Houston Grand Opera (HGO) celebrated the opening of its 63rd season with a new production of Verdi’s beloved La traviata immediately followed by a late night dinner celebration chaired by Kristina and Paul Somerville.

Inspired to celebrate the resilience of the opera company in its against-all-odds relocation outside of HGO’s Harvey-ravaged Wortham Theater Center home, more than 400 guests and La traviata cast members reveled in the spirit of the evening, toasting to the themes of HoUSton Strong and “the show will go on!” HGO Managing Director Perryn Leech welcomed patrons with heartfelt thanks, followed by Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers introducing the internationally acclaimed La traviata cast, led by soprano Albina Shagimuratova, tenor Dimitri Pittas, and baritone George Petean. The opening night event raised over $450,000.

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A foyer on the 2nd level of the convention center, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Discovery Green, was the site of an elegantly vibrant, jewel-toned fête—one that Violetta might have hosted in her glittering Paris maison—and inspired by the lavishly colorful creations of the production’s costume and puppet designer, Cait O’Connor.

Catering, provided by Levy’s, included a baby arugula salad accented with marcona almonds, cambazola, and heirloom grape tomatoes with a Meyer lemon vinaigrette and truffled honey drizzle. The entrée was a roasted veal chop served with dauphinoise potatoes, baby carrot, grilled asparagus, wilted spinach, and wild mushroom demi. The delightful Camellia Cake dessert was sprinkled with candied rose petal garnish —a nod to Violetta’s wilting flower.   

Auction:

To support fundraising efforts, a fixed price auction included the coveted experience of conducting the HGO Orchestra in the Star Spangled Banner on next season’s opening night, an occasion that will  carry extra meaning as HGO takes the stage back in the Wortham for the first time in over a year. Also auctioned were the opportunity to underwrite HGOco’s next bi-lingual Opera to Go! production of Cinderella in Spain, and jewelry donated by Tenenbaum Jewelers. Guests also got to “HONK for  HGOco” by donating $500 towards replacing the company’s production vehicles that were destroyed by Harvey, leaving HGO’s school and community programs stranded. Each donor took home a keepsake matchbox version of the HGOco vans.

Guests:           

Molly and HGO Board Chairman James Crownover, Zane and Brady Carruth, Pat Breen, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Celina Hellmund and Gabriel Castello, Beth Madison, John Turner and Jerry Fischer, Caroline and HGO Managing Director Perryn Leech, HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers and Beau Miller, Franci Neely, Liz Grimm and Jack Roth, Robin Angly and Miles Smith, Anna and Joel Catalano, Bobbie-Vee and Jerry Cooney, Diane Lokey Farb, Sallymoon Benz, Rini and Ed Ziegler, Sara and Gabriel Loperena, Katherine Thomasson and Michael Talbot, Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg, Glen Rosenbaum, Kristina Somerville, Dian and Harlan Stai, Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniel, and Lynn Wyatt.