuring show Bigelow charms and marries the young adapting Liliom into a musical. The stopping favorites like “June Is Busting millworker Julie Jordan. The couple falls Hungarian play was not successful at Out All Over” and “If I Loved You,” on hard times and Billy finds himself its 1909 premiere, but gained popularity Carousel dives deeper into the human caught in an attempted robbery—a crime when it was staged in post-war New psyche than many other American he saw as his only option to support his York in an English translation. The pair musicals. Exploring darker social themes pregnant wife. Facing the reality of a life had numerous concerns. The settings of of spousal abuse, cold-blooded crime, behind bars, he takes his own life. Fifteen Budapest, Hungary, and a nondescript and death in the family, Carousel was years later, Billy is granted a return to area outside the gates of Heaven didn’t far ahead of its time in the musical earth from “up there” for just one day. lend themselves naturally to the American genre. Culminating in the seminal ballad Meeting the daughter he never knew, he musical stage. More distressingly, a “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” Carousel urges her to believe in herself, leaving violent slap near the end of the play, concludes with healing and redemption. a legacy of hope and absolution as he leading to the damnation of the principal ascends toward heaven. BACKGROUND male character, didn’t exactly scream “box office hit.” FUN FACT Ferenc Molnár’s 1909 play Liliom, the source material for Carousel, proved to The team toyed with different settings, John Raitt, the original Billy Bigelow, be one of the hardest stories to snag including transferring the action to was discovered while producers were for a dramatic musical adaptation. Both Louisiana. Progress came when Rodgers, auditioning replacements for the role of Giacomo Puccini and Kurt Weill tried to who owned property in Connecticut, Curly in Oklahoma! The first selection pressure Molnár into releasing the rights, envisioned a New England setting, with they asked him to sing was “Largo al but the playwright denied both. Rodgers crowds of sailors, mill workers, and factotum,” Figaro’s aria from The Barber and Hammerstein strategically suggested clambakes. The details fell into place, of Seville.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Duncan Rock Andrea Carroll Lauren Snouffer Alexander Lewis Stephanie Blythe

Ben Edquist Richard Bado Rob Ashford Paolo Ventura

Stage director and choreographer Rob small New England town where the darkly her first appearance at HGO since her Ashford leads the creative team for romantic tale unfolds. tenure in the HGO Studio. Fellow alumna Carousel, bringing back his distinct blend Lauren Snouffer sings the role of Carrie Richard Bado conducts a fresh cast of of dance, drama, beauty, and grit that Pipperidge and Alexander Lewis makes his operatic singers through Rodgers and dazzled Houston audiences in his recent HGO debut as Enoch Snow. Distinguished Hammerstein’s charming and poignant new production of Carmen. Ashford is mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe makes a score. Australian baritone Duncan Rock a Tony Award–winning director whose long overdue HGO debut as Nettie Fowler. makes his HGO debut as Billy Bigelow, dynamic vision brings life and energy to this Her rendition of the climactic ballad “You’ll the carousel barker. He catches the eye new HGO co-production with Lyric Opera Never Walk Alone” is sure to be a highlight of the ingénue Julie Jordan, played by of Chicago. Italian artist Paolo Ventura’s of the season. stunning soprano Andrea Carroll, making haunting set design transports us to a 39 This page: rendering by set designer Shoko Kambara. Opposite from left: King Charles II, Margaret Hughes, and Edward Kynaston.

rince of Players, the latest opera best among the “boy players” in the early from composer Carlisle Floyd, part of the Restoration in England. Boy represents a departure from his players specialized in female roles, since “callingP cards,” such as Susannah, Of Mice women of the time weren’t allowed to and Men, and Cold Sassy Tree. The folksy appear on stage. By all accounts, notably characters of Floyd’s earlier operas are that of Samuel Pepys, whose famous diary nowhere to be found in the new piece, painted an invaluable portrait of life in and the setting is not rural America but Restoration England, the androgynous London of the 17th century. What Prince Kynaston was simultaneously the most of Players does share in common with its beautiful woman in the house and the older siblings is the same compassion, handsomest man. even tenderness, for its central characters The historical Kynaston was born Composer Carlisle Floyd, the Lynn Wyatt Great Artist, that marks Floyd’s earlier works. c.1640, so he was only a tot on August 2015–16. Prince of Players is based on the play 22, 1642, when King Charles I began Above: set drawing by designer Compleat Female Stage Beauty, but even the English Civil War, pitting the Crown Shoko Kambara depicting a party more closely on the movie inspired by the unsuccessfully against the Parliament. hosted by King Charles II. play, Stage Beauty, starring Billy Crudup Only days later, on September 6, the Opposite: King Charles II, Margaret Hughes, and and Claire Danes. It tells the story— Puritan-influenced Parliament issued Edward Kynaston fictionalized yet rooted in history—of an order that all theaters be closed. the actor Edward Kynaston, the last and Charles was executed in 1649, his son

SUMMER 2015 40 HGO.org HGO Director of Publications Laura IT’S Chandler introduces the world premiere opera GOOD Prince of Players by Carlisle Floyd. TO BE Floyd sees the opera as a story of Kynaston’s evolution, both as an artist and a human being, alongside an equally THE compelling love story between the actor and his dresser, Margaret Hughes—who has her own acting ambitions and PRINCE becomes his greatest rival. But all good operas are multi-layered, and Prince of Players is no exception. To Michael Gieleta, approaching it from a director’s Charles II was exiled, and the monarchy the end of the scene, the audience leaps to standpoint, the core of the piece has to came to a temporary end. England its collective feet in adulation. do with the very nature of acting and was declared a republic, controlled by But Kynaston’s career as a boy player how an actor transforms himself—or Puritan Oliver Cromwell until his death would be short-lived, in the opera as well herself—into another character. Also, in 1658. But the theaters remained as in history: Charles II, whose mistress the opera sensitively explores the themes closed…until Charles II was invited Nell Gwynn aspired to be an actress, of sexuality, gender, and identity: when to come back to Britain in 1660. The issued an edict in 1661 not only allowing Kynaston says, “There are things I can monarchy was restored, and almost women to perform, but forbidding men to be as a woman that I could never be as a immediately, King Charles II began to perform as women. Kynaston and other man,” one understands he means not only grant licenses for theaters to open. boy players were out of a job, unless they on stage but in life. This is the point at which Prince of were willing and able to transition to male The greatest musical challenge in Players begins—in the early part of the roles. Kynaston was neither. composing Prince of Players, Floyd says, Restoration, an “exuberant” period in It was that crisis that captured was that he didn’t want it to sound at English history that was “a response to the Carlisle Floyd’s interest as he watched the all like his American operas because end of 20 years of austerity under Oliver film Stage Beauty. “Opera is about crisis,” of the place and period: “I wanted Cromwell,” says director Michael Gieleta. Floyd says. “Everyday activity has no place to avoid any kind of American folk In the opening scene, Kynaston is at the on the operatic stage. What could cause quality.” Floyd’s musical idiom, which height of his powers and in the midst of a more tension than Kynaston losing his art he describes as “conservative and quite performance as Desdemona in Othello. At and his life?” melodic,” is discernible in Prince of Players, even though the style is different

41 IT’S GOOD TO BE THE PRINCE JOIN US FOR THE START OF OUR 2015-16 HOUSTON SYMPHONY SEASON! from that of his established works. Th e See pp. 34–35 for listener should be prepared for some SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 more information appropriately placed dissonance as OPENING NIGHT WITH well as moments of melting lyricism. about Prince of JOSHUA BELL Incoming HGO Studio baritone Ben Players, including Edquist will sing the formidable role of CONCERT & GALA casting and Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Edward Kynaston, which Floyd points Joshua Bell, violin dates. out is one of the biggest roles he has ever written. Kynaston appears in every Honoring Margaret Alkek Williams scene. “I would have to check it out more carefully, but I don’t think I’ve written a leading character who is in every scene since Susannah,” says Floyd.

Joshua Bell, violin We don’t think we’re giving away too much to say that Kynaston fares a bit better in his opera than Susannah does SEPTEMBER 17, 19, 20, 2015 in hers. At the end of her story, Susannah MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 5 has triumphed over her community’s Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor unjust attacks, but at great personal cost On-Stage Insights with Andrés and with an uncertain future. Kynaston, featuring John Corigliano too, pays dearly for his triumph, but by John Corigliano: Stomp Gustav Mahler, composer Gustav Mahler, the end of the opera, he has come full BANKING World Premiere of Orchestral Version, a INVESTMENTS INSURANCE Houston Symphony Commission circle. He is once again the Prince of Frost Bank Gold Classics Mahler: Symphony No. 5 Players.

SEPTEMBER 25, 26, 27, 2015 ANDRÉS CONDUCTS DVOŘÁK Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Simone Porter, violin Dvořák: Slavonic Dances (selections) Barber: Violin Concerto Simone Porter, violin Simone Porter, Dvořák: Symphony No. 6

Shell Favorite Masters OCTOBER 1, 3, 4, 2015

SCHUMANN AND BARTÓK Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus Betsy Cook Weber, director Carlos Andrés Botero, co-host of conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada “Musically Speaking” RAND Bartók: Divertimento for Strings GROUP Rand Group Schumann: The Pilgrimage of the Rose Great Performers The October 1 concert is part of the “Musically Speaking” Series and will focus exclusively on Schumann’s The Pilgrimage of the Rose.

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SUMMER 2015 42 HGO.org SAVE THE DATE to Celebrate 60 Years of Love Houston Grand Opera Guild honors volunteers and community supporters who have given their love and time to further the Guild’s programs.

Saturday, October 3, 2015 11:30 a.m. Registration • 12:00 p.m. Brunch Omni Houston Hotel

Honoring Mr. Stephen Brenner 2015 Bonnie Sue Wooldridge Volunteer of the Year for his dedicated years of service in expanding the HGO Guild and HGO Boutique

Maria Blake Bravo Award Winner Systems Manager, Houston Grand Opera

Also recognizing Volunteers of Distinction: Melinda Anderson, Lynn Guggolz, and Joe Sims Rising Stars: Janis Doty, Marcheta Leighton-Beasley, and Isabel Trainer Crescendo Award Winner: Richard’s Liquors & Fine Wines

Tickets begin at $90.00 – Reservations required RSVP by September 23, 2015 You may register online at hgoguild.org/SocialFall.htm or contact the Guild at [email protected] or 713-546-0269 with questions.

Not a Guild Member? Join today. Visit hgoguild.org/Membership.htm to join online.

“HGO Guild volunteers are unique among the international opera community. They are ever-welcoming, displaying the singular hospitality for which Houston is distinctly known and providing countless valuable services for HGO. As a long recipient of their generosity, I can say they truly make HGO a HOME for those of us lucky enough to grace your stage. They are truly to be treasured!”

Joyce DiDonato Mezzo-soprano Houston Grand Opera Studio alum Unsung Heroes

BY PERRYN LEECH Opposite: Richard’s parents, Yee Tan HGO MANAGING DIRECTOR Wong and Hing Gem Wong, with Richard as an infant and their three daughters, Lisa (Clements), Debbie (Raschke), and Marilyn (Melton). Photo this page by Patrick Summers.

Richard Wong has been at HGO since 2003 and is the man behind the scenes who makes HGO’s renowned and efficient call center work so effectively. His journey to HGO was far from straightforward.

Perryn Leech: Can you tell me about visited in the hospital by a senator who work hard from them. Th at work ethic is your childhood and your early family was talking to and thanking the injured really ingrained in me and my sisters. life? soldiers. Th e senator thanked him for his That is a wonderful story about how Richard Wong: I was born in China and sacrifi ce and asked if there was anything hard work at school really pays off! What my family (of six) lived in Guangzhou he could do for him. My uncle asked him did you decide to do next? if he could help to bring his brother (my just outside of Hong Kong. My dad was a I decided that I wanted to give something dad) and sister to the United States. farmer and worked incredibly hard every back to the country that had given our day just to make sure that we had enough That was a long shot, though, surely? family so much, so I joined the U.S. to eat. My mother had to quit school at Yes, the whole process took over 20 Marine Corps. I completed basic training the age of 10 and started in the fi elds as years. It was extremely diffi cult to get out at MCRD San Diego and then went on to a farmer as well. At that young age, she of China during those years. Finally in communications school in Twentynine needed to work aft er losing her mother the 1970s the United States started talks Palms, California. It was tough training— and father. As most families in rural with China aft er years of no diplomatic three months in boot camp and then China at that time, we were very poor. contact. With the senator’s help we were another three months of combat training. So how did you get to the United eventually able to get over. Th e communications training is another States? How old were you when you arrived? four months. My uncle had gone to America in the Aft er completing school I was I was four and I did not speak a word of 1950s. My dad knew that one day he stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and fi nally English. At pre-school I was completely wanted to join him and give our family went on to Camp Pendleton. I was lost as I couldn’t communicate at all. I the chance of a better life. My uncle assigned to Charlie Company of the 1st listened and watched and slowly started had joined the U.S. military and served Surveillance Reconnaissance Intelligence to learn English and did well at school. at the time of the Korean War. During Group and my specialty was satellite My mother and father were working in his service in Korea, he was shot and communications. I was able to make a Chinese restaurant, and we learned to seriously injured. By good chance he was sergeant by the end of my third year aft er

SUMMER 2015 44 HGO.org call center supervisor and was there for three years. I ended up working full time and going to school full time during this period. I was able to finish up and get my bachelor’s degree from Lamar University. I ended up as department manager but WorldCom was struggling as a business and eventually folded. My wife and I were really anxious to get back to Houston by this point and then the job at HGO came up. That position was call center manager, but in a very different field from telecommunications. Were you surprised to get the job? I didn’t really have any arts experience at all so I knew that was an area that I would RICHARD WONG need to learn fast. I did feel that I could Gratefully Living add value in the organization with my experience running a call center. At the the American Dream time, it was not run as a “business” call center and my first boss—Jo LaBrecque— was determined to make it better. I learned a lot about opera very quickly by watching whenever I could, although I rarely saw entire shows as I was always working at the same time! successive meritorious promotions. That particular was worried sick, so I decided So a really steep learning curve, then! made my family very proud. One of my not to re-enlist. most significant life moments came at the That is completely understandable. HGO was very different. At WorldCom, end of boot camp. My father was never So what did you decide to do after the the calls were often technical in nature one for telling us he loved us, but at the Marines? or about the rates. There was a huge end of the three months he hugged me volume of calls and they were nearly all I wanted to go back to school. I used the and looked me in the eye and said he was aggressive! At HGO the majority of calls GI Bill to attend school at North Harris proud of me. That was a huge deal for me. are driven by ticket and service issues. We and got my associate’s degree. I then How long were you on active duty? are also an inbound and outbound center, went on to the University of Houston so there are a greater variety of calls that I served four years. When my first to study business. In my junior year at keep the job interesting. the University of Houston, I got a job at enlistment was coming to an end in 1998, And I know that the call center has I planned to re-enlist. Then Saddam a call center to earn some extra money. continued to evolve since you joined us. Hussein vetoed the weapons inspections My boss, the hiring manager, was an and suddenly everything went up a level. ex-marine and hired me straight in as a That is right. We have managed to get I was in Charlie Company and Alpha and supervisor. I found that I could do the a better focus on customer interaction. Bravo had been deployed to Saudi Arabia. job well. During this time I got engaged We now have portfolio managers who We were the only line company that was to Tracy, who has been my wife for over build relationships with each customer. still back in the States. We were lucky and 14 years now. Once we got married, I This allows customers to feel better my company was never deployed to the decided to put school on hold and work connected. People love knowing they Middle East. Saddam backed down and full time. can call a specific person who can take let the inspectors in. It had been relatively Did you come to HGO from there? care of any changes or issues they have. quiet and I had felt very safe for three That commitment to excellence is very Not quite! I took a job opportunity at and half years, but that conflict changed important and I think that we are in the WorldCom in Nederland, Texas, as a everything. I knew that my mother in best shape we have ever been. 45 UNSUNG HEROES

What about the next generation of HGO supporters? Are your kids starting to come and see operas yet? No, they are a bit young yet! Hunter is ten and Tristen is eight, and they are into a bit of everything, but mainly sports. My wife and I are determined to give them a balanced education and they are learning the same lessons from us that I learned from my family. If you work hard, then you can accomplish great things. Richard, his wife, I believe that by learning, Tracy, and their sons they can continue to live the Based on Professor Gaille’s course at the University Hunter and Tristen American Dream my family of Chicago, Shale Energy Development provides an has lived ever since they introduction to the commercial and legal aspects of came from China. shale ventures. —Amazon Books, 2014

Booker•Lowe Gallery Offering collectors Aboriginal and contemporary fine art of Australia for more than 13 years!

