Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Houston Grand Opera
The Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in Houston in 1955.
HGO presents seven to ten productions per season in three repertory periods.
The company is well-known for its dedication to developing and nurturing American artists and composers.
It presents both the standard operatic repertoire as well as new works. Since 1973, Houston Grand Opera has presented 28 world and six American premieres.
In 1976, HGO revived George Gershwin Porgy and Bess and helped secure its place in the American operatic repertoire. It was also the first opera company in America to present Scott Joplin's Treemonisha.
HGO's home base is the Wortham Theater Center, which opened in October 1987. The state-of-the-art facility, housing both the 2,363-seat Brown and 1,065-seat Cullen theaters, was built entirely with private funds. The Wortham's opening events included a new production of Verdi's Aida with Mirella Freni and Plácido Domingo; the world premiere of John Adams' Nixon in China, directed by Peter Sellars; and an updated staging of Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio.
The company tours regularly, having taken productions to Japan, Italy, Egypt, Scotland and France. HGO won a Tony (Porgy and Bess), two Grammys (Porgy and Bess, Nixon in China) and two Emmy awards (Nixon in China, Hitting the High Cs).
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