Winners to be announced in London April 29
Houston, January 31, 2019— Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has been named to the shortlist for the International Opera Awards. Founded in 2012, the International Opera Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in opera around the world. The awards aim to recognize and reward success in opera while raising the profile of the art form. Monetary prizes associated with the awards support talent from around the world in all aspects of opera. The International Opera Awards Foundation is affiliated with the English magazine Opera; winners are chosen by a jury of industry professionals headed by Opera editor John Allison. Winners will be announced April 29 at a ceremony at Sadler’s Wells in London.
Nominations were submitted for 2019 from people associated with the opera industry around the world. Houston Grand Opera is the only North American company on the 2019 shortlist of six named in the Opera Company category. The list also includes Opéra National de Paris, Gothenburg Opera of Sweden, and companies in Belgium, Austria, and Germany.
“It means a great deal to us that such a prestigious organization recognized the work we did in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey while displaced from our creative home, the Wortham Theater Center. It is a testament to the resilience of our company, Board, and donors, that we were able to continue to produce great opera,” said Managing Director Perryn Leech. HGO
About Houston Grand Opera
Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. HGO is once again the only North American finalist for Opera Company of the Year at the International Opera Awards, repeating their 2017 nomination. In fulfilling its mission to advance the operatic art to serve an ever-evolving audience, HGO has led the field in commissioning new works (65 world premieres to date) and in training and nurturing promising young artists and administrators. The company contributes to the cultural enrichment of Houston and the nation through a diverse and innovative program of performances, community events, and education projects that reaches the widest possible public.
HGO’s pioneering community engagement initiative, HGOco, has served as a model for other arts organizations.
The NEXUS Initiative is HGO’s multiyear ticket underwriting program that allows Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy opera without the barrier of price. Since 2007, NEXUS has enabled more than 250,000 Houstonians to experience superlative opera through discounted single tickets and subscriptions, subsidized student performances, and free productions.
HGO has toured extensively and has won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and three Emmy awards. It is the only opera company to win all three honors.