4623 Feagan Street Houston, Texas 77007 Phone: 713.880.1541 Email: [email protected] Hours: 11am – 5pm Wednesday – Saturday and by appointment www.bookerlowegallery.com Irene Namok, “Sacred Rocks at High Tide,” 54” x 36” Image courtesy of the artist and Booker-Lowe Gallery

SUMMER 2015 46 HGO.org Meet the new HGO Studio director and the seven young artists who will enter HGO’s premier training program NEW IN this season. They join returning singers Pureum Jo, D’Ana Lombard, Megan Samarin, and Sofia Selowsky, and pianist/coach Sahar Nouri. THE STUDIO

class, recognizable sound, instead of a very point considered going into politics because competent bland one. he enjoyed public speaking. But as a junior “My challenge is to help each of the in a performing arts high school, he had a Studio artists find his or her place within life-changing experience: he participated in a the opera industry without sacrificing their master class with tenor Lawrence Brownlee. individual artistry,” he sums up. He was the youngest student among the Says HGO Artistic and Music Director participants and in fact was the only high BRIAN SPECK Patrick Summers, “After a comprehensive school student among them. Afterwards, Director of HGO Studio search, what a unique joy to find that we had Brownlee sent a message to Chris’s teacher, an emerging talent like Brian already on our Sandra Schlub, that he had been the standout Brian Speck was officially named the director staff, earning his forward momentum with in the class. “Tell him to keep at it,” Brownlee of the HGO Studio on January 20 of this the strength of his own talents and by fully said. His words carried a lot of weight with year—just in time to take the helm of Concert embracing the experiences of learning the art Chris, who says, “Until that happened, I of Arias, the biggest artistic and social event form in the only way learning happens: little didn’t think I was anybody that special. of the Studio’s entire season. It was a baptism by little and day by day. I didn’t think being a singer was a viable by fire, but Brian was up for the challenge: “If “Brian possesses the rare set of skills career option, but that changed my mind.” you had asked me four or five years ago what I required by such a position: a knowledge and Chris—who comes to the HGO Studio would ultimately want, if I could just dream it passion for the singing voice, with an ability after winning second prize in the 2015 Eleanor up, it would have been this job,” he says. to hear beyond the present moment. He has McCollum Competition Concert of Arias— Trained in classical singing (Pepperdine the masterful organizational skills of a great says he is most excited about performing University and Rice University), he gravitated administrator, and an ability to seek advice in the world premiere of Floyd’s Prince of to the administrative side of opera after and consensus while holding fast to his own Players next season. HGO audiences will also recognizing that while he loved the rehearsal knowledge. He is positive and supportive, and hear him sing Drunkard/Lamplighter in The process of discovery and collaboration, he he is also something rarer these days, a kind Little Prince, Don Curzio in The Marriage didn’t have the burning desire to perform—a and polite professional, free of cynicism. I’m of Figaro, and Huntsman in Rusalka. quality that is generally required for surviving thrilled to be working with Brian and look the often-difficult early years of getting forward to his continued upward trajectory established in a career. His first contact with in an art form greatly in need of talented the company was through the HGO Chorus, administrators.” which he joined in 2005. He joined the staff Brian, along with the rest of the HGO during the 2012–13 season as artist liaison, family, welcomes the returning Studio artists was named company manager in his second and the following seven new ones, a truly season, and advanced to the position of his international group that is a metaphor for the dreams in his third season. universality of our art form. FEDERICO DE MICHELIS His voice training is a strong asset. “I bass-baritone understand what it feels like to try to create Beth Madison Fellow an operatic sound and what is involved in the mechanics of the vocalism. I spent a long Argentinian bass-baritone Federico De time myself studying with Stephen King, who Michelis’s route to the HGO Studio began teaches everyone in the Studio. And I also in Neumarkt, Germany, at the International understand what kind of pressure there is on Meistersinger Akademie. That’s where he met young artists,” he says. and had the opportunity to work with the “One thing that excites me about the HGO Studio’s director of vocal instruction, HGO Studio historically, compared to some CHRIS BOZEKA Dr. Stephen King, who encouraged him other training programs, is that decisions tenor to audition for HGO’s Eleanor McCollum about who enters the Studio are based on Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Milton D. Rosenau Jr. Competition Concert of Arias. “When I something unique about them, not just general Fellow went to the competition,” Federico explains, capability. We look for something that, even “I went there to sing. I didn’t understand at if it’s still rough cut, is deeply interesting and By kindergarten, Chris Bozeka of Akron, Ohio, first that it could lead to membership in the ultimately can be developed into a world- was already performing. At first he thought he Studio.” Federico won third prize, and says he might want to be a Broadway star, and at one is looking forward to becoming part of the big

47 NEW IN THE STUDIO family that is HGO. “Everyone has been so around them and be around wonderful generous and so kind,” he says. singers. It’s very important to be in this kind of He has firm opinions about what it takes environment,” he says. to be successful as a singer in today’s artistic Kirill started playing piano at age four, climate: “It’s not enough to enjoy it, study it, be and as far back as he can remember, he good at it,” he says. “You must have the need loved opera. In all his years of study, he says of doing it, so that you cannot go on if you no one has influenced him more than his cannot be on stage.” MANE GALOYAN teacher at the University of Michigan, the During the coming season, he is most soprano renowned—one could almost say revered— looking forward to his performances of Mr. and Mrs. Philip A. Bahr/Mr. and Martin Katz: “He completely changed my Angelotti in Tosca—“I like the role, and to Mrs. Charles G. Nickson Fellow musicianship, the way I listen to things. He is open an opera is exciting!” He will also be great at performing music, and a lot of people seen as Zaretsky in Eugene Onegin, the King Armenian soprano Mane Galoyan comes to who are good at performing aren’t able to in The Little Prince, Antonio in The Marriage the HGO Studio after winning first prize in teach, or don’t find teaching interesting.” of Figaro, and Thomas Betterton in the world HGO’s 2015 Eleanor McCollum Competition While Kirill has done a good deal of work premiere of Carlisle Floyd’s Prince of Players. Concert of Arias, and, just this summer, in solo performance, he has come to prefer the winning third place in the women’s voice collaborative process that opera offers. “My division of the prestigious International ultimate goal is to be around this wonderful art Tchaikovsky Competition. form as much as possible.” “My grandfather taught me to listen Next season, he is especially looking to classical and jazz music, and to feel the forward to coaching the Russian-language emotions of music. When I was nine years old, opera Eugene Onegin; he will also coach I went to music school as a pianist and singer,” The Marriage of Figaro and his first Wagner she says. When her teacher discovered her opera—Siegfried. BEN EDQUIST voice was well suited to opera, nothing could baritone have pleased her more: “I always wanted to be Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Terrell Tone Owen an opera singer.” Memorial Endowed Fund at the Community In 2013, when Mane participated in Foundation of Abilene Endowed Fellow the Sixth International Competition of Opera Singers in St. Petersburg, winning “I was the loudest child in our children’s choir second prize, she met HGO Director of at church,” says baritone Ben Edquist, a native Artistic Administration Diane Zola, a of Lake Jackson, Texas. The choir director member of the jury. Zola encouraged Mane GEOFFREY LOFF encouraged him to audition for community to audition for HGO’s Young Artists Vocal pianist/coach musical theater, and soon he was performing Academy. Her experience in YAVA led Lynn Guggolz/Ms. Marianne Kah Fellow regularly. But when it was time to consider her to audition for the HGO Studio, and college, he was doing so well academically that she regards her membership in the Studio “No one in my family is a musician—my he hesitated when his mother suggested that as the “first serious step of my career.” parents are borderline tone deaf,” Miami, he major in music: “I was thinking of studying HGO audiences can look forward to Florida, native Geoffrey Loff says with a law like my father,” he says. hearing her sing the Kitchen Girl in Rusalka, laugh. He began playing violin at age seven He compromised by double majoring Margaret Hughes in the world premiere of and the piano at age 10, when he visited his in music and math at Vanderbilt University, Carlisle Floyd’s Prince of Players, and Forest grandmother along with his brother and where he sang the leading role of Charlie Bird in Siegfried. cousins. After hearing her play from memory in Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers. Heggie the only piece she knew, “Für Elise,” Geoff recommended he apply to HGO’s Young astonished everyone by playing it by ear. Artists Vocal Academy (YAVA) and he was Something had clicked. “Playing the piano accepted; two years later he was a finalist in makes more sense to me than anything in the Concert of Arias. He also sang in the HGOco world,” he says. world premieres of Past the Checkpoints and He pursued piano study mostly on The Ninth November I Was Hiding. his own until a highly regarded professor This season, he is thrilled to sing the at University of Miami, Frank Cooper, leading role of Edward Kynaston in HGO’s KIRILL KUZMIN accepted him as a student. It was Cooper who world premiere of Carlisle Floyd’s Prince of pianist/coach encouraged a 15-year-old Geoff to apply to the Players, citing the “amazing array of emotions” Joan Hacken Bitar, M.D./Bill and University “just to see what happens”—with the Kynaston must portray. HGO audiences will Melinda Brunger Fellow result that Geoff began his college education also hear him in the HGOco world premiere at age 16 and earned bachelor’s and master’s of Gregory Spears and Royce Vavrek’s O Russian pianist/coach Kirill Kuzmin has had degrees at University of Miami. It was also Columbia, and as the Captain in Eugene the HGO Studio in his sights for quite some Cooper who set him on the collaborative piano Onegin, Sciarrone in Tosca, in performances time, ever since meeting HGO’s Richard Bado path by encouraging him to play for singers. of the Pilot in The Little Prince, and as Jigger and Diane Zola when he was a member of “I couldn’t be happier with my HGO Craigin in Carousel. the Bolshoi Young Artists Opera Program. assignments this season,” Geoff says. He’ll “They were so wonderful. I wanted to be stay busy coaching Siegfried, Tosca, and The

SUMMER 2015 48 HGO.org www.music.uh.edu/opera

Marriage of Figaro—and getting ready for a wedding. He and soprano Katie Kupchik plan to be married on February 27, 2016.

YONGZHAO YU tenor Albert and Anne Chao/Carolyn J. Levy Fellow Chinese tenor Yongzhao Yu had the great good fortune to be born into an operatic family in Beijing. He learned to sing almost as a matter of course and was oft en encouraged 2015–2016 SEASON to perform for friends. “Gradually,” Yongzhao 2015 Oct. 23–26 Manon says, “singing became part of my life. Every By Jules Massenet character in opera gives me diff erent feelings, 2016 Jan. 28–31 La Rondine and I like to be another version of myself in By Giacomo Puccini each character.” 2016 Jan. 29–Feb. 1 Così Fan Tutte Concert of Arias 2015 attendees will By W.A. Mozart remember that Yongzhao emerged as the winner of both the Audience Choice Award 2016 Apr. 8–11 Anna Karenina and the inaugural Ana María Martínez By David Carlson Encouragement Award. “It was truly memorable,” says Yongzhao. “Th e HGO Studio is one of the most famous young artist programs in the world. I have been looking at Join us to hear it for a long time, because Chen-Ye Yuan and Peixin Chen came from here, and they are baritone Liam Bonner both artists of the fi rst magnitude.” Joseph Li, piano During the 2015–16 season, Yongzhao in recital to benefit Houston District Met Auditions will appear with the Studio in various performances and will concentrate on English language skills. “Coming to HGO is a new beginning for me, and also brings me closer to my dream of being a real opera singer. I will cherish every chance to be onstage and every role I perform,” he says.

See pp. 50–51 for opportunities to hear the HGO MONC Studio artists in action. Houston

49 Houston Grand Opera Studio

t’s been a great summer for HGO’s conductor, and director of a new piece Studio artists, who have traveled the is a valuable experience that will serve Iworld to learn languages, study, and the artists well in today’s dynamic opera perform. From St. Petersburg, Berlin, industry. This season, Studio artists will Prague, and Madrid to New York, take on major roles in three projects Washington, Aspen, and San Francisco, commissioned by HGO: O Columbia, they’re making a big impact on the opera Prince of Players, and The Root of the world, and we couldn’t be more proud of Wind Is Water. Join us on September their accomplishments. 23 and 24 at the Revention (formerly Bayou) Music Center, when Pureum Jo, The 2015–16 HGO Studio members Ben Edquist, and Megan Samarin sing arrive in Houston on August 19, and leading roles in the world premiere of O we’ll hit the ground running to prepare Columbia. The new opera by composer our Studio Showcase. The program Greg Spears and librettist Royce Vavrek will be performed twice in the Cullen focuses on themes of exploration and Theater, on September 10 and 12 at 8 discovery, including a moving account of p.m. The entire HGO Studio will perform; the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster our Studio pianists will accompany the that had a profound effect on our friends singers in scenes from The Marriage of at NASA and the Houston community. Figaro, Carmen, Susannah, Ariodante, Scenes from Studio Hansel and Gretel, and more. The evening Each artist’s tenure in the HGO Studio Showcase 2014: will be hosted by HGO’s dramaturg, Paul is a time of tremendous growth and D’Ana Lombard, Pureum Jo, and Sofia Hopper. Season subscribers are invited exciting opportunities. As you enjoy their Selowsky in Così fan to attend for free, but you’ll need a ticket! performances this season, I hope you’ll tutte; pianist Sahar Please contact the Customer Care Center also learn about them and watch as their Nouri; Sofia Selowsky at 713-228-OPERA (6737) to reserve your careers blossom and grow. You can find and Megan Samarin in Cendrillon. seats. If you’re not a subscriber, we still out more about the Studio artists at hope you’ll attend—tickets are available HGO.org/studio. Don’t forget to join us Photos by Lynn Lane. on the HGO website for $15. for the Studio Showcase in September— there couldn’t be a better way to get to This year, several of our HGO Studio know our new artists! artists have a great opportunity to collaborate with the dynamic teams —Brian Speck behind world premiere operas. Working Director, HGO Studio directly with the composer, librettist,

SUMMER 2015 50 HGO.org HGO Studio Faculty & Staff

Brian Speck, Director Adam Noble, Movement Instructor The HGO Studio is grateful for the in- Carol Lynn Lay Fletcher Endowment Bradley Moore, Music Director Melissa Marse, Piano Instructor kind support of McGladrey, LLP. Fund Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Alkek Chair Christa Gaug, German Instructor The Young Artists Vocal Academy William Randolph Hearst Endowed Jeremy Johnson, Studio Enrica Vagliani Gray, (YAVA) is generously underwritten Scholarship Fund Administrator Italian Instructor by Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Wakefield Charlotte Howe Memorial and the HGO Guild. Additional Scholarship Fund Carlisle Floyd, Artistic Advisor Sponsored by Marsha L. Montemayor Jonathan Ludwig, support for YAVA is provided by Elva Lobit Opera Endowment Fund Stephen King, Russian Instructor Mr. Patrick Carfizzi, Dr. David and Marian and Speros Martel Mrs. Norine Gill, and Gwyneth Foundation Endowment Fund Director of Vocal Instruction Julie Muller, English Instructor Campbell. Erin Gregory Neale Endowment The Evans Family/Jill and Allyn Risley Nicole Uhlig, French Instructor Hotel accommodations for YAVA Fund Chair Sponsored by Jennifer Sickler Patrick Summers, generously provided by the Shell Lubricants (formerly Pennzoil- Gregory Keller, Showcase Director Quaker State Company) Fund Conducting Instructor and Coach Lancaster Hotel. Edward Berkeley, Mary C. Gayler Snook Endowment Margaret Alkek Williams Chair United Airlines is the official airline of Guest Acting Instructor Houston Grand Opera and Concert Fund Patrick Harvey, Resident Coach James J. Drach Endowed Chair of Arias. Tenneco, Inc. Endowment Fund Mr. and Mrs. James A. Elkins Endowed Pierre Vallet, Guest Coach Chair Evans Family Endowed Chair Additional support for Houston Grand Peter Pasztor, Resident Coach Gerardo Felisatti, Guest Coach Opera Studio is provided by the Emily Senturia, Resident Coach Laura Lee Blanton Studio Award following funds within the Houston Christopher Turbessi, through the Scurlock Foundation Grand Opera Endowment, Inc.: Resident Coach The Gordon and Mary Cain Larry Rachleff, Foundation Endowment Fund Conducting Instructor Thomas Capshaw Endowment Fund Tara Faircloth, Drama Coach

HGO Studio Artists 2015–16

Chris Bozeka, tenor Pureum Jo, soprano Sahar Nouri, pianist/coach Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matulevich and Ms. Audrey Jones Beck Endowed Fund/John Milton D. Rosenau Jr. Fellow Sasha Davis/Nancy and M. O’Quinn Foundation Endowed Fund Ted Haywood Fellow Fellow Federico De Michelis, bass-baritone Beth Madison Fellow Kirill Kuzmin, pianist/coach Megan Samarin, mezzo-soprano Joan Hacken Bitar, M.D./ Michelle Beale and Ben Edquist, baritone Bill and Melinda Brunger Fellow Dick Anderson Fellow Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Terrell Tone Owen Memorial Endowed Fund at Geoffrey Loff, pianist/coach Sofia Selowsky, mezzo-soprano the Community Foundation of Abilene Lynn Guggolz/Ms. Marianne Kah Fellow Mr. and Mrs. James W. Crownover Fellow Endowed Fellow D’Ana Lombard, soprano Yongzhao Yu, tenor Mane Galoyan, soprano Lynne Murray Sr. Educational Foundation Albert and Anne Chao/ Mr. and Mrs. Philip A. Bahr/ Fellow Carolyn J. Levy Fellow Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Nickson Fellow

THE SAVE DATES Don’t miss these rapidly SEPT. 10 & 12 SEPT. 23 & 24 NOV. 12 & 15 approaching opportunities STUDIO SHOWCASE O COLUMBIA RECITALS AT RIENZI to hear HGO Studio artists! Enjoy a fully staged program of HGO Studio artists sing leading Artists of the HGO Studio Purchase tickets to the events opera scenes in the Wortham roles in the world premiere of perform in the intimate and listed here by calling Customer Center’s Cullen Theater, 8 p.m. a new work by Gregory Spears elegant salon at Rienzi, the Care at 713-228-OPERA (6737) Free to subscribers but must be and Royce Vavrek. Revention decorative arts wing of MFAH, or online at HGO.org, unless reserved through the Customer (formerly Bayou) Music Center, at 1406 Kirby Drive. otherwise noted. Care Center. Mezzanine tickets across Texas Ave. from the Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. are available to non-subscribers Wortham Theater Center, 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. for $15. Tickets $20. More information and tickets at HGO.org/Columbia. HGOco COMPANY, COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION

HGOco is HGO’s broad initiative for connecting the company with the community in which we live. Among HGOco’s many projects, the touring group Opera to Go! performs family-friendly works in schools, churches, and community venues. Each year, HGOco also offers student performances (for school groups only) of a popular opera.

HSVS scholarship A ROUND OF APPLAUSE winners Tyler Resto, Emily Wolf, HGO congratulates The first-place winner, Throughout the and Cullen King the High School baritone Tyler Resto, season, the high Voice Studio Class will attend University school seniors chosen of 2014–15! At their of Cincinnati College– for membership in final event of the Conservatory of Music; HSVS attended HGO season last May, an second-place winner dress rehearsals, adjudicated graduation Emily Wolf, a soprano, participated in recital, three talented will attend Baylor; and master classes with members were the third-place winner, main-stage artists, awarded scholarships tenor Cullen King, will and received regular to support musical attend University of voice lessons. study at their Texas–Austin. respective universities.

