The water nymph Rusalka wants nothing more than to live on land with the Prince. To get her wish, she agrees to a fateful spell by a witch. In Dvořák’s hands, the timeless fairy tale of a woman who trades her voice for love is rendered in a powerful, otherworldly fable—a drama of shadowy depths, fervent love songs and endings that may not be what they seem. Conductor: Charles Mackerras December 1995 Overture Rusalka’s motif Act 1 Rusalka’s motif Act 3 “Hou, hou, hou”: Nicolle Foland, Kristin Clayton, Pamela Dillard Song to the Moon: Renée Fleming Act 2 ballet “Proč volal jsi mne”: Renée Fleming “Líbej mne, líbej mír přej!”: William Burden Act 3 finale
The water nymph Rusalka wants nothing more than to live on land with the Prince. To get her wish, she agrees to a fateful spell by a witch. In Dvořák’s hands, the timeless fairy tale of a woman who trades her voice for love is rendered in a powerful, otherworldly fable—a drama of shadowy depths, fervent love songs and endings that may not be what they seem. Conductor: Charles Mackerras December 1995 Overture Rusalka’s motif Act 1 Rusalka’s motif Act 3 “Hou, hou, hou”: Nicolle Foland, Kristin Clayton, Pamela Dillard Song to the Moon: Renée Fleming Act 2 ballet “Proč volal jsi mne”: Renée Fleming “Líbej mne, líbej mír přej!”: William Burden Act 3 finale
Trapped inside his war-torn mind in a military hospital during WWII, the pilot Orlando can’t tell reality from delusion. As he struggles to trust his own perceptions and journey to a clearer world, his trauma ricochets on the people around him—putting love and honor to the test. Conductor: Charles Mackerras September 1985 “Consolati, o bella”: Ruth Ann Swenson, Valerie Masterson, Jeffrey Gall “Gieroglifici eterni”: Kevin Langan “Stimulato dalla gloria”: Marilyn Horne “Fammi combattere”: Marilyn Horne “Già latra Cerbero”: Marilyn Horne “Già l’ebro mio ciglio”: Marilyn Horne “O care parolette”: Ruth Ann Swenson “Così giusta è questa speme”: Valerie Masterson “Verdi allori”: Jeffrey Gall “Sorge infausta”: Kevin Langan “Trionfa oggi ‘l mio cor”: Marilyn Horne, Ruth Ann Swenson, Valerie Masterson, Jeffrey Gall, Kevin Langan
George Bailey stands on a snowy bridge at Christmas and contemplates his end. An angel training for her wings hears his plea and journeys through his memories to save his soul. Based on Frank Capra’s beloved film, this timeless story of second chances debuts just in time for the holiday season. Conductor: Patrick Summers December 2016 “What’d you wish for Mary?”: William Burden, Andrea Carroll “Mustn’t fail”: Talise Trevigne “No one is a failure who has friends”: Full Cast, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus Special permission by Jake Heggie, Pentatone American Operas and Naxos of America, Inc.
Set amid the society parlors and costume balls of Vienna’s Golden Age, Strauss’ romantic comedy of errors is an exquisite fairy tale about a young woman’s journey to find her soulmate. Conductor: Wolfgang Rennert November 1980 Beginning of Act 1: Sona Cervena, Rebecca Cook “Mag sich plagen”: Erie Mills “Aber der Richtige”: Kiri Te Kanawa, Barbara Daniels “Und du wirst mein Geliebte sein”: Kiri Te Kanawa “Über seine Felder”: Kiri Te Kanawa
Corruption permeates every corner of Rome under Scarpia, the chief of police. When the fiery diva Tosca finds herself the target of his lust, she takes a stand in the name of all she holds sacred—art, freedom and a boundless commitment to love. Conductor: Ricardo Frizza October 2014 “Vissi d’arte”: Lianna Haroutounian “Te Deum”: Mark Delavan Finale Torture scene: Lianna Haroutounian, Mark Delavan “E lucevan le stelle”: Brian Jagde
Queen Elizabeth’s rule over her nation is ironclad, but a secret passion threatens to consume her. At court, the Earl of Essex faces whispers of treason amidst rumors about his relationship with the Queen. She must decide whether to sign his death warrant in an impossible choice between love and country. Conductor: Gianfranco Masini September 1979 “Il vero intesti:” Carlo Bini, Stefania Toczyska “Va, va la morte sul capo ti pende”: Montserrat Caballé, Carlo Bini, Juan Pons Beginning of Act 1, Scene 2 “L’amor suo mi fe’ beata”: Montserrat Caballé Act 3 trio: Montserrat Caballé, Carlo Bini, Juan Pons “Quel sangue versato”: Montserrat Caballé
Set in the colorful heart of the Italian Quarter in Buenos Aires, this gripping double feature seethes with raw passion, jealousy and heartbreak that can only result from a scandalous, small-town affair. “Cavalleria Rusticana” Conductor: Marco Armiliato September 2003 Intermezzo “Inneggiamo”: Andrea Gruber “Pagliacci” Conductor: Marco Armiliato September 2003 “No, Pagliaccio non son”: Jon Fredric West Love duet: Catherine Naglestad, James Westman “Vesti la giubba”: Jon Fredric West
Conductor: Wolfgang Rennert November 1980 Beginning of Act 3 from “Arabella”