Ars Lyrica Houston:
Elevating Baroque Opera and Empowering Communities
As we celebrate our 21st season, Ars Lyrica is coming of age, embracing the maturity and boldness that accompany over two decades of artistic growth and achievement. What began as a small ensemble of local musicians has flourished into an internationally recognized leader in historically informed Baroque performance.
Recent milestones highlight Ars Lyrica’s growing impact: over two million views on YouTube, critically acclaimed recordings on the Acis label, and bilingual education programs that inspire thousands of young Houstonians annually. Looking ahead, Ars Lyrica is embarking on a bold new chapter—offering fully staged Baroque operas every season starting in 2025/26. This ambitious vision begins with Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo in May 2026, featuring GRAMMY® award-winning tenor Karim Sulayman.
Producing Baroque opera at this scale requires the support of a dedicated community. Ars Lyrica’s Opera Circle plays a vital role in realizing this vision. Through three-year commitments, Opera Circle underwriters ensure the sustainability of these productions while enjoying exclusive benefits such as behind-the-scenes access to artists, special event invitations, and public recognition.
“Baroque opera presents a golden opportunity to advocate for exceptional and seldom-heard repertoire,” says Artistic Director Matthew Dirst. Since 2011, when Ars Lyrica earned a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Opera Recording, the organization has set a high standard for excellence. Productions such as Handel’s Amadigi di Gaula and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas have garnered widespread acclaim, with Arts and Culture Texas praising them as “utterly magnificent, wildly successful, and among the most enjoyable performances of the season.”
Transforming Lives Through Education
While Ars Lyrica’s artistic ambitions soar, its community programs continue to inspire and educate. The organization’s bilingual children’s play, Maria’s Magical Music Adventure, based on the book of the same name and underwritten by CKW LUXE, introduces young audiences to Baroque music through live performances and storytelling. Co-produced with Express Children’s Theatre, the play has reached tens of thousands of students at schools and community venues, including Miller Outdoor Theatre, Heights Kids Day of Music and Rothko Chapel. The Maria’s Magical Music Adventure book is also the basis of a new collaboration with the Houston Grand Opera on Storybook Opera performances at Levy’s Park this season.
Our newly curated bilingual program, Orígenes: Voice and Percussion Through the Ages, explores the musical heritage of Spanish and Latin American cultures, using period instruments to connect students with history and music. Through our valued partnership with the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Ars Lyrica is proud to present Orígenes as part of the ExxonMobil Discovery Series, which brings educational programming to thousands of students each year.
This season marks an exciting milestone as we present our first-ever sensory-friendly performance of Orígenes, specifically designed for individuals with neurodivergent differences and their families. These inclusive performances ensure that music’s transformative power reaches all audiences, reinforcing our mission to make early music accessible to everyone.
Join the Movement
From the grandeur of Baroque opera to the joy of introducing children to classical music, Ars Lyrica Houston is shaping a vibrant cultural future for Houston. To support these endeavors, consider joining the Opera Circle or bringing Ars Lyrica’s educational programs to your community. Together, we can ensure that the magic of Baroque music continues to inspire for generations to come.
Join the Opera Circle at https://www.arslyricahouston.org/operacircle or visit arslyricahouston.org to learn more.