OPERA TO GO, GO, GO! three free performances overbearing prima donna at Miller Outdoor Theatre: ruin everything or is she Opera to Go! bounds into September 23–25 at 11 simply misunderstood? the 2015–16 season with a.m. daily. Free public performances a revival of The Velveteen will be held January Rabbit. Adapted from Opera to Go! is also 28–30, 2016, at the Heinen the beloved book by thrilled to present HGO’s Theater on the central Margery Williams, this 58th world premiere this campus of Houston 45-minute opera by Mary winter with The Puffed-Up Community College. The Carol Warwick and Kate Prima Donna by Mark Puffed-Up Prima Donna Pogue tells the story of the Buller and Charles will tour from January 25 enduring bond between Anthony Silvestri. This MUSICAL CHOICES FOR CHILDREN through May 20, 2016. a child and his favorite tongue-in-cheek comedy In an effort to reach the youngest toy. The Velveteen Rabbit features a fictitious troupe To book Opera to Go! audiences, HGOco offers First Songs tours to area schools of opera performers performances, please call and Storybook Opera, designed to and community centers struggling with artistic 713-546-0231 or visit foster engagement and literacy for from September 14 differences as they HGO.org/operatogo. newborns through grade 2, along with through December 18. prepare to celebrate their parents and caregivers. First Highlighting the tour are a wedding. Will the Songs nurtures the bond between caregivers and young ones (newborn through early Pre-K) with music Children at Our Lady of during reading time. A teaching artist Mt. Carmel Catholic School helps participants learn fun songs enjoy a performance by Opera to Go! and activities to accompany reading activities, perfect for community Right: HGOco brought First Songs to Discovery Green groups, parent clubs, and libraries. For during Spring Break. slightly older students (Grades Pre-K Photos by Lynn Lane. through 2), Storybook Opera presents an engaging introduction to opera with singing storytellers. This program features over 10 delightful tales such as Opera Cat and Westward Ho, Carlotta!, including bilingual options. For more information and to order please visit HGO.org/firstsongs or HGO.org/storybook.

SUMMER 2015 52 HGO.org THE HALLS WERE ABUZZ WITH THE SOUND OF CAMPERS

For three weeks this summer the steps involved in creating music of Rossini. The camp HGOco hosted over 70 an opera from start to finish. culminated in a fully staged Opera campers created their own opera from students from all over the Guided by HGO teaching performance at Houston’s the story The Day the Houston area for our annual artists, the campers wrote historic Heinen Theater. Crayons Quit. Opera Camps. Students in a libretto, composed all Registration for 2016 Opera Photo by Lynn Lane. grades 4–12 joined us at the the music, and designed Camps will open in February. Wortham Theater Center to and created sets, puppets, learn, create, and perform as and props. At the end of part of three different camp the week they performed experiences. an original opera based on the picture book The Day Opera Experience (grades the Crayons Quit by Drew 4–9) offered campers the Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers, a opportunity to gain a better clever tale in which crayons understanding of vocal learn that collaboration technique, sight singing, and is the key to success. music theory. By the end of the week participants learned The final camp of the and performed songs from summer, Art of Opera, opera and musical theater, welcomed teens in grades including “Edelweiss” from 7–12. Over the course of this The Sound of Music and intensive two-week camp, “Getting to Know You” from campers learned music, The King and I. staging, and choreography for The Tinker of Tivoli, a In Create an Opera, campers short opera based on the entering grades 3–6 learned

HGOco Funders

GUARANTORS Ruth and Ted Bauer Hess Corporation The Brown Foundation, Inc. Family Foundation Kinder Morgan Foundation THE NEXUS INITIATIVE City of Houston through the Cameron Robert R. Sr. and Pearl Wallis Knox Miller Advisory Board The Cockrell Family Fund Charitable Foundation HGOco programs, including ConocoPhillips ExxonMobil Dr. Helen W. Lane Student Performances and HGO’s Kinder Foundation Halliburton Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation performances at Miller Outdoor The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation H-E-B LyondellBasell Theatre, are supported through the Bill and Sara Morgan Houston Grand Opera Guild Marsha L. Montemayor NEXUS Initiative, which is made Franci Neely Marathon Oil Corporation The Powell Foundation possible by: Occidental Petroleum Corporation Phillips 66 Mr. and Mrs. Irving Pozmantier Lead Supporters Mr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Petrello Wells Fargo Dr. and Mrs. Michael Rasmussen Mr. and Mrs. David Rose Anchorage Foundation Shell Oil Company SUPPORTERS Sharon Ruhly The Brown Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Abraham GRAND UNDERWRITERS The Schissler Foundation The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Anchorage Foundation of Texas Ms. Adrienne Bond Strake Foundation Nabors Industries Bank of America Donna and Robert Bruni Dr. Roger F. Trandell Shell Oil Company Mr. and Mrs. Albert Chao Burlington Northern Santa Fe Will E. and Natoma Pyle Harvey BBVA Compass Houston Livestock Show and Foundation Charitable Trust MD Anderson Cancer Center Rodeo Lawrence E. Carlton, M.D. 1 Anonymous M.D. Anderson Foundation Lynne Murray Sr. Educational Endowment Fund The activities of Houston Grand Foundation CenterPoint Energy Opera are supported in part by James J. Drach Endowment Fund funds provided by the City of UNDERWRITERS George and Mary Josephine Judy and Richard Agee Houston and by a grant from the Hamman Foundation Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Texas Commission on the Arts. Ms. Brenda Harvey-Traylor Andrews Kurth LLP Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation

53 Institutional Spotlight

OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION Marcia Backus HGO is thrilled to welcome Occidental educators each season. From Opera Petroleum Corporation as a new to Go!, HGO’s touring troupe that corporate supporter. performs 45-minute operas at schools Occidental is an international oil and and libraries, to The Veterans Songbook, gas exploration and production company a multi-year collection of songs based with operations in the United States, on the stories and experiences of the Middle East, and Latin America. Houston-area veterans, Occidental’s Headquartered in Houston, Occidental support helps HGO share opera with is one of the leading U.S. oil and gas Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds. companies, based on equity market Marcia Backus, senior vice president capitalization, with more than 40,000 and general counsel at Occidental, employees and contractors worldwide. represents the company as a member Occidental is committed to respecting of the HGO Board of Directors. the environment, operating safely, and Marcia is ranked among the leading upholding high standards of social business lawyers in oil and gas and responsibility throughout the company’s energy by both Chambers USA and worldwide operations. Chambers Global. A member of the Occidental is proud to be a HGO family since 1998, she is also a leadership supporter of HGOco, the trustee of The University of Texas Law Opera’s community collaboration School Foundation and a co-founder initiative that brings performances to of the Center for Women in Law. over 100,000 students, families, and Donor Spotlight

ANDREA AND JAMES MAHER Andrea and James Maher are longtime and civil work. Andrea holds degrees members of the HGO family. The couple from Universidad de los Andes and began attending performances in the Purdue University. 2004–05 season and have been active as James is the president of Trendsetter HGO Patrons since 2010. Vulcan Offshore, Inc., which specializes Andrea’s passion for opera began in finding innovative solutions for the at the age of nine, when her father took floating systems, risers, and equipment her to see a production of Mascagni’s for the floating drilling and production Cavalleria rusticana and Leoncavallo’s industry. He has founded several Pagliacci. For Andrea and her father, deepwater technology companies and has National Trustee Jorge Bernal, attending been involved in the development and the opera is a family affair, with Jorge commercialization of many technologies, sometimes flying in from Bogotá to attend including spar technology. James holds performances with Andrea. James and degrees from the University of Notre Andrea’s daughter, Lorena, is also an Dame and Purdue University. opera lover—her first opera was HGO’s The couple has two children, 2010 performance of Madame Butterfly. Lorena and Jimmy. Andrea is an active Andrea is a civil engineer for philanthropist, volunteering with Civilia S.A., a company based in Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart Bogotá, Colombia, that specializes in and The Regis School. concrete construction for residential and commercial work, institutional facilities,

SUMMER 2015 54 HGO.org Board Member Spotlight

ZANE CARSON CARRUTH Houston Grand Opera is delighted that a client focus on retail and insurance- Zane Carson Carruth has joined the related businesses. HGO Board of Directors—a vital force Brady is the chief executive offi cer for our company. HGO’s board members and president of the Saratoga Financial bring their passion for opera and strong Group, serves as the chairman of leadership skills to ensure our company’s the board of Aggredyne, Inc., sits continued artistic success. on the Executive Committee of the Zane and her husband Brady have Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo been attending HGO performances and (HLS&R), and serves as the president events for many years, and the two have a of the Wortham Foundation. great passion for opera and philanthropy. In addition to HGO, Brady and Zane is the founder and president Zane are involved with the Museum of of Carson Marketing, a Houston-based Fine Arts, HLS&R, and Buff alo Bayou marketing company that provides Partnership. Zane serves on the board integrated marketing solutions for of directors for the Houston SPCA and businesses. Zane has over 25 years of the Discovery Green Conservancy. marketing experience and has successfully launched several startup businesses, with

55 Terrylin G. Neale and Glen A. Rosenbaum

60TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AND GALA On March 19, Houston Grand Opera celebrated its 60th season with a gala anniversary concert in the Cullen Theater featuring international opera star Joyce DiDonato. An intimate black-tie dinner followed onstage in the Brown Theater, chaired by longtime HGO supporter Terrylin Neale. With elegant décor by The Events Company and a sumptuous meal by Jackson and Company, the event raised over $600,000 for the HGO Endowment. 60th Anniversary Dinner Decor on the Brown Theater Stage

Megan Samarin, Sofia Selowsky, Joyce DiDonato, D’Ana Lombard, and Pureum Jo Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniel Priscilla Dickson and Wilson Parish Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Wilson

Joyce DiDonato and Dick Evans Ken Hyde, Gary Hollingsworth, and Merle Bratlie

SUMMER 2015 56 HGO.org Lynn Wyatt and the Right Hon. Countess of Carnarvon Kevin Black, Christina Stith, and Tony Bradfield

Tony and Cynthia Petrello Ken Barrow, Janice Barrow, Joyce DiDonato, Barbara McCelvey, and Pat McCelvey

Anne and John Mendelsohn Harlan Stai, Dian Stai, Alex Odell, and Gonzalo Alonzo

Alex and Astley Blair with Catherine Martin Beth Madison with Danny and Isabel David

57 EL PASADO CAST PARTY After HGO’s opening performance of the mariachi opera El Pasado Nunca Se Termina, patrons gathered in the Founders Salon of the Wortham Theater Center to celebrate composer José “Pepe” Martínez and librettist/ director Leonard Foglia along with cast and crew. Members of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán mingled with guests as they enjoyed Mexican-themed food and specialty tequila drinks. Rick and Laura Jaramillo Leonard Foglia, Perryn Leech, and José Martínez Jr. congratulate José “Pepe” Martínez Photos by Wilson Parish Photos by Wilson

Lynn Guggolz and Birgitt van Wijk with members of Mariachi Dorion and Hong Ogle Marcia and Alfredo Vilas with Vanessa Alonzo Vargas De Tecalitlán

Kristine and Chris Williams Irene Bourke and Joseph Waiter Cast of Sweeney Todd with conductor James Lowe and Patrick Summers

SWEENEY TODD CAST PARTY Chris and Kristine Williams hosted HGO patrons at a late-night reception in their beautiful Tanglewood home following the opening performance of Sweeney Todd. The cast and creative team were introduced to great applause by Patrick Summers, HGO’s artistic Megan Samarin, Michelle Beale, and Dick Anderson Jake Gardner and Vanessa Uzan with Nathan Gunn

Photos by Jacob Power and music director.

SUMMER 2015 58 HGO.org PATRONS CIRCLE RECITAL This year’s Patrons Circle Recital, hosted by Jackson and Company and Geo. H. Lewis & Sons at The Corinthian, featured a performance by baritone Nathan Gunn. In town for his title role in Sweeney Todd, he charmed the crowd with a collection of his favorite songs accompanied by his wife, pianist Julie Jordan Gunn.

Julie Jordan Gunn and Nathan Gunn Franci Neely and Nicholas Phan Anna and Joel Catalano Photos by Wilson Parish Photos by Wilson

Milton Townsend and Jackson Hicks Kathleen and James Jennings Nathan Gunn and Julie Jordan Gunn with Cynthia and John Onstott

OPERA TO GO! VISITS BROOKWOOD The citizens of Brookwood Community were treated to a special performance when HGOco’s Opera to Go! program made its annual visit on May 22. Made possible by the Guyla Pircher Harris Project, the performance of The Pastry Prince delighted all who attended and included a photo session with the cast after the show. Photos by Wilson Parish

59 Laureate Society

Laurel Flores, Hannah Thibodeaux, and Ashley Wyatt

Darrin Davis and Mario Gudmundsson Hanh Tran and Mary Grace Rogers ENCORE AFTER PARTY KICKOFF On March 2, HGO Young Professionals gathered at the Burberry boutique in the LET THERE BE OPERA, Houston Galleria to kick off the Encore Opera Ball After ALWAYS Party and shop the latest collection. Encore Party Chairman Brian McCulloch hosted the event, with a Join the Laureate Society! percentage of proceeds from the evening benefiting By including HGO in your will or as a beneficiary Houston Grand Opera. of your retirement plan or insurance policy, you Brian McCulloch and Ting Bresnahan become a partner with HGO in perpetuating the art form we love, sustaining its vibrant good health for future generations. As a member of the Laureate Society, your legacy gift helps ensure opera forever in Houston.

For more information, please contact Parish Photos by Wilson Richard Buffett at 713.546.0216 or [email protected]. Also visit HGO.org/LaureateSociety.

Jim Lindsay and Dina McMearn Rachel and Warren Ellsworth

SUMMER 2015 60 HGO.org DIE WALKÜRE CAST PARTY To celebrate the opening of Die Walküre, the second installment of HGO’s four-season Ring cycle, lead sponsors John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer pulled out all the stops for a celebration at the newly opened JW Marriott Houston Downtown. Guests dined Kelly Kaduce and Iain Paterson on a German-themed buffet and enjoyed polka music provided by Das Ist Lustig.

Christine Goerke, Jerry G. Fischer, John G. Turner, and Patrick Summers

Valina from Das Ist Lustig

Carol Horany, Monzer Hourani, and Perryn Leech Robert Turner, Frances Marzio, and Peter Speliopolis Jack Roth, Elizabeth Grimm, and Liz Travis Photos by Jacob Power

61 The Impresarios Circle is Houston Grand Opera’s premier donor recognition society. These vanguard supporters who provide annual support of at least $100,000 are instrumental to HGO’s success. For information, please contact Greg Robertson, chief advancement officer, at 713-546-0274.

Robin Angly, Chairman

JUDY AND RICHARD AGEE BBVA COMPASS HGO subscribers since 2000–01, Judy and Dick HGO is privileged to partner with BBVA are ardent believers in the power of storytelling Compass, a U.S. subsidiary of BBVA, a Spain- through words and music. They partnered with based global financial services group founded in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Inner- 1857. BBVA Compass, committed to financial City Catholic Schools to bring HGOco programs education, diversity, and the arts, is a lead to economically disadvantaged students. Judy and corporate sponsor of HGO’s Ring cycle and Dick, the founder and chairman of Wapiti Energy LLC and Bayou Well also supports the NEXUS Initiative, HGO’s Holdings Company LLC, are members of HGO’s Founders Council. affordability program. David Powell, BBVA Compass’s co-head of the Beyond their generous support of general operations and HGOco, they U.S. corporate and investment banking business and head of global also support Concert of Arias and HGO’s main-stage productions, clients and investment banking, serves on the HGO Board of Directors. including last season’s Otello and Madame Butterfly. PAT AND DANIEL BREEN ROBIN ANGLY AND MILES SMITH Pat and Dan realize the importance of supporting HGO subscribers Robin and Miles joined HGO’s main-stage work, having sponsored many the Founders Council in 2010. The company of the company’s most cherished productions is honored to have Robin on the HGO over the past two decades. They have generously Board of Directors, and as a member provided leadership support to HGO’s Inspiring of HGO’s Laureate Society. The couple Performance campaign. Pat is one of the most is very familiar with the view from the dedicated members of the HGO Board of Directors, having first joined HGO stage as well—both are former singers in the HGO Chorus. in 1987, and currently serves on the Special Events and Governance Robin and Miles have been donors to HGO special events and Committees. Dan is owner of the investment firm Breen Investments LP. the Young Artists Vocal Academy, and HGO’s Ring cycle. THE BROWN FOUNDATION, INC. DENISE AND PHILIP BAHR The Brown Foundation, Inc., established in 1951 by Herman and Denise and Philip have supported the Opera Margarett Root Brown and George R. and Alice Pratt Brown, has since 1996, underwriting special events and been a treasured partner of HGO since 1984. Based in Houston, the main-stage productions. They have a special love Foundation distributes funds principally for education, community for the HGO Studio, where opera’s rising stars service, and the arts, especially the visual and performing arts. HGO is have benefited from their support since 2000. tremendously grateful for The Brown Foundation’s leadership support, Denise, currently an HGO trustee, is a former which has been critical to the company’s unprecedented growth and member of the HGO Board of Directors, and the Opera has been success in recent years. privileged to have Philip’s participation on the board since 1998. The Opera was honored to have the couple chair the 2010 Opera Ball. ANNE AND ALBERT CHAO Anne and Albert have been subscribers and JANICE BARROW supporters of HGO for the past two decades. Jan’s relationship with HGO extends back While serving as president and CEO of Westlake to the early 1980s, when she and her late Chemical Corporation, Albert finds time for husband, Dr. Thomas Barrow, first became numerous cultural causes. He is a member of the subscribers. Jan is a member of HGO’s HGO Board of Directors and was the co-chair Laureate Society and the Founders Council, of Inspiring Performance—The Campaign for Houston Grand Opera. contributing to HGO’s main stage and special Over the years, the Chaos have sponsored HGO special events, the events. She is also supports the HGO Studio, having underwritten HGO Studio, HGOco’s Song of Houston, and main-stage productions. several rising opera stars over the past 20 years. Jan’s late husband, The couple has also supported the HGO Endowment through their Tom, former chairman of the HGO Board of Directors, was family foundation, the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation. instrumental in the concept and construction of the Wortham Center. A lifelong lover of music, Jan is past president of the Houston Symphony and has a special affinity for Puccini and Wagner.

