Houston Grand Opera Orchestra

📯AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT🎻

—Substitute and Extras—

Resumes must be received by APRIL 13TH—Audition slots are limited!

Our Principal Trumpet was featured on the “Humans of HGO” series this week! Be sure to give it a read and follow him! 🎺

We are so beyond thrilled to have .gaffigan named as our new Music Director for

We have enjoyed his beautiful artistry and skilled leadership, and we look forward to the bright and music-filled future of this orchestra! 🎼

📣Audition Announcement!!📣

will be holding auditions for Principal Clarinet! See details above ⬆️

From Houston Grand Opera: INTELLIGENCE was a hit onstage and soon, you can stream it!

We’re thrilled to announce that our recording of the critically acclaimed, world premiere opera Intelligence officially has a release date! This HGO-commissioned opera by composer Jake Heggie, librettist Gene Scheer, and director/choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar will be available to stream on August 29, 2025. The first single, “Elizabeth Aria: Look me in the eye,” featuring powerhouse mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, is out today!

Capturing a tour-de-force performance from an acclaimed cast and the HGO Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Kwamé Ryan, Intelligence is our first release from the new Houston Grand Opera label, created with London Symphony Orchestra’s pioneering label LSO Live, as part of a new distribution partnership. Learn more about the album in our stories!

We can’t wait to share INTELLIGENCE with the world next month!

🤍🎻🤍📯🤍🎺🤍🪉🤍🪈🤍

Happy Mother’s Day to the wonderful moms of the HGO Tannhäuser orchestra!!

We mourn the passing of our dear friend, colleague, principal percussion, and orchestra personnel manager, Richard Brown.

He was truly an icon and legend of the Houston music community. He was a universal presence in all aspects of the orchestra, constantly on the phone, writing emails, contracting the next event, talking to his clients or colleagues, putting out fires, and playing all percussion parts for our operas. We will miss his energetic spirit, endless drive, multifaceted musicianship, and colorful shoes.

He was a founding faculty member of Rice University’s Shepherd School of music, and served as percussion professor for over 40 years. Richard dedicated 45 years at the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, WY as musician, artistic advisor, and personnel manager. He started his own company and performing group, Richard Brown Orchestra, which played social galas, special events, and weddings. Truly the heart and foundation of the Houston freelance community, Richard was constantly contracting concerts and events, and provided work to countless professional musicians in the community.

Please help us welcome Jordan Milek Johnson, bass trombone, to HGO Orchestra!

We can’t wait to be a part of this incredible event! 🎼🎻

Conductor James Gaffigan Leads The Houston Grand Opera Orchestra's First 'Concert Of Arias' Performance On Friday, January 17, 2025, American conductor James Gaffigan will lead the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra in the 37th annual, newly reimagined 'Concert of Arias' featuring finalists of the Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers.

Can you believe our recording of WERTHER is going to be released THIS FRIDAY?! 🥳

Here’s a recent review from “EarRelevant” which can be found here: https://www.earrelevant.net/2024/11/a-most-worthy-werther-spano-and-houston-grand-opera-vividly-capture-massenets-tragic-masterpiece/

This recording captures a star-studded performance from our 2022-23 season, conducted by Robert Spano and featuring Matthew Polenzani and Isabel Leonard.

We can’t wait to share with you this incredible album on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15th which will be available to stream through Apple Music Classical, as well as Spotify and Amazon! 💿