The highly anticipated opera premieres at The Wortham Theater Center and in homes on December 9
With excitement building as the world premiere of The Snowy Day nears, Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is proud to announce the Opening Night livestream of this new company-commissioned work. Continuing its mission of breaking down barriers to the artform, this historic moment for the company arrives just in time for the holidays.
On December 9, HGO will not only premiere highly anticipated opera The Snowy Day, but the company also will make it accessible to all—for free. Audiences around the world are invited to celebrate HGO’s momentous Opening Night through HGO Digital. The Snowy Day will launch live on December 9, 2021, and will be available for streaming until January 8, 2022; the Opening Night livestream is a first for the organization.
“Not only is The Snowy Day a truly magical new opera, it is the exact kind of work that breaks down barriers to the artform and attracts diverse audiences to HGO,” says General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor. “Because of that, we want to share its world premiere with as many people as possible, inside and outside the Wortham, in person and digitally. Our plans to stream The Snowy Day are true to our mission of creating accessibility around opera, and we could not be more excited about this opportunity.”
Created by composer Joel Thompson and librettist Andrea Davis Pinkney, and based on the classic children’s book by Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day follows the sweet adventures of a young Black child named Peter as he sets out to explore the city following a fresh snowfall. The beautiful, family-friendly opera marks HGO’s 72nd world premiere. The work was originally slated to debut in December 2020, but unfortunately was delayed due to COVID-19. As part of the company’s alternative HGO Digital 2020-21 season, the company presented a documentary on the new work, The Making of The Snowy Day: An Opera for All.
“We are so proud of this new opera and were devasted last year when we had to cancel,” says HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. “It is our first commission from a Black composer and librettist team—Joel Thompson and Andrea Davis Pinkney—and these brilliant artists have created something truly special. It is our wish that as many people as possible get to experience it.”
In addition to the excitement of the world premiere and livestream, HGO, along with Houston Ballet and Houston First, will host the Winter Wonderland on Fish Plaza of The Wortham Theater Center. Houstonians are invited to enjoy a fresh coat of snow on the plaza, purchase hot cocoa and light bites from Koffeteria, and enjoy the magic of the evening.
For more information about The Snowy Day livestream or to purchase tickets to see the opera at the Wortham, visit HGO.org/SnowyDay. More information about the launch of HGO Digital will be announced soon.