SUMMER 2015 62 HGO.org CONOCOPHILLIPS HOUSTON GRAND OPERA ENDOWMENT, INC. For over thirty years, ConocoPhillips has Established and incorporated in 1982, the Houston Grand Opera supported various programs at HGO, from Endowment (HGOE) is a vital financial management tool that special events to main-stage productions, ensures HGO has a reliable, regular source of income. Today, the including the 2015–16 season-opening Endowment contains over 50 named funds, both unrestricted and production, Puccini’s Tosca. In 2009, the restricted, and annually distributes 5 percent of the Endowment’s company gave a major multiyear grant to average market value to HGO, making it the largest single annual establish ConocoPhillips New Initiatives, a funder of the Opera. HGOE leadership includes Chairman far-reaching program that allows HGOco to Janet L. Carrig, Senior Chairman Terrylin Neale, and several develop new and innovative education and community collaboration members of the HGO Board of Directors. This season, HGO is programs. Janet L. Carrig, ConocoPhillips’s senior vice president, legal, thrilled to have HGOE as the premier guarantor of Siegfried. general counsel, and corporate secretary, serves on the HGO Board of Directors and also as chairman of the HGO Endowment Board. HOUSTON METHODIST This year, Houston Grand Opera celebrates 10 BOBBIE-VEE AND GERALD COONEY seasons of partnering with Houston Methodist, Bobbie-Vee and Jerry have been HGO the official health care provider for HGO, and subscribers since 1979, and have generously the Center for Performing Arts (CPAM). The supported HGO productions of the most only center of its kind in the country, CPAM comprises a specialized beloved classics of the Italian repertory, group of more than 100 physicians working collaboratively to address including Aida, La bohème, Tosca, and Madame the specific demands placed on performing artists. In addition to Butterfly. The Cooneys also supported HGO’s the first-rate medical care CPAM provides HGO artists, Houston innovative commission Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (2010, 2013), the Methodist also generously supports HGO special events and main-stage world’s first mariachi opera. They have been active supporters of all productions such as Aida (2013–14), The Magic Flute (2014–15), and HGO special events for many years, from the Opening Night Dinner, this season’s The Marriage of Figaro. HGO is fortunate to have Dr. C. which Bobbie-Vee chaired in 2004, to Concert of Arias, which the Richard Stasney, founder of CPAM, and Dr. Mauro Ferrari, president couple chaired together in 2014. HGO is honored to have Bobbie-Vee and CEO, Houston Methodist Research Institute, serve as Houston serve on the board of directors. Methodist’s corporate trustees.

THE CULLEN FOUNDATION THE HUMPHREYS FOUNDATION For more than three decades, The Cullen Foundation has been a vital Based in Liberty, Texas, the Humphreys Foundation has been member of the HGO family. Established in 1947, the Foundation has a major underwriter of HGO’s main-stage season since 1980. more than a half-century history of giving generously to education, Geraldine Davis Humphreys (d. 1961), a member of the pioneer health care, and the arts in Texas, primarily in the Greater Houston area. Hardin family of Liberty, Texas, bequeathed her estate to the The Opera is very grateful for the Foundation’s longstanding leadership Humphreys Foundation, which was formally established in 1959. support of HGO’s main-stage season. The Foundation provides support for performing arts in Texas and college scholarship funding for students in the arts. Linda Bertman, THE CULLEN TRUST FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Louis Paine, and Robert Wall serve as trustees of the Humphreys The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts has been a lead underwriter of Foundation. In recent years, the Foundation’s generous support HGO’s main-stage season for nearly 30 years. The Trust was established has helped make possible unforgettable main-stage productions from assets of The Cullen Foundation to specifically benefit Texas such as last season’s Così fan tutte and 2014’s Rigoletto. performing arts institutions, particularly those within the Greater Houston area. In recent years, The Cullen Trust has provided lead NANCY AND RICHARD KINDER support for memorable productions of Carmen, A Christmas Carol, and Nancy and Rich became HGO subscribers the 2015–16 production of The Little Prince. during the 2000–01 season. Rich is co-founder, chairman, and CEO of MARIANNE AND DAVID DUTHU Kinder Morgan, and Nancy is a focused Marianne and David have been HGO philanthropist whose work has positively subscribers since 1991 and members of the impacted communities throughout Founders Council for Artistic Excellence Houston and beyond. Rich and Nancy established the Kinder since 2009, and David is a member of the Foundation in 1997 to provide impactful gifts to projects dedicated HGO Board of Directors. The couple chaired to urban green space, education, and quality-of-life issues in the Concert of Arias in 2011, an event they have Greater Houston area. HGO is indebted to the Kinders for their generously supported for many years, and were the event’s honorees visionary support in areas including general operations, main-stage in 2013. David, an engineer, is the founder of Texas Energy Engineers, productions, special events, and especially HGOco, the Opera’s Inc./CCRD Partners Consulting Engineers. Marianne is retired from innovative education and community collaboration initiative. Vopak North America, a chemical storage company. When not working or attending opera, they love to collect art and to restore rare vehicles.

63 THE RICHARD LYDECKER ANDREW W. THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION Richard Lydecker has been an HGO subscriber MELLON HGO is honored to partner with Th e Andrew and supporter for more than three decades. He FOUNDATION W. Mellon Foundation, based in New York is a member of the HGO Board of Directors City. Th e Mellon Foundation’s opera program and Founders Council for Artistic Excellence. supports a small number of companies demonstrating a longstanding Richard has great passion for opera, especially commitment to artistic innovation by developing and presenting Wagner, and is an underwriter for HGO’s Ring ambitious new works or those rarely heard. Upcoming Mellon cycle. He is also a special events sponsor, supporting Opera Ball and Foundation–supported projects include the world premiere of Prince Concert of Arias. of Players by legendary American composer Carlisle Floyd, as well as HGOco’s Song of Houston initiative. BETH MADISON Th is season marks Beth’s 21st as an HGO MILLER THEATRE ADVISORY BOARD subscriber. HGO has had the honor of her Th e Miller Th eatre Advisory Board (MTAB), support since 2004. Past chair of the HGO appointed by Houston’s mayor and confi rmed by Board of Directors, she currently serves on the City Council, acts as a steward of public and the Executive, Finance, and HGO Studio private funds to provide professional-caliber Committees, and is an active member of HGO’s performances free to the public at the Miller Founders Council. Beth generously supports the HGO Studio, special Outdoor Th eatre for the cultural enrichment of events and, last season, Die Walküre. Beth has been inducted into the Houston’s diverse communities and visitors to Greater Houston Women’s Hall of Fame and serves on the University of the city. HGO’s partnership with MTAB extends Houston System Board of Regents. back nearly six decades, making great opera accessible to thousands of Houstonians each JANICE AND ROBERT MCNAIR year through live main-stage and Opera to Go! Janice and Bob McNair, longtime HGO performances at Miller Th eatre. June Deadrick (left ) is an HGO trustee subscribers, are well known for their incredible representing the Miller Th eatre Advisory Board philanthropy and for bringing the NFL back to Houston. Bob is chairman and CEO of Th e BRUCIE AND ANDREW MOORE McNair Group, a fi nancial and real estate fi rm, Brucie and Andy have been a treasured part and owner of the Houston Texans. Th e Robert of the Opera family for more than 20 years. and Janice McNair Foundation provides leadership support to Houston- Subscribers since the 1998–99 season, Brucie area organizations supporting educational opportunities for youth. and Andy are members of HGO’s Founders Th e McNair Foundation is the lead supporter of HGO’s Holiday Opera Council for Artistic Excellence. Brucie has Series. Bob is a former chair of the HGO Board of Directors (1995–97). served on the HGO Board of Directors since 2013. She is also a lifetime member of the board of governors of M.D. ANDERSON FOUNDATION Leadership Corpus Christi, a board member of the Corpus Christi Th e M.D. Anderson Foundation has provided general operating Symphony Orchestra, principal underwriter for the Corpus Christi Area support to HGO for more than 30 years. Th e Foundation was Youth Orchestra, and board president of Harbor Playhouse. Andy was established in 1936 by Monroe Dunaway Anderson, whose company, the 2012 winner of HGO’s Singing with the Houston Idols and regularly Anderson, Clayton and Co., was the world’s largest cotton merchant. performs in musical theater productions. While the Foundation started the Texas Medical Center and was instrumental in bringing to it one of the premier cancer centers SARA AND BILL MORGAN in the world, the Foundation’s trustees also looked to improve the Sara and Bill have been supporting HGO since wellness of communities through the arts. HGO is privileged to have 2002. Sara is a co-founder of the Houston such a longstanding and committed partner as the M.D. Anderson Center for Contemporary Craft , where Foundation in enhancing the quality of life for all Houstonians. she currently serves on the board. Bill is a co-founder of the Kinder Morgan companies MEDISTAR and the retired vice chairman and president Medistar is a full-service real estate development of Kinder Morgan, Inc., and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP. Th e company that specializes in the design, Morgans support HGO’s special events and main-stage productions, development, fi nancing, and construction of including HGO’s new holiday opera series, with It’s a Wonderful Life in hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, cancer the 2016–17 season. HGO is thrilled to have Sara serve on its board of centers, integrated medical plazas, medical directors, and as a member and past chair of the HGOco Committee. offi ce buildings, and other medical facilities for the health care industry. Th e company is led by founder Monzer Hourani, an internationally renowned engineer whose innovations of many building techniques and concepts have had a great impact on the U.S. construction industry. Medistar joined the HGO family as a Grand Guarantor of Wagner’s Ring cycle (2014–17).

SUMMER 2015 64 HGO.org FRANCI NEELY artists and they host annual recitals featuring HGO Studio artists Franci is among the opera’s strongest friends and at Mansefeldt, their renowned Fredericksburg ranch. HGO advocates, having been a subscriber since the was privileged to recognize Dian and Harlan as the honorees 1983–84 season and one of the first members of Opening Night 2008 and the 2014 Concert of Arias. of the Founders Council for Artistic Excellence. Franci is a member of the HGO Board of JOHN G. TURNER & JERRY G. FISCHER Directors, and serves on the Special Events and John and Jerry, based in Baton Rouge, Governance Committees. She was the inaugural chair of the HGOco Louisiana, travel around the world to Committee and generously supports HGOco initiatives as a guarantor. experience the best that opera has to offer. HGO subscribers and donors for over a decade, the OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION couple’s leadership support of Wagner’s Ring HGO is privileged to count Occidental cycle (2014–17) was the largest gift ever made to Petroleum Corporation (Oxy) among its HGO for a single production. John, a shareholder at Turner Industries newest corporate supporters. Oxy is an Group, is a member of the HGO Board of Directors and is also chair of international oil and gas exploration and the HGO Studio Committee. Jerry is a board member of Baton Rouge production company with operations in the Symphony Orchestra. In recent years John and Jerry have supported United States, Middle East, and Latin America. HGO main-stage productions and special events. They are members of HGO is grateful for Oxy’s leadership support the Founders Council for Artistic Excellence, and John is a member of of HGOco, the Opera’s innovative education HGO’s Laureate Society. and community collaboration initiative that brings performances to over 100,000 students, families, and teachers each season. HGO is thrilled to have Marcia VINSON & ELKINS LLP Backus, a long-term HGO supporter and senior vice president and HGO has been privileged to have the support general counsel at Oxy, serve on the HGO Board of Directors. of international law firm Vinson & Elkins for nearly three decades. V&E is deeply committed CYNTHIA AND ANTHONY PETRELLO to empowering the communities in which it Cynthia and Tony are deeply committed to serves. It has enriched the cultural vibrancy of improving the lives of Houstonians through Houston by supporting HGO through in-kind their support of health care and the arts. Tony is legal services and contributions to special events and main-stage the chief executive officer of Nabors Industries, productions, including this season’s Rusalka. The Opera is honored to the world’s largest land-based drilling have two V&E partners serve on its board of directors: from left, Mark contractor. Cynthia, a community leader, R. Spradling and Glen A. Rosenbaum. currently serves on the HGO Board of Directors and Special Events Committee, and chairs the HGOco Committee. HGO is grateful for MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS the Petrellos’ support of HGOco and the main stage, underwriting this Margaret, a longtime singer, possesses a deep season’s Prince of Players. The Petrellos also support HGOco programs affinity for all music, and especially opera, for children, including the Student Performance Series and Opera to Go! supporting HGO for over 30 years. Currently, Margaret continues her parents’ legacy as SCHLUMBERGER chairman of their foundation, where her Schlumberger, Ltd., is a leading corporate son Charles A. Williams serves as president. contributor to HGO, supporting the main HGO is humbled by Margaret’s incredible generosity and dedication stage and a wide range of special projects over to the company, both as an individual donor and through her family’s nearly 20 years. Schlumberger’s leadership foundation. She has endowed the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair, held gift was integral to launching HGO’s ongoing by HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers, and is a member affordability program, the NEXUS Initiative, in of HGO’s Laureate Society. A valued member of the HGO Board 2007—since then, NEXUS has made great opera of Directors, Margaret was the honoree of the 2009 Opera Ball and accessible to more than 200,000 people. HGO chairman of the 2014 Ball. is honored to count Schlumberger among its most dedicated corporate supporters. Dan Domeracki, vice president of government and industry THE WORTHAM FOUNDATION, INC. relations, serves on the HGO Board of Directors. In the 1980s, the Wortham Foundation contributed $20 million to lead the capital DIAN AND HARLAN STAI campaign for the Wortham Theater Center, Harlan, a member of the HGO Board of guided by businessman Gus S. Wortham’s Directors, and Dian are charter members early recognition of the vital role of the arts in of HGO’s Founders Council for Artistic making Houston an appealing place to live and Excellence, and their leadership support work. During their lifetimes, Gus and his wife, Lyndall, were dedicated includes main-stage productions, the to improving the lives of Houstonians. The Foundation continues HGO Studio, the HGO Endowment, to support the Opera through the Wortham Foundation Permanent and special events. The Stais have also sponsored HGO Studio Endowment and generous annual operating support. 65 Patrons Society

Members of Houston Grand Opera’s Patrons Society support the opera­ at a level of $4,000 or more, thereby making possible the incredible work of HGO. Members of the Society are entitled to many benefits at the opera, including complimentary valet parking, Masterson Green Room privileges during performance intermissions, personalized ticket service, two tickets to all open dress rehearsals, Opera Guild membership, a discount on Opera Guild Boutique­ purchases, and more. HGO gratefully recognizes our Patrons Society members. For information on joining the Patrons Society, please call Jennifer Wijangco at 713-546-0704. Helen Shaffer, Chairman PLATINUM CIRCLE—$50,000 OR MORE Alex and Astley Blair Connie and Byron Dyer Zane and Brady Carruth Bill and Melinda Brunger Mary Ann and Larry Faulkner Mr. Max Chapman and Dr. and Mrs. William T. Butler Ms. Patricia B. Freeman and Mr. Bruce Patterson Mrs. Donna Josey Chapman The Robert and Jane Cizik Foundation S. Scott and Gina Gaille Mr. and Mrs. James W. Crownover Gislar and Victoria Donnenberg Dr. Wm. David George Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Hevrdejs Mrs. William H. Guggolz, Jr. Sandy and Lee Godfrey Mr. and Mrs. J. Landis Martin Dr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Haywood Mr. Sten L. Gustafson and Ms. Sofia Adrogué Frances Marzio Ms. Marianne Kah Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Hagerman Miss Catherine Jane Merchant Claire Liu and Joseph Greenberg Larry and Kathleen Hanson Glen A. Rosenbaum Mr. Joseph Matulevich and Ms. Sasha Davis Mrs. Brenda Harvey-Traylor Dr. Jack A. Roth and Dr. Elizabeth Grimm Will L. McLendon Lee M. Huber Mr. Fayez Sarofim Ginger and Hugh Menown Robert and Kitty Hunter Ms. Anne Schlumberger Radoff Family Joan Blaffer Johnson John and Becca Cason Thrash Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Ritter Ann and Stephen Kaufman Lynn Wyatt Mrs. Craig M. Rowley Mr. and Mrs. William H. Knull III Mr. and Mrs. Thomas V. Rushing Jeff and Gail Kodosky GOLDEN CIRCLE—$25,000 OR MORE Mr. William V. Walker Ms. Michele LaNoue and Mr. Gerald Seidl Mr. Thomas R. Ajamie Mr. and Mrs. David S. Wolff Mr. and Mrs. Doug Lawler Michelle Beale and Dick Anderson Perryn and Caroline Leech Meg Boulware and Hartley Hampton BRONZE CIRCLE—$10,000 OR MORE Marcheta Leighton-Beasley Mr. and Mrs. Joel Catalano Mr. Edward H. Andrews III Dr. Mike Lemanski Dr. and Mrs. Michael Cochran The Honorable Mary E. Bacon Rochelle and Max Levit Amanda and Morris Gelb Kathryn and David Berg Ms. Lisa Long Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Mr. Milton D. Rosenau Jr. Dr. Michael and Susan Bloome Mr. and Mrs. Karl R. Loos Mr. and Mrs. Richard Husseini Ms. Adrienne Bond Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Malbin M. David Lowe and Nana Booker/ Walt and Nancy Bratic Michele Malloy Booker • Lowe Gallery Mr. Stephen R. Brenner Mr. and Mrs. Roman O. Martinez Kathrine G. McGovern Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Bruni Ginger Maughs and Byron Rusk Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Dr. Janet and Mr. Charles Bruner Mr. R. Davis Maxey and Ms. AnnMarie Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Nickson Mr. Ralph Burch Josette Karam McAdams, Microsoft Dr. and Mrs. John Mendelsohn Mrs. Mary H. Cain Dr. and Mrs. William E. Mitch Beverly and Staman Ogilvie Ms. Gwyneth Campbell and Terrylin G. Neale Ms. Elizabeth Phillips Mr. Joseph L. Campbell Mrs. Maria Papadopoulos Gloria M. Portela and Richard E. Evans Marjorie H. Capshaw Aku and Meena Patel Jill and Allyn Risley Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Carnes Susan and Ward Pennebaker Hinda Simon Janet Langford Carrig Mr. and Mrs. Smith Ray Dr. and Mrs. C. Richard Stasney Mr. and Mrs. Thierry Caruso Margaret and Todd Reppert Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Sweeney Dr. Peter Chang and Hon. Theresa Chang Mrs. Henry K. Roos Mrs. John Ben Taub Neil and Elizabeth Chapman Mrs. Helen A. Shaffer Ignacio and Isabel Torras Alain and Maryline Chepda Ms. Jennifer Sickler Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Mr. William E. Colburn Ms. Janet Sims John C. and Sheila R. Tweed Julie and Bert Cornelison Mrs. Marguerite Swartz Birgitt van Wijk Mr. Efraín Z. Corzo and Mr. Andrew Bowen Mrs. P.H.G. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. James M. Vaughn Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Randy Crath Mr. Robert L. Turner Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Vilas/Novum Energy Dr. and Mrs. Mark D’Andrea Mr. and Mrs. Jess B. Tutor Mr. and Mrs. Claude J. Davenport III Joseph Waiter and Irene Bourke SILVER CIRCLE—$15,000 OR MORE Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Davidson Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Wakefield Samuel and Omana Abraham Ms. Anna M. Dean Mrs. Andrew Wilkomirski Dr. and Mrs. Saúl Balagura Mr. Ugo DiPortanova Jane L. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Barnes Dr. and Mrs. William F. Donovan Margarida and Penn Williamson Joan Hacken Bitar, MD Mr. and Mrs. David Dorenfeld Dr. Fabian Worthing

