Comedic chamber opera to be released this October
What: On Friday, October 23, Houston Grand Opera presents Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera, a hilarious sendup of the little-known Belgian sport of professional finch-calling by composer David T. Little and librettist Royce Vavrek. Conducted by HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers and co-directed by HGO Studio alumnus Ryan McKinny and General and Artistic Director of OPERA San Antonio E. Loren Meeker, this comic opera in one act is sure to delight audiences.
Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera, will be available to stream for free on HGO Digital for one month following release.
Who: Praised by the Houston Chronicle for her “warm supple soprano” and by the New York Times for her “radiant” and “handsomely resonant voice,” renowned soprano Nicole Heaston will take on the role of Sir Elton John’s Trainer. HGO Studio alumnus and noted bass-baritone Ryan McKinny will sing the role of Atticus Finch’s Trainer as well as co-direct the opera with frequent HGO collaborator E. Loren Meeker. Farinelli’s Trainer will be sung by second year HGO Studio artist, soprano Elena Villalón. She was the Audience Choice Award winner in HGO’s 2019 Eleanor McCollum Competition Concert of Arias. American soprano Alicia Gianni performs the role of Holy St. Francis’s Trainer. Her performances have been described as “charming, impressive” and “powerfully real.” Hailed by the New York Times for his “heart-stirring” singing and “charismatic” stage presence, bass-baritone Kelly Markgraf will sing the role of Prince Gabriel III of Belgium’s Trainer’s Son. Tenor and first year HGO Studio artist Ricardo Garcia will take on the role of Hans Sachs’s Trainer.
When: Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. CT
Where: Stream for free through Marquee TV’s website or app, or through Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and other platforms.
Tariff: Free