The production that captivated audiences this winter returns
for two special nights under the stars
What: Houston Grand Opera (HGO) will present two free performances of Puccini’s stunning masterpiece, Madame Butterfly, at Miller Outdoor Theatre on Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18.
HGO’s popular outdoor performances allow Houstonians to experience superlative opera in a casual, relaxed setting that’s appropriate for the entire family. This production of Madame Butterfly, presented at the Wortham Theater Center in winter 2024, became one of HGO’s top-selling shows in well over a decade. Now, seasoned operagoers and newcomers alike can be swept away by award-winning director Michael Grandage’s acclaimed production, all at no cost.
The outdoor revival will be led by soprano Raquel González as the doomed Cio-Cio-San and tenor Eric Taylor as faithless U.S. Navy lieutenant Pinkerton, with baritone Navasard Hakobyan as the U.S. consulate Sharpless and mezzo-soprano Emily Treigle as Butterfly’s faithful servant, Suzuki. HGO Resident Conductor Teddy Poll takes the podium for this sublime three-act tragedy about love, betrayal, and heartbreak.
The opera runs for two hours and 32 minutes with one intermission. It is sung in Italian with projected English translation.
Miller Outdoor Theatre, located inside Houston’s crown jewel, Hermann Park, offers both a covered seating area and space on its iconic hill, where groups set up with picnic chairs, blankets, picnics, and drinks (alcohol is allowed, but no glass containers). Concessions are also available.
The HGO Customer Care team will be out in force both Friday and Saturday evening, and invites all Houstonians to say hello, learn more about HGO, and enjoy photo-ops and other fun interactive activities.
Who: The cast features soprano Raquel González as Cio-Cio-San, tenor Eric Taylor as Pinkerton, and tenor Steven Cole as Goro, performing alongside Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio members including mezzo-soprano Emily Treigle as Suzuki and baritone Navasard Hakobyan as Sharpless. Kaley Karis Smith directs the revival of Michael Grandage’s celebrated production, with Teddy Poll at the podium.
When: Friday, May 17, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr.
Tariff: HGO season subscribers receive reserved seating under the covered area as a benefit to their subscription; contact Customer Care at CustomerCare@HGO.org or 713-228-6737. Additional tickets for the covered seating area at Miller Outdoor Theatre are free and will be made available at 10:00 a.m. the day prior to each performance at the Miller website or box office. Seating on the hill is also free and open to the public. For more information on tickets and seating, visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
Images: Photos from Madame Butterfly photos from HGO’s winter 2024 production at Wortham Theater Center here. Photo credit: Michael Bishop.
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. General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor assumed leadership of the organization and responsibility for its strategic vision in 2021. HGO was the only American finalist for Opera Company of the Year in the 2019 International Opera Awards, and the only American company to be nominated twice. In fulfilling its mission to advance the operatic art, to serve the Houston community, and to be a global leader in the future of opera, HGO has led the field in commissioning and producing new works (76 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 and Learning initiative has served as a model for other arts organizations. The company invites all Houstonians to experience superlative opera without the barrier of price 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.