SUMMER 2015 66 HGO.org Mr. R. Alan York Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Misamore Mr. Robert L. Cook and Mrs. Giovanna Imperia Mr. and Mrs. David P. Young Marsha L. Montemayor Mr. and Mrs. Sam Cooper Nina and Michael Zilkha Glenna and Joe F. Moore Dr. and Mrs. Dorian Coppenhaver 2 Anonymous Drs. John and Karen Oldham Ms. Joyce Cramer Ms. Claire O’Malley Dr. Sharon S. Crandell ARTIST’S CIRCLE—$5,000 OR MORE Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Pinson Mr. and Mrs. Markley Crosswell III Dr. and Mrs. Glenn B. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Irving Pozmantier Ronada R. Davis, DDS and Eric S. Johnson Bill Arning and Mark McCray Lou and Joan Pucher Mr. Morgan de Marigny Mr. Paul R. Aruffo and Dr. Eva Salmeron Ms. Judith Raines Dr. and Mrs. Roupen Dekmezian Paul and Maida Asofsky Mr. and Mrs. Gregory S. Robertson Niki DeMaio Mr. and Mrs. William C. Baker Drs. Alejandro and Lynn Rosas Dr. and Mrs. Richard Denne Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Ballard Dr. and Mrs. C. Dan Sauls Mr. John Ellis Drewer Mr. Karl-Heinz Becker and Dr. Gudrun H. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Edward Schreiber Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dubrowski Mr. and Mrs. Philip Belanger Mr. and Mrs. Theodore P. Shen Carolyn and David G. Edgar Dr. James A. Belli and Dr. Patricia Eifel Julia and Albert Smith Foundation Mrs. Jane H. Egner Jorge Bernal and Andrea Maher Kristina and Paul Somerville Mrs. James A. Elkins III Drs. Henry and Louise Bethea Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Spradling Mr. and Mrs. John D. Ellis Dr. Kenneth Bloom and Dr. Sheila Swartzman Mrs. Robert Springob and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Engerrand Mr. Chester Brooke and Dr. Nancy Poindexter Laredo Construction, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. J. Thomas Eubank Dr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler Mr. and Mrs. John T. Stough Jr. Diane Lokey Farb Ms. Kiana K. Caleb and Mr. Troy L. Sullivan Mrs. Ann Gordon Trammell Mr. and Mrs. Jerry E. Finger Jess and Patricia Carnes Mr. Georgios Varsamis Charles and Susan Fitts Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Carvelli Mr. and Mrs. M. C. “Bill” Walker III Carol Lay Fletcher Mrs. John R. Castano Mr. and Mrs. K.C. Weiner Richard Flowers Louise Chapman Dr. and Mrs. Dennis E. Willen Wanda and Roger Fowler Sharon Curran-Wescott and Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Williams Mr. Ronald Franklin Earle “Skip” Wescott Nancy and Sid Williams Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Galfione Mrs. Leslie Barry Davidson and Drs. Jorge and Gunilla Zeballos Dr. Christopher R. Garrett Mr. W. Robins Brice Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ziegler Dr. Alice Gates and Dr. Wayne Wilner Isabel and Danny David 4 Anonymous Lucy Gebhart Ms. Linnet Frazier Deily Ms. Josette George Anna and Brad Eastman PATRON’S CIRCLE—$4,000 OR MORE Mrs. Geraldine C. Gill Drs. Rachel and Warren A. Ellsworth IV Ms. Jacquelyn M. Abbott Nancy Glass, M.D. and John Belmont, M.D. Mr. Scott Ensell Dr. Paul Abell and Ms. Amy Sisson Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Glenn Parrish N. Erwin Jr. Mr. and Mrs. W. Kendall Adam Mr. and Mrs. Bert H. Golding Gerard and Christine Gaynor Chris and Michelle Angelides Mary Frances Gonzalez Dr. Layne O. Gentry Dr. and Mrs. Stanley H. Appel Mr. and Mrs. John Graf Dr. Eugenia C. George Dr. and Mrs. Roy Aruffo Adelma S. Graham Dr. and Mrs. David P. Gill Ms. Catherine Baen and Mr. Matt Hennessey Ms. M. A. Graiff Marion and Gary Glober Ms. Thu Nhi Barrus Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Grieves Leonard A. Goldstein and Helen B. Wils Mr. William Bartlett Mr. and Mrs. Fred Griffin Dr. and Mrs. David Y. Graham Dr. Barbara Lee Bass and William F. Guest Joyce Z. Greenberg Mr. Richard S. Marshall Ms. Janet Gurwitch Mr. Mario Gudmundsson and Mr. Darrin Davis Mr. Harless Benthul Mr. and Mrs. Dewuse Guyton Mr. Claudio Gutierrez Mr. and Mrs. Stanley C. Beyer Don and Joanie Haley Ms. Zahava Haenosh Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Bickel Dr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Halsey Mr. and Mrs. A. John Harper III Drs. Gloria and E. Wiley Biles Mr. Frank Harmon III and Brian Hencey and Charles Ross Jr. Mrs. Thomas W. Blake The Honorable Melinda Harmon Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Hewell Dr. Jerry L. Bohannon Dr. Linda L. Hart Mr. Jackson D. Hicks Dr. and Mrs. Jules H. Bohnn Mr. and Mrs. Doug Haynes Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth Thomas and Sally Bolam Bob and Liza Heintz Mrs. Olive Jenney Mr. Jeffery Bosworth and Mr. Timothy Bammel Hugh Helferty and Sarita Karve The Honorable and Mrs. Stuart S. Kay Jr. Mr. Al Brende and Mrs. Ann Bayless Mrs. J. W. Hershey Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kidd Mr. and Mrs. Richard Burleson Kay and Michael W. Hilliard Sara and Gabriel Loperena Mr. Patrick Carfizzi Deborah and Michael Hirsch Mrs. Marilyn Lummis Mr. and Mrs. Juan M. Carreon Mr. Edward L. Hoffman Ms. Michele Malloy Mrs. Lily G. Carrigan Alan and Ellen Holzberg Wynn and Shawna McCloskey Ms. Nada Chandler Mr. and Mrs. John H. Homier Gillian and Michael McCord Mr. Robert N. Chanon Dr. and Mrs. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi Mr. William H. McDugald Mr. Bob Chapman Mr. and Mrs. George M. Hricik Mr. and Mrs. J. Douglas McMurrey Jr. Ms. Virginia Ann Clark Mr. Mark E. Jacobs Dr. Alice R. McPherson Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Clarke Mr. Spencer A. Jeffries Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Ms. Carole J. Colley Mrs. Colleen A. Jennings Mr. and Mrs. Mark Metts Dr. Nancy I. Cook Mr. and Mrs. James K. Jennings, Jr.

67 Barbara Hoffman Johnson Mrs. Bobbie Newman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stamatedes Sultana Kaldis Maureen O’Driscoll-Levy, M.D. Richard P. Steele and Mary McKerall Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Kauffman Susan and Edward Osterberg CDR and Mrs. James B. Sterling III Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Rice Kelly Robert and Rheta Page Mr. Jeffrey Stocks Mr. Anthony K. Suzanne Page-Pryde and Arthur Pryde Dr. and Mrs. Paul Subrt Mr. John Keville Capt. and Mrs. Kim Parker Mr. and Mrs. John M. Sullivan Thomas Kimbrough and Elizabeth Scribner Mr. and Mrs. W. Wayne Patterson Dr. and Mrs. Demetrio Tagaropulos Mr. and Mrs. Sam Koster Ms. Emilee Peters Neil and Kris Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Randall B. Lake Paul and Cathy Pierson Ms. Susan Thompson Lily Kobayashi Landress Mr. and Mrs. Scott V. Pignolet Dr. Barbara Tilley Mr. and Mrs. J. Mark Landrum Joseph E. Pirog Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tobias Ms. Angela Lane Mrs. Gerald Rauch Dr. Knox Todd and Ms. Courtenay Carmody Mr. Richard Leibman Dr. David Reininger and Ms. Laura Lee Jones Dr. and Mrs. Karl Tornyos Dr. and Mrs. Ernst Leiss Ms. Wanda A. Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Trainer Jr. Robert and Joyce Levine Ms. Gwen Richard Dr. Elizabeth Travis and Mr. Jerry Hyde Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Liesner Mr. Robert Richter Jr. Jay and Charlotte Tribble Mr. and Mrs. H. Arthur Littell Mr. and Ms. Walter Ritchie James M. Trimble and Sylvia Barnes Mrs. Sylvia Lohkamp and Mr. Tucker Coughlen David and Rebecca Roberts Mr. and Mrs. Eliot P. Tucker Joan H. Lyons Mr. and Mrs. James L. Robertson Mr. Paul Turner and Mr. David Rast Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mach Kelly and David Rose Ms. Janet Upole and Mr. Kirk Hickey Mr. Neal S. Manne and Ms. Nancy D. McGregor Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Rose Mrs. Paloma Urbano Ms. Diane M. Marcinek Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Rose Ms. Barbara Van Postman Renee Margolin Mr. Nico Roussel Marietta Voglis Gary and Shannon Margolis Sharon Ruhly Mr. and Mrs. Julian Vulliez Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Miss Judy C. Sauer Dean Walker Mr. and Mrs. J. Mathalone Mrs. Richard P. Schissler Jr. Mr. Raymond Wallace Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Mazow Wolfgang Schmidt and Angelika Schmidt-Lange Dr. and Mrs. Jeremy C. Wang Mrs. Mollie E. McBride Mr. and Mrs. Roger Schuler Jr. Ms. Fabene Welch Mrs. Dorothy McCaine Ms. Sue Schwartz Ms. Bryony Jane Welsh Mr. and Mrs. D. Patrick McCelvey Ms. Janna Scott Mr. Jeff Westenhaver Mrs. Sarah McCollum John Serpe and Tracy Maddox Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Whitehead Dr. Francis P. McCullough Trey and Adrienne Shepherd Ms. Pippa Wiley Mimi Reed McGehee Mr. and Mrs. Mark Shidler Dr. Courtney Williams Mr. Allen McReynolds Ms. Denmon Sigler and Mr. Peter Chok Ms. Catherine Wintz Mrs. Theresa L. Meyer Ms. Alice Simkins Ms. Debra Witges Mr. and Mrs. Scott J. Miller Gwen Simms Mrs. Shirley C. Wozencraft Kathleen Moore and Steven Homer Mrs. Arnold M. Singer Mr. Sam T. Yates III Mr. Sid Moorhead Mr. Calvin Slater Drs. Edward Yeh and Hui-Ming Chang Mr. and Mrs. Sidney S. Moran Mr. Dennis C. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Marc S. Young Mr. Wiley L. Mossy Jr. Mr. Steven Spears Mr. Stephen A. Zeff Mr. and Mrs. David Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Howard Speight John L. Zipprich II Linda C. Murray Mr. and Mrs. Aaron J. Stai 1 Anonymous Erik B. Nelson and Terry R. Brandhorst Houston Grand Opera Donors

Houston Grand Opera appreciates all individuals who contribute to the company’s success. Support in any amount is received most gratefully. Our donors share a dedication to supporting the arts in our community, and the generosity of these individuals makes it possible for HGO to sustain world-class opera in the Houston area. For information on becoming a Houston Grand Opera donor, please call Jennifer Wijangco at 713-546-0704.

ASSOCIATE PATRONS—$2,000 OR MORE Mr. Jeffrey W. Carr Dr. and Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton Jr. Ms. Cynthia Akagi and Mr. Tom Akagi Dr. and Mrs. Gary L. Clark Mrs. Ann G. Hightower Mrs. Nancy C. Allen Ms. Judy Clark Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Kaplan Dr. John P. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. James M. Clepper Ms. Nancy J. Kerby Jose A. Araujo Ms. Sybil Crawford Elisabeth and George Laigle Grace and Mark Baker Mr. and Mrs. Arthur G. Dauber Dr. Helen W. Lane Mrs. Deborah S. Bautch Mrs. Ronald P. Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Lynn Mr. and Mrs. James Becker Drs. Daniel and Jean Freeman Jr. Ms. Danita Maseles Drs. Robert S. and Nancy Benjamin Mrs. Wendy Germani Ms. Lisa Mears Mrs. John E. Bixby Mr. William E. Gipson Kay and Larry Medford

SUMMER 2015 68 HGO.org Jerry and Sharyn Metcalf Kenneth and Deborah Scianna Dr. Paul Kwak, Boston, MA Ms. Celia Morgan Mr. Clint Sosa Dr. and Mrs. Morton Leonard Jr., Galveston, TX Martin L. and Susan Nusynowitz Mr. and Mrs. Aaron J. Stai Mrs. Sharon G. Ley and Mr. Robert F. Lietzow, Dr. Angela Rechichi-Apollo Mr. Jacob Stein Austin, TX Mr. Daniel Rowe Drs. Vivek and Ishwaria Subbiah Ms. Viki L. List, Bryn Mawr, PA Dr. Kathleen Sazama Dr. Pavlina Suchanova Cathleen C. and Jerome M. Loving, Bryan, TX Mr. Nick Shumway and Mr. Robert Mayott Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Tinis Dr. and Mrs. Herbert E. Madalin, Mrs. Brigitte Steele Mr. and Mrs. Hector Torres Corpus Christi, TX Barbara and Neil Stovall Gerard and Kim Trevino Mr. and Mrs. J. Landis Martin, Denver, CO Dr. and Mrs. Mark Stuart Mr. Bryan Wagner and Dr. Josey Wagner Mr. Gaston Maurin and Mr. Kyle Kerr, Irving, TX Mani and Anuradha Subramanian Mr. Jeffrey Watters Mrs. Walter W. McAllister Jr., San Antonio, TX Dr. Laura E. Sulak and Dr. Richard W. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Jason Williams Ms. Taddy McAllister, San Antonio, TX Dr. and Mrs. Peter K. Thompson Ms. Heather Womble Kathryn Miller, New York, NY J. M. Weltzien Mr. Andrew Wooley Mr. James R. Moffitt, Albuquerque, NM Miss Pinar Oya Yilmaz Drs. Raj and Sri Yalamanchili Mr. and Mrs. John R. Monk Jr., Lufkin, TX 1 Anonymous Marsha L. Montemayor, Houston, TX NATIONAL PATRONS—$2,000 OR MORE Brucie and Andrew Moore, Goliad, TX YOUNG PATRONS—$2,000 OR MORE Ms. Jacqueline S. Akins, San Antonio, TX Mr. John P. Muth, Wimberley, TX Ms. Maryam Afshari Ms. Joan Allison, Corpus Christi, TX Mr. Barry Narlines, Baltimore, MD Ms. Connie Allen Dr. and Mrs. Robin Ardoin, Lafayette, LA Ms. Claudia Nelson and Ms. Anne Morey, Dr. Genevera Allen Mr. and Mrs. John Barbe, Sunrise Beach, TX College Station, TX Mr. and Mrs. Bryan W. Bagley Mr. Harless Benthul, Galveston, TX Dr. James F. Nelson, San Antonio, TX Mr. Liam Bonner Jorge Bernal and Andrea Maher, Ms. Judith Y. Oudt, New Orleans, LA Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl Bogota, Colombia Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Quirk, San Antonio, TX Mr. Jason E. Brown Evan Black and Susan Ross Black, Houston, TX Ms. Chere Reneau, San Antonio, TX Mr. Matthew Brown Mr. Richard E. Boner and Ms. Susan Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. Harley Rex, Huntsville, TX Ms. Kiana K. Caleb and Mr. Troy L. Sullivan Austin, TX Jason and Cindy Reyes, San Antonio, TX Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Carvelli Mr. Donald W. Bonneau, El Paso, TX Ms. Wanda A. Reynolds, Austin, TX Julie and Stephen Chen Linda Brahaney, Midland, TX Mr. Bill Richmond and Mr. Dennis Courtney, Mrs. Bailey Dalton-Binion and Mr. Greg Binion Mr. Stephen R. Brenner, Tacoma, WA Corpus Christi, TX Mr. and Mrs. Tracy L. Dieterich Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Bruni, San Antonio, TX Ms. Ellen Rienstra, Beaumont, TX Drs. Rachel and Warren A. Ellsworth IV Dr. Bernd U. Budelmann, Galveston, TX Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Ritter, Kansas City, MO Ms. Laurel B. Flores Dr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler, Austin, TX James and Nathanael Rosenheim, Bryan, TX Tina and Sam Governale Louise Chapman, Corpus Christi, TX Mr. and Mrs. Michael Samarin, Murrieta, CA Mr. Mario Gudmundsson and Mr. Darrin Davis Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Cloudman III, Boulder, CO Dr. Barry E. Schwarz, Dallas, TX Mr. Claudio Gutierrez Ms. Eleanor Connan, Miccosukee Cpo, FL Robert and Nancy Shivers, San Antonio, TX Ms. Emily Handley Mr. and Mrs. Markley Crosswell III, Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Short, Dallas, TX Mr. Michael Harberg San Antonio, TX Ms. Alice Simkins, San Antonio, TX Mr. and Mrs. A. John Harper III Dr. and Mrs. Richard Day, Horseshoe Bay, TX Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Fredericksburg, TX Ms. Ashlee Herrington Dr. Thomas S. DeNapoli and Mr. Mark Walker, Eleanor and Philip Struab, Metairie, LA Mr. T R Simon Hoang San Antonio, TX Kenneth Bloom and Sheila Swartzman, Ms. Melissa Huntermark Mr. James M. Duerr and Dr. Pamela Hall, San Antonio, TX Mr. Robert Hunziker San Antonio, TX Dr. and Mrs. Clark D. Terrell, Boerne, TX Mr. Clinton Kennan Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Easterby, Boerne, TX Mr. and Mrs. William F. Threlfall, Ridgway, CO Mr. David Krohn Michael Freeburger and Matilda Perkins, Dr. David N. Tobey and Dr. Michelle Berger, Mr. Andy Lee Fair Oaks Ranch, TX Austin, TX Mr. and Mrs. Robert Little Dr. Wm. David George, Austin, TX Mr. John G. Turner and Mr. Jerry G. Fischer, Sara and Gabriel Loperena Mr. Raymond Goldstein and Ms. Jane T. Welch, Baton Rouge, LA Mr. Daniel MacLeod San Antonio, TX Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Vastola Jr., Dallas, TX Mr. Anthony Makridis Mr. Edward H. Green, Beaumont, TX Ms. Rons Voogt, Huntsville, TX Mr. Brian McCulloch Brian Hencey and Charles Ross Jr., Austin, TX Dr. Karan Watson, College Station, TX Ms. Charyn McGinnis Mr. Charles Hendrix, Rancho Mirage, CA Margaret and Alan Weinblatt, San Antonio, TX Ms. Kelser McMiller Sarah Lou Hill, Baton Rouge, LA Valerie and David Woodcock, College Station, TX Mr. Justin Mitchell and Ms. Katherine Butler Dr. Victor S. Ho and Mrs. Arielle Lawson, The Honorable Eugenia Wright and Mr. Arturo Muñoz Holguin and Ms. Jessica Roper Beaumont, TX Dr. Francis Wright, San Antonio, TX Mr. and Mrs. Edoardo Padeletti Mr. John Hrncir, Austin, TX Mrs. Ruth Wright, Dallas, TX Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Pancherz Michael and Evelyn Hyatt, Franklin, TN 2 Anonymous Ashley Parks Edward and Patricia Hymson, San Francisco, CA Mr. and Mrs. Anant Patel Sammie and William Jakle, Santa Fe, NM Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Peters The Honorable and Mrs. Stuart S. Kay Jr., Ms. Yvonne Pham DeRidder, LA Jason and Cindy Reyes Thomas Kimbrough and Elizabeth Scribner, Mr. Nico Roussel Galveston, TX Ms. Tiffany Sanders Jeff and Gail Kodosky, Austin, TX

