What: HOUSTON (January 10th 2019) – Argentina is not the first place you might expect an evening of opera to originate, but it is the setting for Horacio Ferrer and Astor Piazzolla’s María de Buenos Aires, a darkly sensual and seductive tango operita opening at Opera in the Heights Feb. 15th, 17th, 21st and 23rd. The opera, which premiered in 1968, is a collaboration between Piazzolla and Ferrer is an abstract telling of the evolution of tango personified in the character of María.
-
- Photos Credit: Pin Lim
Mezzo-soprano, Sishel Claverie, stars in the role of María. She’s quickly gaining recognition for her winning vocal power and smoky, seductive voice. She also recently performed the title role in Heartbeat Opera’s production of Carmen in NYC, which was praised by the New York Times as “riveting” and considered one of “This Week’s 8 Best Classical Music Moments.”
“This production aims to celebrate Argentina and its community, while also celebrating our heroine who owns her sexuality and finds equality in a world that fights to remain unchanged in how they define women. Listen and surrender to this diva fit for the operatic stage, María,” said Grant Preisser, Stage Director and Production Designer for the Oh! production of María de Buenos Aires.
It is a passionate and highly intimate, shared experience, and this is exactly what Ferrer and Piazzolla have captured through the evocative and beautiful poetry of the sung and spoken word and the lush, rich melodies and orchestration of Piazzolla’s music.
Single Tickets
Ticket prices begin at $45 with discounts for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at www.operaintheheights.org or by phone at 713-861-5303.
Who: Composed by Piazzolla, Stage Direction and Design by Grant Preisser, whose credits include Opera Orlando, Music Academy of the West, Urban Arias and Lawrence Opera Theatre. Conducted by Eiki Isomura, Principal Conductor at Opera in the Heights.
When: Friday, February 15th 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17th at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 21st at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 23rd at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
Why: “There is simply no other piece like it. The music is incredibly stirring, and the poetry is hypnotic. Piazzolla calls it his tango operita (little opera), but it really defies categorization. Our wonderful Oh! Orchestra will transform into a tango orchestra featuring world-class bandoneonista JP Jofre; Maria is the personification of tango, and to see her story unfold through song, as well as dance presented in collaboration with Luna Tango, up close in Lambert Hall will be an unforgettable experience,” said Eiki Isomura, Oh! Artistic Director and Conductor.
About Opera in the Heights
Opera in the Heights is a professional opera company that exists to provide a stage for emerging performers and bring affordable opera to the Greater Houston Area. All operas are fully staged with orchestra and presented in the original language with English translations projected above the stage.