69 CONTRIBUTING FELLOWS— Dr. Holly Holmes Ms. Sally Schott $1,000 OR MORE Mr. and Mrs. David G. Hughes Christopher B. Schulze, M.D. Mr. Roman Alvarez Mr. and Mrs. James R. Hutton Dr. and Mrs. H. Irving Schweppe Jr. Dr. Robert E. Anderson Dr. Daniel Jackson Dr. Philip Scott and Dr. Susan Gardner Sesh and Prabha Bala Dr. Richard and Sandra Jackson Mr. Ronald Seeliger Paul and Nancy Balmert Charlotte Jones Mr. Marcelo Selowsky Drs. Nathaniel and Marcia Barnes Ms. Carey C. Jordan Mr. Victor E. Serrato Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Bast, Jr. Lynda and Frank Kelly Ms. Sue A. Shirley-Howard Dr. and Mrs. Hagop Bedikian Mr. and Mrs. Michael Klaveness Mr. Herbert Simons Mr. Douglas Bishea Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Kolb Jan Simpson Mr. William M. Bomar Mr. and Mrs. Paul Landen Mr. Joseph Sims and Ms. Janis Doty Jim and Susan Boone Mrs. John E. Langwith Jr. Ms. Gwen Sitton Mr. and Mrs. Howard K. Bostock Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Langenstein Dr. David W. Sloan Mr. Bob F. Boydston Mrs. Stephanie D. Larsen Norma Smith Mr. Alexander Brewer Mr. and Mrs. John Lattin Hon. Ruby K. Sondock Mr. James Brugman Mr. Pierre Le Baud Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Spross Mr. Michael Burke Ms. Rachel Le and Mr. Lam Nguy Dr. and Mrs. Clarke Stout Mrs. Anne H. Bushman Mr. Lee Lennard Drs. Adaani E. Frost and Wadi N. Suki Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Butcher Mr. Joseph Levitan and Mr. Nicolo Messana Ms. Lori Summa Ms. Susan Byerley Jose and Marcia Lima Mr. Kiyoshi Tamagawa Dr. and Mrs. Raul Caffesse Mr. James C. Lindsey Mr. Joe Thayer Mrs. Pamela Campbell Ms. Claire Lober Mr. and Mrs. Edmunds Travis Jr. Ms. Toni Capra Mr. George Loudder and Dr. Martha Loudder Robert L. Treasure, M.D. Dorothy E. F. Caram, Ed.D. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Y. Lui Mr. and Mrs. John A. Unger Roxi Cargill and Peter Weston, M.D. Mrs. Marta Lujan-Gough Mr. Jerre van den Bent Mr. Jerry Conry Mr. Allan MacKinnon Dr. and Mrs. Lieven J. Van Riet Mr. and Mrs. T. N. Crook Dr. Brian Malechuk and Mr. Kevin Melgaard Mr. and Mrs. Eugene H. Vaughan Ms. Kathleen R. Cross Mrs. Kristi Shipnes Martin Mr. Billy Vaughn and Mr. Matti Bunzl Mr. and Mrs. Warren Dean Mr. James F. Mathis Mr. and Mrs. Alton L. Warren Mike and Gayle DeGeurin Mr. and Mrs. Mark Mazziotti Mr. and Mrs. James A. Watt Peggy DeMarsh Jim and Linda McCartney Mr. Jesse Weir and Mr. Roberto Ayala Mr. Tom Donecker Mr. Michael C. McEwen Ms. Linda M. Wells Professor John J. Douglass Dr. Gilda McFail Drs. Angel and Anita Werch Dr. and Mrs. Giulio Draetta Dr. Mary Fae McKay Norma West-Green Miss Kellie Elder Wanda Meyer LaVerne and Philip Wiles Mike Ezzell Mr. Douglas D. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Bert B. Williams Ms. Ann L. Faget Dr. Lopa Mishra Mr. Lawrence Williams Dr. Harold Farber and Mrs. Dana Camp-Farber Dr. Richard Moiel and Mrs. Katherine Poeppel Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Woodell II Ms. Ursula Felmet Mr. Ralph S. O’Connor Mr. and Mrs. Mark Yzaguirre Carol Sue Finkelstein Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Ortiz Drs. William and Huda Yahya Zoghbi Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fowler Ms. Martha P. Palmer 4 Anonymous Mr. Meredith G. Fox Pamela J. and James D. Penny Mr. John E. Frantz Mrs. Ulrike Peto Dr. Robert A. Furse Mary Ellen and Donald Podoloff Ms. Sonia Garcia Susie and Jim Pokorski Mr. and Mrs. Gibson Gayle Jr. Mr. Nigel Prior Mr. Enrico R. Giannetti Drs. Alex and Ina Prokhorov Mrs. Gwynn F. Gorsuch Dr. and Mrs. A. P. Raghuthaman Mr. and Mrs. John S. Griffin Mr. and Mrs. Richard Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. David Hammock Mr. William K. Rice Mr. and Mrs. Frank Heard Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Rinehart Jr. Sheila and Isaac Heimbinder Ms. Jean P. Ross Dr. and Mrs. William C. Heird Mansel and Brenda Rubenstein Mr. and Mrs. Rex D. Hemme Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Salinger Miss Stacey Henry Mr. and Mrs. Terrell F. Sanders Dr. Ralph J. Herring Raymond Sawaya M.D. Dr. Janice L. Hewitt Ms. Jill Schaar and Mr. George Caflisch Mr. Stanley A. Hoffberger Mr. and Mrs. W. Russell Scheirman

SUMMER 2015 70 HGO.org Corporate Matching Gifts

Select corporations in our community help to augment contributions to Houston Grand Opera through their employee matching gift programs. We thank the institutions below, and their employees, for their generosity and dedication to advancing the art form of opera. Do you work at one of the institutions listed below? Ask your employer today about how you can have your personal contribution matched. For information on matching gifts, please call Justine Welch at 713-546-0270.

AIG American General GE Foundation Apple Matching Gifts Program Halliburton Baker Hughes Incorporated Hewlett-Packard Company BHP Billiton Petroleum (Americas) Inc. IBM Corporation The Boeing Company Kinder-Morgan BP America Laredo Construction, Inc. Cabot Oil & Gas Linn Energy Cameron Corporation LyondellBasell Chevron Marathon Oil Corporation CITGO Petroleum Corporation Merrill Lynch & Co. Coca-Cola North America Northern Trust ConocoPhillips Occidental Petroleum Corporation Covidien Shell Oil Company Energy XXI Services, LLC Spectra Energy Exxon Mobil Corporation FMC Technologies

Your Support MatterS Ticket sales alone cover only 25 percent of HGO’s annual costs. We rely on the generosity of donors like you to aid us in creating world-class, uncompromising operatic programs. Your donation to HGO grants you exclusive benefits like valet parking, Green Room Access and invitations to our behind-the-scenes lecture series. Will you support HGo with your annual Fund gift today? To donate or for more information, visit HGO.org/Giving or contact Jennifer Wijangco at 713-546-0704 or [email protected].

71 Corporate, Foundation, and Government Partners

Houston Grand Opera salutes our corporate, foundation, and government partners whose commitment and generous support assist HGO in its mission to contribute to the cultural enrichment of the city of Houston and the nation by producing and performing world-class opera. They help ensure the diverse, innovative, and balanced program of performances, events, and community and education projects for which the company is known worldwide. For information on becoming a Corporate or Foundation donor to Houston Grand Opera, please call Kelly Finn at 713-546-0265. Martha Carnes, Chairman, HGO Corporate Council

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA Christian Corts, BB&T J. Douglas McMurrey Jr., Kinder Morgan CORPORATE COUNCIL Joshua Davidson, Baker Botts L.L.P. Ginger C. Menown, KPMG LLP Daniel D. Domeracki, Schlumberger Jerry L. Metcalf, Thompson & Knight LLP Martha Z. Carnes, PwC Mark Evans, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP Mark Metts, Sidley Austin LLP Thomas R. Ajamie, Ajamie LLP Mauro Ferrari, Houston Methodist Christopher B. Miller, Capgemini Consulting J. Scott Arnoldy, Triten Corporation Jackie Ford, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Charlene Nickson, ACC Realty LLC Marcia Backus, Occidental Petroleum Pease LLP John Onstott, Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Corporation S. Scott Gaille, ZaZa Energy Corporation Ward Pennebaker, Pennebaker C. Mark Baker, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP Lori Glawe, Marathon Oil Corporation Gloria M. Portela, Seyfarth Shaw LLP Jonathan Baliff, Bristow Group, Inc. William Griffin, Bank of America/U.S. Trust Gary Reese, Northern Trust Barbara Lee Bass, M.D., F.A.C.S., Michael Heckman, Houston First Corporation Glen Rosenbaum, Vinson & Elkins LLP Methodist Institute for Technology, Karl Hennessee, Halliburton Thomas V. Rushing, Bank of America Innovation and Education (MITIE) Jackson Hicks, Jackson and Company Merrill Lynch Katherine Berry, Northern Trust Todd Hoffman, PwC Jill A. Schaar, Locke Lord LLP Astley Blair, Marine Well Containment Company Richard Husseini, Baker Botts L.L.P. Jennifer Sickler, Thompson & Knight LLP Meg Boulware, Boulware & Valoir John Keville, Winston & Strawn LLP Denmon Sigler, Winston & Strawn LLP Walt Bratic, OverMont Consulting LLC Michele M. LaNoue, Headworks Inc. Mark R. Spradling, Vinson & Elkins LLP Melinda Brunger, Andrews Kurth LLP Jerry Lasco, Lasco Enterprises Ignacio Torras, Tricon Energy Ralph Burch, ConocoPhillips Doug Lawler, Chesapeake Energy Corporation Alfredo Vilas, Novum Energy Janet Langford Carrig, ConocoPhillips Dr. Mike Lemanski, Shell Oil Company Austin Werner, Bank of Texas Thierry Caruso, Ernst & Young LLP David LePori, Frost Bank David Young, Union Pacific Albert Chao, Westlake Chemical Corporation Jose Alberto Lima, Shell Oil Company Neil Chapman, ExxonMobil Chemical Company

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS Underwriters — $25,000 or more Novum Energy Services, LLC Phillips 66 Grand Guarantor — $250,000 or more Ajamie LLP Baker Botts L.L.P. † Saks Fifth Avenue * Medistar Corporation Bank of Texas Sidley Austin LLP Vethan Law Firm P.C. Guarantors — $100,000 or more BB&T Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, L.L.P. Wells Fargo † BBVA Compass † * Booker • Lowe Gallery Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP Chevron † Boulware & Valoir Westlake Chemical Corporation ConocoPhillips † Bracewell & Giuliani LLP Winston & Strawn LLP H-E-B Bristow Group, Inc. Houston Methodist * Supporters — $10,000 or more Cameron Occidental Petroleum Corporation Andrews Kurth LLP Capgemini Consulting Schlumberger † AT&T † City Kitchen Catering * Shell Oil Company † Burberry ExxonMobil † United Airlines * Cadence Bank Frost Bank Vinson & Elkins LLP †* Ernst & Young LLP George H. Lewis & Sons The Events Company * Grand Underwriters — $50,000 or more HCC Insurance Holdings Fort Bend Music Company * Jackson and Company †* Anadarko Petroleum Corporation † Hess KPMG LLP † Bank of America Locke Lord LLP † Marathon Oil Corporation Fayez Sarofim & Co. † LyondellBasell MD Anderson Cancer Center Halliburton † Nordstrom National Oilwell Varco Houston First Corporation Thompson & Knight LLP TM Northern Trust † Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Winstead PC Nabors Industries Norton Rose Fulbright † PwC †

SUMMER 2015 72 HGO.org Member — $1,000 or more Santa Fe Opera Underwriters — $25,000 or more William A. and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation Boardwalk Pipeline Partners The Lowell New York Houston Saengerbund Texas Commission on the Arts † Burlington Northern Santa Fe Members — $3,000 or more John P. McGovern Foundation † CenterPoint Energy Sterling-Turner Foundation † Houston Cinema Arts Society Members — $1,000 or more Linscomb & Williams The Vaughn Foundation The Wright Pawn & Jewelry Co. The Arts Federation IN-KIND Wrights Creek Outfitter Sponsors — $10,000 or more Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation, Inc. CONTRIBUTORS FOUNDATIONS AND Cockrell Family Fund Mary H. Cain Foundation George and Mary Josephine TO OPERATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Albert and Ethel Herzstein Hamman Foundation The Leon Jaworski Foundation † Premier Guarantors — Charitable Foundation SPECIAL EVENTS The Nathan J. Klein Fund $1,000,000 or more Houston Arts Alliance Underwriters — $25,000 or more Ralph H. and Ruth J. McCullough Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation † The Brown Foundation, Inc. † Foundation OPERA America Abrahams Oriental Rugs and Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Nightingale Code Foundation C. Howard Pieper Foundation Home Furnishings Inc.† The Powell Foundation † Strake Foundation City Kitchen Catering The Wortham Foundation, Inc. † Jackson and Company William E. and Natoma Harvey Pyle * Contribution includes in- kind support Landry’s Inc. Principal Guarantors — Charitable Trust † † Ten or more years of consecutive Lasco Enterprises $500,000 or more support Neiman Marcus Ruth and Ted Bauer Family Nini Jewels Foundation † Nordstrom City of Houston † Pennebaker The General and Saks Fifth Avenue Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Opera Fund † Tenenbaum & Co. The Andrew W. Mellon The Events Company Foundation † Tony’s Catering Alkek and Williams Foundation Wattle Creek Winery Grand Guarantors— Sponsors — $15,000 or more $250,000 or more Bulgari Anne and Albert Chao, Lavandula Design Ting Tsung and The Lancaster Hotel Wei Fong Chao Foundation INTERNATIONALENERGY DEVELOPMENT LUCHO/Hector Villarreal The Robert and Janice McNair Sakowitz Furs Foundation As economic progress marches forward, the natural resources in our backyards are being Serravalle in Chianti depleted, forcing companies to search for HQHUJ\LQIDUÁXQJFRUQHUVRIWKHZRUOG6FRWW Guarantors — $100,000Gaille has traversed or more the nations of Africa, South Tootsies America and Asia in the quest for global energy. He is now teaching the next generation of energy M.D. Anderson Foundationleaders at Rice † University’s Graduate School Co-Sponsors — $7,500 or more of Business how to navigate these challenging City of Houston throughenvirons. MillerInternational Energy Development is based on his teachings and seeks to convey a Abercombie & Kent Theatre Advisory Boarddeeper understanding † of where our energy future lies and what it takes to succeed around Elegant Events and Catering The Cullen Foundationthe globe. † by Michael The Cullen Trust for the Performing Frosch Travel Arts† INTERNATIONAL Gremillion & Co. Fine Art Houston EndowmentScott Inc. Gaille is† an attorney and executive whose career has ranged from giving oral argument before the United States Court of Opera Ball Leipzig Production The Humphreys FoundationAppeals to acquiring † petroleum concessions around the world. GmbH/Porsche AG He has travelled to more than one hundred nations searching Kinder Foundation for international petroleum on behalf of Occidental Petroleum Texas Air Shuttle Mr. and Mrs. Harlan CorporationC. Stai and otherand companies. Scott holds a Doctor of Law ENERGY with High Honors from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor Terrell Tone Owen Memorialof Arts with High Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, Benefactors — $5,000 or more where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He is Founder and Managing DEVELOPMENT Endowed Donor AdvisedDirector of The Fund Gaille Group and teaches at Rice University’s Graduate School of Business. Bradford Portraits at the Community Foundation of SCOTT GAILLE Christian Dior Abilene ISBN 978-1466439474 David Peck USA Elaine Turner Grand Underwriters — Events $50,000 or more 9 781466 439474 SCOTT GAILLE Fleming’s Anchorage Foundation of Texas J. Pacetti Precious Jewels Carol Franc Buck Foundation Masterson Design/ Houston Grand Opera Guild † Based on Mr. Gaille’s course at Rice University’s Mariquita Masterson Lynne Murray Sr. Educational Graduate School of Business, “the book on MPenner Foundation † how energy companies grow by acquiring Past Era Antique Jewelry National Endowment for the Arts international concessions.” Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Stedman West Foundation † - BISNOW Magazine

73 Laureate Society Let There be Opera, ALWAYS

The Laureate Society comprises individuals who have helped ensure the future of Houston Grand Opera by remembering the Opera in their wills, retirement plans, trusts, or other types of estate plans. The Laureate Society does not require a minimum amount to become a member. Planned estate gifts to the Houston Grand Opera Endowment can be used to support general or specific Opera programs. Houston Grand Opera is deeply grateful to these individuals. Their generosity and foresight enable the Opera to maintain its growth and stability, thus enriching the lives of future generations. Michelle Beale, Chairman LAUREATE SOCIETY Dr. and Mrs. Russell L. Deter II Ben and Margaret Love Foundation Mr. Paul and Dr. Rhonda Turner MEMBERS Connie and Byron Dyer Mrs. Marilyn G. Lummis Mr. and Mrs. Jess B. Tutor Ms. Gloria M. Portela and Dr. and Dr. Raymond Lutz Jan Upole Ms. Gerry Aitken Mr. Richard E. Evans Dr. Jo Wilkinson Lyday Dr. Carlos Vallbona Mrs. Marion Alexay Ann L. Faget Ms. Sandra L. Magers Birgitt van Wijk Mrs. Margaret Alkek Williams Mrs. Jean L. Fauntleroy Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Malbin Marietta Voglis Mrs. Judy Amonett Ms. Carol Sue Finkelstein Ms. Michele Malloy Ms. Rons Voogt Ms. Michelle Beale and Ms. Carol L. Fletcher Mr. and Mrs. J. Landis Martin Dean B. Walker Mr. Richard H. Anderson Mr. Carlisle Floyd Nancy Wynne Mattison Mr. Gordon D. Watson Ms. Robin Angly and Mr. Miles Smith Dr. Donna Fox Mrs. Dorothy McCaine Mr. Jesse Weir Ms. Mary Lee Archer Dr. Alice Gates Mrs. Cynthia Tally McDonald Mr. Geoffrey Westergaard Dr. and Mrs. Willard Aronson Dr. Layne O. Gentry Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Ms. Roxanne Cargill and Peter Weston Roberto Ayala Mr. Michael B. George Dr. Will L. McLendon Ms. Jane L. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Baker Dr. Wm. David George Mr. Allen D. McReynolds Helen Wils Dr. and Mrs. Saúl Balagura Dr. and Mrs. Rollin O. Glaser Maryellen McSweeney David and Mary Wolff Daniel B. Barnum Mr. David Gockley Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Miss Daisy Wong Mrs. Thomas D. Barrow Mr. Jon K. Gossett Miss Catherine Jane Merchant Dr. L. Fabian Worthing III Bill A. Bartlett Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gott Ms. Suzanne Mimnaugh Lynn Wyatt Dr. and Mrs. Barry Beller Adelma Graham Mr. Juan R. Morales R. Alan York Dr. Patricia Eifel and Dr. James A. Belli Mr. and Mrs. Donald Graubart Mr. and Mrs. Sidney S. Moran Katherine and Mark Yzaguirre Mr. and Mrs. Stanley C. Beyer Dr. Nichols Grimes Mrs. Lucian L. Morrison Dr. and Mrs. Efrain Zavala Mrs. Eileen Birge Dr. Ellen R. Gritz Ms. Terrylin G. Neale Mr. John L. Zipprich II Dr. Joan Hacken Bitar Mario Gudmunsson and Darrin Davis Bobbie Newman 16 Anonymous Susan Ross Black Lynn Guggolz Mrs. Tassie Nicandros WE HONOR THE MEMORY OF THOSE Dr. Michael and Susan Bloome Mr. Jas A. Gundry Ms. B. Lynn Mathre and WHO INCLUDED HGO IN THEIR Dr. and Mrs. Jules H. Bohnn Mrs. Jack W. Harris Mr. Stewart O’Dell ESTATE PLANS: Mr. Andrew Bowen Linda Lloyd Hart Mr. and Mrs. Staman Ogilvie Lynda Bowman Ms. Brenda Harvey-Traylor Mrs. James W. O’Keefe Dr. Thomas D. Barrow Stephen R. Brenner Nancy Ferguson-Haywood Mrs. Susan Osterberg Ms. Evelyn M. Bedard Ms. Zu Dell Broadwater Miguel and Teresita Hernandez Mrs. Joan D. Osterweil Mr. Thomas Capshaw Catherine Brock Dr. Ralph Herring Thelma and Richard Percoco Dr. Lawrence E. Carlton Mr. and Mrs. Ira B. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Hewell Mrs. Sara M. Peterson Frank R. Eyler Mr. Richard Buffett Mr. Jackson D. Hicks Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Pinson Christine E. George Ralph C. Byle Mr. Edward L. Hoffman Mr. and Mrs. James A. Pokorski Jack W. Harris Mrs. Marjorie H. Capshaw Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth and Mr. Arthur B. Pryde and Mark Lensky Jess and Patricia Carnes Dr. Ken Hyde Mrs. Suzanne Page-Pryde Mary R. Lewis Janet Langford Carrig Alan and Ellen Holzberg Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Reynolds Mrs. Margaret Love Mrs. Sylvia J. Carroll Ms. Kathleen Moore and Mr. Bill Richmond and Ms. Marsha Malev Mr. Tony Carroll, LCSW, Mr. Steven Homer Mr. Dennis Courtney Mr. Constantine Nicandros and Mr. Bruce Smith, DDS Ms. Ami J. Hooper Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Robinson Dr. Mary Joan Nish Nada Chandler Dr. Marjorie Horning Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Rose Mr. James W. O’Keefe Ms. Virginia Ann Clark Ms. Sue A. Shirley-Howard and Glen A. Rosenbaum Barbara M. Osborne Mr. William E. Colburn Mr. Richard H. Howard Mrs. Jean Rowley Mrs. Mary Ann Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Comstock Eileen and George Hricik Mr. John C. Rudder Jr. Mr. Howard Pieper Mr. Jim O. Connell Ms. Lee M. Huber Mr. and Mrs. Thomas V. Rushing Mr. Craig M. Rowley C.M. and A.A. Cooper Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Hunter Mr. and Mrs. Terrell F. Sanders Mrs. Joseph P. Ruddell Mr. Efrain Z. Corzo Dr. Lamar and Mrs. Jane Jackson Mr. Chris Schilling Mr. Eric W. Stein Sr. Dr. Joan K. Bruchas and Charitable Trust Hinda Simon John and Fanny Stone Mr. H. P. Cowdin Mr. Brian James Mr. Herbert D. Simons Dr. Carlos Vallbona Ms. Catherine Cox Mr. Spencer A. Jeffries Ms. Susan Simpson Miss Bonnie Sue Wooldridge Mr. Alan M. Craft Ms. Charlotte Jones Janet Sims James W. Crownover Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kauffman Mr. Robert J. Smouse For information regarding charitable Ms. Judy Cummings Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Kaufman Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai estate gift planning and how it might Karl A. Dahm Mr. John S. W. Kellett Catherine Stevenson positively impact you, your loved Lida S. Dahm, M.D. Steve Kelley and Charles Dennis Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Suter ones, and Houston­ Grand Opera, Ms. Marilyn R. Davis Ms. Virginia Kiser Rhonda J. Sweeney please contact Richard Buffett, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy S. Davis Ann and Sam Koster Mr. and Mrs. Leonard B. Tatar Ms. Sasha Davis Willy and Inge Lotte Liesner Mrs. John Ben Taub director of major gifts and legacy Ms. Anna M. Dean Heide and Karl Loos Dr. and Mrs. Robert Toth giving, at 713-546-0216 or visit Ms. Peggy DeMarsh Mr. John G. Turner HGO.org/laureatesociety. SUMMER 2015 74 HGO.org Houston Grand Opera Endowment

The Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Inc., is a separate nonprofit organization that invests contributions to earn income for the benefit of Houston Grand Opera Association. The Endowment Board works with Paul Comstock Partners, independent investment counsel, to engage professional investment managers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Janet Langford Carrig, Chairman William E. Colburn Richard Husseini Janet Carrig, Terrylin G. Neale, Senior Chairman James W. Crownover Stephen M. Kaufman Chairman Robert C. Hunter Yolanda Knull

An endowed fund can be permanently established within the Houston Grand Opera Endowment through a direct contribution or via a planned gift such as a bequest. The fund can be designated for general purposes or specific interests. For a discussion on endowing a fund, please contact Richard Buffett, director of major gifts and legacy giving, at 713-546-0216. HGO acknowledges with deep gratitude the following endowed funds: GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS HELP SUPPORT OUR PRODUCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES Charles T. (Ted) Bauer Memorial Fund Jackson D. Hicks Endowment Fund The Ruddell Endowment Fund The Stanley and Shirley Beyer Endowed Fund General and Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Shell Lubricants (formerly Pennzoil — Mary Frances Newton Bowers Endowment Fund Memorial Opera Fund Quaker State Company) Fund Pat and Daniel A. Breen Endowment Fund Elizabeth Rieke and Wayne V. Jones Endowment Fund Dian and Harlan Stai Fund The Brown Foundation Endowment Fund Mary R. Lewis Endowed Fund The John and Fanny Stone Endowment Fund The Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Kitty King Powell Endowment Fund Dorothy Barton Thomas Endowment Fund Endowment Fund Constantine S. Nicandros Endowment Fund John and Sheila Tweed Endowed Fund Douglas E. Colin Endowment Fund Barbara M. Osborne Charitable Trust Marietta Voglis Endowed Fund Robert W. George Endowment Fund C. Howard Pieper Endowment Fund Bonnie Sue Wooldridge Endowment Fund Frank Greenberg, M.D. Endowment Fund Rowley Family Endowment Fund The Wortham Foundation Permanent Endowment Fund

PRODUCTION FUNDS HELP CREATE NEW PRODUCTIONS AND REVIVE EXISTING ONES Edward and Frances Bing Fund The Wagner Fund PRODUCTION FUNDS FOR PRINCIPAL ARTISTS The Lynn Wyatt Great Artist Fund ENDOWED CHAIRS AND FELLOWSHIPS HELP ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENTED ARTISTS Margaret Alkek Williams Chair: Patrick Summers, Artistic and Music Director Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Alkek Chair: Bradley Moore, Head of Music Staff/HGO Studio Music Director The Sarah and Ernest Butler Concertmaster Chair: Denise Tarrant The Sarah and Ernest Butler Chorus Master Chair: Richard Bado Mr. and Mrs. James A. Elkins Jr. Endowed Chair: Patrick Harvey, Assistant Conductor James A. Elkins Jr. Endowed Visiting Artist Fund Evans Family Endowed Chair: Pierre Vallet, Guest Coach ELECTRONIC MEDIA FUNDS HELP HGO REACH AUDIENCES THROUGHOUT THE REGION, STATE, AND NATION The Ford Foundation Endowment Fund HOUSTON GRAND OPERA STUDIO FUNDS HELP TRAIN AND DEVELOP SOME OF THE FINEST OPERA TALENT IN THE WORLD Audrey Jones Beck Endowed Fellowship Fund/ William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship Fund John M. O’Quinn Foundation Endowed Houston Endowment, Inc. Charlotte Howe Memorial Scholarship Fund Fellowship Fund The Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation Elva Lobit Opera Endowment Fund Shell Lubricants (formerly Pennzoil — Endowment Fund Quaker State Company) Fund Marian and Speros Martel Foundation Thomas Capshaw Endowment Fund Endowment Fund Mary C. Gayler Snook Endowment Fund Houston Grand Opera Guild Endowment Fund Erin Gregory Neale Endowment Fund Tenneco, Inc. Endowment Fund James J. Drach Endowment Fund Dr. Mary Joan Nish and Patricia Bratsas Weston-Cargill Endowed Fund Carol Lynn Lay Fletcher Endowment Fund Endowed Fund

EDUCATION FUNDS HELP HGO TOUCH THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE Lawrence E. Carlton, M.D., Endowment Fund Fondren Foundation Fund for Educational Programs Beth Crispin Endowment Fund David Clark Grant Endowment Fund James J. Drach Endowment Fund The Schissler Family Foundation Endowed Fund for Educational Programs OUTREACH FUNDS HELP HGO REACH A BROAD SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY Guyla Pircher Harris Project Spring Opera Festival Fund (Shell Lubricants, formerly Pennzoil — Quaker State Company) CONCERT OF ARIAS Eleanor Searle McCollum Endowment Fund

75 Houston Grand Opera Endowment

ESTATE GIFTS WE THANK THE FOLLOWING DONORS: Don and Joanie Haley Mr. and Mrs. Barry O’Dell Estate of Evelyn M. Bedard Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Adams Ms. Frances Hamel Beverly and Staman Ogilvie Estate of Marilyn Jane Fedder Mr. and Mrs. William A. Adams Ms. Carol H. Hebert Mr. and Mrs. Dee S. Osborne General and Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Estate Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Dean Alexander Mr. and Mrs. Jim Heffernan Mrs. Ann Owens Estate of Mary R. Lewis The Alkek and Williams Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Hewell Mrs. Barbara Paull Estate of Dr. Mary Joan Nish Mr. Joe H. Amberson Jr. Mr. Jackson D. Hicks Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Petersen Estate of Dorothy B. Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Robert Arnett Sarah Lou Hill Mrs. Frank D. Peto Mr. Robert J. Babbitt Deborah and Michael Hirsch Mr. and Mrs. Robert Polichino CONTRIBUTIONS MADE IN MEMORY OF: Ms. Catherine Baen and Ms. Pam Higgins Ms. Gloria M. Portela and Robert Allen Mr. Matt Hennessey The Hobby Center Mr. Richard E. Evans Cruz Reyna Avelar Mrs. Thomas D. Barrow Mr. and Mrs. Brad A. Hollas The Powell Foundation William Bacon Michelle Beale and Dick Anderson Mr. and Mrs. George M. Hricik Mr. and Mrs. Irving Pozmantier Sandra Bernhard Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Bergren Robert and Kitty Hunter Suzanne Page-Pryde and Arthur Pryde Stan Blair Ms. Sandra Bernhard Mrs. Elmore B. Inscoe Ms. Ashley Reder Harold Block Mrs. Pamela Best International Alliance Of Theatrical Mr. and Mrs. David Reeves Gerry Bush Mr. and Mrs. Stanley C. Beyer Stage Employees Mr. and Mrs. H. John Riley Jr. Thomas Capshaw Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Bickel Scott and Larissa Ipsen Mr. and Mrs. Gregory S. Robertson Mary Gene Caraway Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Biegel Franci and Jim Crane Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Roche Charles F. Cockrell Mr. and Mrs. William A. Bisso III Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. Jones Regina Rogers Douglas E. Colin Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bivins Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Jones III Mrs. Henry K. Roos Leilabeth Crispin Susan Ross Black Sultana Kaldis Glen A. Rosenbaum Barbara Crosby Mr. and Mrs. Eric Blumrosen Mr. and Dr. Marvin Katz Ms. Susan Rubin Dick Dalton Mr. Harold Block and Ms. Evi Katz Mr. Joseph P. Ruddell Renee Danziger Ms. Janet Sims Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Kauffman Mr. and Mrs. Thomas V. Rushing Thomas Dinkins Mr. John T. Bonno and Ann and Stephen Kaufman Ian and Annie Sale Paul Egner Mrs. Naomi Scott Mr. and Mrs. Martin W. Kaye Ms. Mary Sankey Katherine Giswell-Rodwell Mr. Stephen R. Brenner Charles Dennis and Steve Kelley Sandy Sartorius Christina George Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Bruckner Dr. Milton and Gail Klein Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Schepps Mary Green Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Bruni Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kimball Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Schlatter Linda Chumney Gregory Dr. John Bunk Ms. Anne Lamkin Kinder Mr. Dale M. Schlatter Sean Griffin Dr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler Dr. and Mrs. Michael F. Koehl Ms. Cindy F. Seligmann Isabelle Gritz Mr. and Mrs. Carl Calabro Mr. and Mrs. Sam Koster Mr. Herbert Simons William H. Guggolz Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Canfield Ms. Barbara C. Kyse Ms. Janet Sims James Hamilton Laura Canning and Michael Deacon Ms. Grace Labatt Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith Patricia A. Higi Ms. Toni Capra Ms. Cecile Lambert Society for the Performing Arts Diana Hobby Roxi Cargill and Peter Weston, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Lebow Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Terrell Tone Pat Houk Mrs. John R. Castano Perryn and Caroline Leech Owen Endowed Fund at the Community Bessie Kaldis Mr. and Mrs. Keith Caulfield Ms. Sally Lehr Foundation of Abilene Justin Karp Mr. David Chambers Ms. Nancy Lennard Stedman West Foundation Sherwin Kershman Albert and Anne Chao/ Mrs. Irene Leslie Mr. and Mrs. Alan Stein Paul Krieger Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Steve Letbetter Mr. and Mrs. Eric W. Stein Sr. Loella Elizabeth Nabors Madison Mr. Cecil Conner Mr. and Mrs. Michael Linn Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Stein Marsha Amdur Malev Ms. Lisa Crispin Ms. Carole Look Ms. Heidi Stober Patty Moody Mr. and Mrs. O. Holcombe Mr. and Mrs. Karl R. Loos Mr. and Mrs. Mark Strum Laurie Falls Morris Crosswell Mr. Kelley Lubanko Mr. and Ms. Samuel Stubbs Lucian Leeds Morrison, III Mrs. Leslie Barry Davidson and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mach Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stuettgen Erin Gregory Neale Mr. W. Robins Brice Mr. John W. Mackie III Mr. and Mrs. John M. Sullivan Lamar Gregory Neale Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Day Mrs. Bette Magee Mrs. Ann Gordon Trammell Linda Neale Ms. Anna M. Dean Mr. and Mrs. Joe Magers Mr. John G. Turner and John Nish Ms. Wini Deitrich Ms. Janis Maingot Mr. Jerry G. Fischer Rebecca Nystron Niki DeMaio Mr. David S. Malev Mr. and Mrs. Jess B. Tutor Ari Olifant Mr. and Mrs. Ray W. Duffy Mr. and Mrs. Wallis Marsh Mr. and Mrs. Dan Tutcher Robert Pannett Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Elsenbrook David Martin and Shelley Starr John C. and Sheila R. Tweed Charlotte Phelan Richard Everett Ms. Frances Marzio Ms. Janet Upole and Howard Pieper Mr. and Mrs. Don Faust Mr. J.F. Mastroianni Mr. Kirk Hickey Guyla Pircher Mr. and Mrs. Walter Flanagan III Ms. Nancy Wynne Mattison Ms. Birgitt van Wijk Robert J. Piro Carol Lay Fletcher Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mayell Mr. and Mrs. George C. Vaughan Nelson Ruschee Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Francisco Ms. Margaret Mays Jean Vorhaben Andrew Schwartz, Jr Ms. Cathy C. Frank Mrs. Dorothy McCaine Mr. and Mrs. John A. Weinzierl Richard Schissler Mr. John P. Fraser Ms. Marion Andrus McCollam Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Wildenstein Shirley Stein Ms. Mary A. Gardner Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McDade Johannah Wilkenfeld Cecil Blalock Stephenson, Jr Carol and Gary Gartsman McGladrey LLP Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Wolf William Weibel Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Gast The Robert and Janice McNair Mr. Don Yates Perrin Wynne White Dr. Layne O. Gentry Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Stuart A. Zarrow Leslie Wildrick Mr. Michael B. George Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Dorothy Williams Mr. and Mrs. David B. Gerger Mercedes Benz of Houston David Windsor Mr. and Mrs. Gary Gibson Wanda Meyer Bonnie Sue Wooldridge Mr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Gracely Mrs. Denise Monteleone CONTRIBUTIONS MADE IN HONOR OF: Adelma S. Graham Kathleen Moore and Steven Homer Perryn Leech Dr. and Mrs. Milton Gray Jr. Ms. Nancy P. Moore Cora Sue Mach Mr. and Mrs. Tom Guggolz Bill and Sara Morgan Harlan and Dian Stai Mrs. William H. Guggolz Jr. Terrylin G. Neale Mr. and Mrs. William Haase Mr. and Mrs. Arthur I. Newman

SUMMER 2015 76 HGO.org Houston Grand Opera Management and Staff

PATRICK SUMMERS, Artistic and Music Director * PERRYN LEECH Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Managing Director

GREGORY S. ROBERTSON Chief Advancement Officer MOLLY DILL DAVID FEHELEY DEBORAH HIRSCH JUDITH KURNICK General Manager * Technical and Production Director Senior Director of Development Director of Communications

BRADLEY MOORE BRIAN SPECK DIANE ZOLA Head of Music Staff Director of HGO Studio Director of Artistic Administration * Music Director, HGO Studio Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Alkek Chair

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR ADVANCEMENT SERVICES TECHNICAL/PRODUCTION Dawn Gillespie, Governance and Ashley Coffey, Development Administrative Philip Alfano, Lighting Associate Business Manager Assistant Katrina Bachus, Assistant Director Bob Lilly, Executive Assistant Robin Lewis, Development Data Manager Kristen E. Burke, Production Stage Manager Alyson Robben, Administrative Assistant M. Jane Orosco, Marketing Data Manager * Michael Clark, Lighting Supervisor Joanna Torok, Director of Advancement Operations Andrew Cloud, Properties Associate * FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Justine Welch, Development Operations Manager Norma Cortez, Head of Costumes * Maria J. Blake, Systems Manager * Kyle Coyer, Assistant Technical Director/ Henry Cantu, Staff Accountant * COMMUNICATIONS HGOco Technical Director Luis Franco, Office Services Coordinator * Laura Chandler, Director of Publications * Esmeralda De Leon, Costume Coordinator Denise Fruge, Accounts Payable Administrator * Amy Garcia, Creative Services Associate Brandon Dismukes, Production Master Carpenter * Matt Gonzales, Database Administrator Christine Lee, Communications Manager Meg Edwards, Assistant Stage Manager Debbie Loper, Payroll Administrator * Ashley Seals, Communications Coordinator Mary Elsey, Assistant Stage Manager Tanya Lovetro, Director of Finance Pattima Singhalaka, Art Director Zoltan Fabry, Master Propertyman * Ken Vaughn, Director of Information Systems * THE GENEVIEVE P. DEMME ARCHIVES AND­ Vince Ferraro, Assistant Master Electrician/ Lee Whatley, Director of Business Analytics * RESOURCE CENTER Lighting Board Programmer Melissa Williford, Director of Human Resources * Brian Mitchell, Archivist * Jennifer Hobart Gummi, Technical/ DEVELOPMENT HGOco Production Administrator Rudy Avelar, Director of Patron Services * Dennis Arrowsmith, Touring and Ensembles Ed Hamala, Assistant Carpenter/Head Flyman Richard Buffett, Director of Major Gifts and Manager Eduardo Hawkins, Head Soundman * Legacy Planning Brittany Duncan, Programs Director Clair Hummel, Costume Coordinator Kelly Finn, Director of Development, Julie Hurley, Office Administrator and Julie Hurley, Assistant Stage Manager Institutional Giving HGOco Stage Manager Nara Lesser, Costume Technician Clare Greene, Associate Director of Stacey Michael, Operations Manager Megan, Properties Design Director * Special Events Liz Petley, Assistant Stage Manager Scott Ipsen, Director of Special Events ARTISTIC/MUSIC Albert Pike, Master Electrician * Eva Kanouse, Special Events Coordinator Richard Bado, Chorus Master * Mercedes Ramirez, Draper * David Krohn, Associate Director of Development Richard S. Brown, Orchestra Personnel Manager * Evelyn Rossow, Assistant Stage Manager Elizabeth Lyons, Development Communications Jamie Gelfand, Artistic and Rehearsal Coordinator Maria Luisa Salinas, Costume Technician Manager Carolyne Hall, Associate Company Manager Logan Schoenbaechler, Assistant Technical Director Patrick Muhlen-Schulte, Development Officer Patrick Harvey, Assistant Conductor Omer Ben Seadia, Assistant Director Emily Schreiber, Development Officer Paul Hopper, Dramaturg Dotti Staker, Wig and Makeup Department Head * Denise Simon, Special Events Operations Manager Daniel James, Music Administrator Christopher Staub, Stage Manager/ Jennifer Wijangco, Director of Development, Mark C. Lear, Associate Artistic Administrator * Assistant Stage Manager Individual Giving Lisa Oswald, Company Manager Paully Lea Tran, Costume Technician Sarah Williams, Prospect and Research Manager Peter Pasztor, Assistant Conductor * Myrna Vallejo, Costume Shop Supervisor * Karen Reeves, Children’s Chorus Director * MARKETING Sean Waldron, Assistant Head of Properties Kelsey Sapp, Artistic and Rehearsal Coordinator Kelly Laning, Director of Marketing Annie Wheeler, Stage Manager/ Emily Senturia, Assistant Conductor, Assistant Cynthia Lewis, Team Lead * Assistant Stage Manager Chorus Master Raquel Meyer, Marketing Manager Christopher Turbessi, Assistant Conductor, * denotes 10 or more years of service Jacob Millwee, Team Lead Musical Supervisor of HGOco Ralph Sanders, Teleservices Manager Tim Tull, Music Librarian * Daniel Taylor, Audience Development Manager Richard Wong, Director of Sales and Services * HOUSTON GRAND OPERA STUDIO Jeremy Johnson, Administrator

77 CALENDAR For information on all Houston Grand Opera events, call the Customer 2015–16 Care Center at 713-228-OPERA (6737) or 800-626-7372 unless otherwise noted. For information on HGOco events, please call 713-546-0230, email [email protected], or visit HGO.org/HGOco.

SEPTEMBER 25 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20 • Veterans Songbook Showcase: selections • Performances of Rachel Portman and 10 & 12 from HGOco’s Veterans Songbook project Nicholas Wright’s The Little Prince. will be performed in the Brown Alcove Wortham Theater Center’s Cullen • Studio Showcase: The singers and pianists before the performance of Tosca, 1:15 p.m. Theater. Special intermission reception of the HGO Studio perform in a fully for members of Opening Nights for staged program of opera scenes, Wortham • Behind the Music: an intimate Young Professionals at the December 4 Center’s Cullen Theater, 8 p.m. Free to conversation about Tosca immediately performance only. season subscribers; nonsubscribers may following the performance. Masterson purchase mezzanine tickets at HGO.org. Green Room. Free 6 23 & 24 30, NOV. 1, 7, 10, 13 • Behind the Music: an intimate conversation about The Little Prince • HGOco presents world premiere • Performances of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene immediately following the performance. performances of Gregory Spears and Onegin. Wortham Theater Center’s Brown Royce Vavrek’s O Columbia. Revention Theater. Special intermission reception 8, 9, 15 (formerly Bayou) Music Center, 8 p.m. for members of Opening Nights for Tickets: HGO.org/Columbia. Young Professionals at the October 30 • Student Matinees: HGOco hosts groups performance only. of students in grades 4–8 and their 23, 24, 25 chaperones at performances of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright’s The Little • The Velveteen Rabbit: HGOco and Prince. School groups only: reserve online Opera to Go! present this favorite at NOVEMBER at HGO.org/StudentPerformances. Miller Outdoor Theatre, 11 a.m. daily. Free. The Velveteen Rabbit tours from 1 September 14 through December 18. To book a performance, visit HGO.org/ • Behind the Music: an intimate JANUARY OperaToGo or call 713-546-0231. conversation about Eugene Onegin immediately following the performance. 3 Masterson Green Room. Free. • HGOco presents the High School Voice OCTOBER 5 Studio Winter Recital at the Wortham Theater Center, Rehearsal Room 3, 6 p.m. • High School Night: HGOco hosts high Free. 3 school students and their chaperones at a • Fall Awards Lunch: the HGO Guild honors full-length performance of Puccini’s Tosca. 7 stellar volunteers and supporters at the School groups only. Wortham Center’s Omni Houston Hotel, 4 Riverway, 11:30 Brown Theater, 7 p.m. Visit HGO.org/ • Opera Night Live, The Marriage of Figaro: a.m. For information, contact Gwyneth StudentPerformances to reserve. the HGO Guild invites you to the Wortham Campbell at 713-885-5024 or visit Theater Center to enjoy wine and snacks HGOguild.org. 8 and learn more about the opera from a special guest. 7 p.m. Contact event • Veterans Songbook Concert: HGOco chair Dr. Alice Gates at 713-522-1178 for 6 presents selections from the Song of information. • Opera Night Live: the HGO Guild invites Houston Veterans Songbook project at you to the Wortham Theater Center to Christ Church Cathedral, 7:30 p.m. Free. 22, 24, 30, FEB. 3, 5, 7 enjoy wine and snacks and learn more about Tosca from a special guest. 7 p.m. 12 & 15 • Performances of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Wortham Theater Center’s Brown For information, contact Dr. Alice Gates at • Recital at Rienzi: Artists of the HGO Studio Theater. Special intermission reception 713-522-1178. perform in the intimate and elegant salon at for members of Opening Nights for Rienzi, the decorative arts wing of MFAH, Young Professionals at the January 22 20 at 1406 Kirby Drive. Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. performance only. • Professional Development Workshop: and Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. HGOco presents a workshop for educators 24 on Tosca. Wortham Theater Center, 6 p.m. 25 • Behind the Music: an intimate • Holiday Tree Lighting at the Wortham conversation about The Marriage of Figaro 23, 25, 31, NOV. 3, 6, 14 Theater Center, noon. immediately following the performance. • Performances of Puccini’s Tosca. Wortham Masterson Green Room. Free. Theater Center’s Brown Theater. Special intermission reception for members of DECEMBER 28, 29, 30 Opening Nights for Young Professionals at the October 23 performance only. • HGOco and Opera to Go! present world 2 premiere performances of Mark Buller and 23 • Professional Development Workshop: Charles Anthony Silvestri’s The Puffed-Up Prima Donna. Heinen Theatre at Houston • Opening Night Dinner: HGO celebrates the HGOco presents a workshop for educators Community College, central campus, 9:30 opening of the 2015–16 season following on The Little Prince. Wortham Theater a.m. and 11:15 a.m. daily. The Puffed-Up the performance of Tosca. Wortham Center, 5:30 p.m. Prima Donna tours from Jan. 25 through Theater Center, Ray C. Fish Plaza. For May 20. Book a performance at HGO.org/ more information, contact Scott Ipsen at OperaToGo or by calling 713-546-0231. 713-546-0242 or [email protected]. 29, 31, FEB. 6, 9, 12 6 15 • Performances of Dvořák’s Rusalka. • Opera Night Live: the HGO Guild invites • HGOco presents the High School Voice Wortham Theater Center’s Brown Theater. you to the Wortham Theater Center to Studio Graduation Recital, Duncan Recital Special intermission reception for members enjoy wine and snacks and learn more Hall, Rice University, 6 p.m. Free. of Opening Nights for Young Professionals about Carousel from a special guest. 7 at the January 29 performance only. p.m. Contact event chair Dr. Alice Gates at 713-522-1178 for information. JUNE 31 9 • Behind the Music: an intimate 1 conversation about Rusalka immediately • Opera Ball 2016: Grand Foyer of the following the performance. Masterson Wortham Theater Center, 7 p.m. Followed • HGO Association Annual Meeting: Green Room. Free. by the Encore Party. For information, Wortham Theater Center, 5–7 p.m. Open to contact Scott Ipsen at 713-546-0242 or board, trustees, and donors. [email protected]. Call 713-546-0217 for information. FEBRUARY 13 6–10 • Opera Experience: HGOco’s Opera Camp 4 • Professional Development Workshop: HGOco presents a workshop for educators for students entering grades 4–9 in the fall • Concert of Arias: the 28th Annual on Siegfried. Wortham Theater Center, of 2016. Wortham Theater Center. Eleanor McCollum Competition for 4:30 p.m. Young Singers. Wortham Center’s Cullen 13–17 Theater. Champagne reception at 6 p.m., 16, 20, 23, 28, MAY 1 • Create an Opera: HGOco’s Opera Camp competition at 7 p.m. Celebration Dinner to • Performances of Wagner’s Siegfried. for students entering grades 3–6 in the fall follow in the Grand Foyer. For information, Wortham Center’s Brown Theater. Special of 2016. Wortham Theater Center. contact Scott Ipsen at 713-546-0242 or intermission reception for members of [email protected]. Opening Nights for Young Professionals 13–24 at the April 16 performance only. • Art of Opera: HGOco’s Opera Camp for students entering grades 7–12 in the fall of MARCH 22, 24, 27, 29, 30, MAY 6, 7 2016. Wortham Theater Center. • Performances of Rodgers and 5, 11, 13 Hammerstein’s Carousel. Wortham • World premiere performances of Carlisle Center’s Brown Theater. Special Floyd’s Prince of Players. Wortham intermission reception for members of Center’s Cullen Theater. Opening Nights for Young Professionals at the April 22 performance only. 13 24 2015–16 HGO BOARD OF • Behind the Music: an intimate DIRECTORS MEETINGS conversation about Prince of Players • Veterans Songbook Showcase: songs from HGOco’s Veterans Songbook project immediately following the performance. All meetings will be held in the third Masterson Green Room. Free. will be performed in the Brown Alcove before the performance of Carousel, floor rehearsal room at the Wortham 16, 17, 18 1:15 p.m. Theater Center. • Spring Break at Discovery Green: HGOco • Behind the Music: an intimate 2015 2016 presents activities and performances at conversation about Carousel immediately Discovery Green, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. following the performance. Masterson OCT. 1 MAR. 3 Green Room. Free. 18 & 20 9 a.m. –12 p.m. 9 a.m. –12 p.m. • Recital at Rienzi: Artists of the HGO Studio DEC. 3 MAY 26 perform in the intimate and elegant salon at MAY 9 a.m. –12 p.m. 4 –7 p.m. Rienzi, the decorative arts wing of MFAH, at 1406 Kirby Drive. March 18 at 7:30 p.m. 1 and March 20 at 5 p.m. 2015–16 HGO • Behind the Music: an intimate conversation about Siegfried immediately TRUSTEES MEETINGS APRIL following the performance. Masterson Green Room. Free. Trustees meetings will be held at 2 5 & 8 the Wortham Theater Center. • Spring Event: the HGO Guild holds its • Recital at Rienzi: Artists of the HGO Studio 2015 2016 annual fundraiser at the Houston Racquet perform in the intimate and elegant salon at Club, 10709 Memorial Dr. 6:30 p.m. Rienzi, the decorative arts wing of MFAH, SEPT. 16 JAN. 28 Contact Gerry Aitken at 281-242-4466 for at 1406 Kirby Drive. May 5 at 7:30 and May 5–7 p.m. 5–7 p.m. information. 8 at 5 p.m.

79 YOUR HOUSTON GRAND OPERA

ouston Grand Opera offers a EXCHANGING YOUR TICKETS Descriptive services for persons with wealth of services to enhance your vision loss are available with 48-hour Full-season and Opera-to-Order opera experience. advance reservations. Please call H subscribers may exchange their tickets 713-546-0203 for details. Want to brush up on the opera before for a different performance of the same you attend? Need directions to the opera without fee, subject to availability. FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES­ theater? This information and much more Exchanges can be made by phone To pre-order food and beverages at is available on our website where you until 24 hours before the performance the Grand Foyer Café prior to the can also purchase tickets and make a begins; for exchanges within 24 hours performance, call Aramark at donation: of curtain time, please visit the Box 713-250-3650. Pre-order beverages for www.houstongrandopera.org Office in person. Non-subscription intermission at any of the lobby bars single tickets may be exchanged with HGO’s Customer Care Center is another when you arrive at the theater. When you a service fee of $10 per ticket. When great resource. For performance return at intermission, your beverages will exchanged for tickets of greater value, information, to purchase or exchange be waiting for you. tickets, or to make a donation to HGO, the customer will be responsible Full-season subscribers in the ­Founders contact the Customer Care Center at for the difference; no refunds will be Boxes, Premium Orchestra, and Loge 713-228-OPERA (6737) or made. No exchanges are permitted Boxes may dine in the Founders Salon. 800-62-OPERA (800-626-7372). after the performance has begun. Reservations are required, and meals You can also e-mail customercare@ LOST OR MISPLACED TICKETS must be ordered in advance. To take houstongrandopera.org. Throughout advantage of this subscriber-only benefit, the season, the Center will be staffed There is no charge for replacing lost Call Elegant Events and Catering by Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 ­tickets. More than 24 hours prior to Michael at 713-533-9318. p.m. (or until curtain time on performance the performance: call the Customer days). The Center will be open on Care Center at 713-228-OPERA (6737) PARKING Saturdays and Sundays only when there or 800-62-OPERA (800-626-7372) to Valet parking is a benefit of membership is a performance, from noon until curtain. request replacement tickets. They will for Patrons Circle and National Patron Hours are subject to change. be reprinted and held at the Will Call window for your performance. Within 24 donors; the valet station is located You can purchase tickets and make hours of the performance: go to the Box on Prairie Street. If you would like exchanges in person at the HGO Box Office Manager’s window. The Box Office information about membership at this Office, located in the Wortham Theater Manager will access your account and level, please contact a member of HGO’s Center at 550 Prairie. Hours are Monday reprint your tickets free of charge. Development staff at through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If there 713-546-0704, or e-mail us at is a performance on Saturday or Sunday, PATRONS WITH DISABILITIES donorservices@houstongrand­opera.org. the Box Office will be open from noon The Wortham Theater Center features until curtain. Hours are subject to change. wheelchair access to both theaters with BROWN AND CULLEN ALCOVES a choice of seating locations and ticket prices. An FM assistive listening The Wortham Theater Center’s newly device, generously provided by the renovated alcoves were designed with Houston First Corporation, is available your comfort in mind. Step inside one of for use free of charge at all performances. these golden-hued spaces in the Grand Please call the ­Customer Care Center at Foyer, and you’ll find a calm place to 713-228-OPERA (6737) or reflect on the evening’s performance over 800-62-OPERA (800-626-7372) for full dinner or drinks. details.

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