Houston Grand Opera 2014 Season

48 Performances of Eight Operas including American premiere of Holocaust opera The Passenger

Houston Grand Opera’s (HGO) 2013–14 season includes the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s A Coffin in Egypt, based on the play of the same name by renowned Texas writer Horton Foote and starring iconic mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.

Frederica von Stade as Myrtle in Houston Grand Opera's production of A COFFIN IN EGYPT based on renowned Texas writer Horton Foote's play. Photo by Lynn Lane/Houston Grand Opera

Ricky Ian Gordon and Leonard Foglia: A Coffin in Egypt (World Premiere)

A co-production and co-commission of Houston Grand Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the

Frederica von Stade as Myrtle and David Matranga as Hunter in Houston Grand Opera's production of A COFFIN IN EGYPT based on renowned Texas writer Horton Foote's play. Photo by Lynn Lane/Houston Grand Opera

HGO is also proud to present the first in a series of new operas commissioned by the company: Ricky Ian Gordon's A Coffin in Egypt, with a libretto by Leonard Foglia, who will also direct the premiere. One of the world’s most beloved opera stars, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, headlines this moving

monodrama. “This new opera has deep Texas roots,” says Summers. “It is based on a play of the same name by the renowned Texas writer Horton Foote. Ricky Ian Gordon is a very theatrically driven composer with a style that is perfectly suited to opera.”

Houston Grand Opera’s legacy of commissioning and premiering new works goes back more than 40 years, and includes commissions from John Adams, Philip Glass, Daniel Catán, André Previn, Mark Adamo, and Jake Heggie, among others. A Coffin in Egypt will mark HGO’s 52nd world premiere since 1973.

Frederica von Stade as Myrtle in Houston Grand Opera's production of A COFFIN IN EGYPT based on renowned Texas writer Horton Foote's play. Photo by Lynn Lane/Houston Grand Opera

As the first in a series of new HGO commissions, the company presents Ricky Ian Gordon’s A Coffin in Egypt, composed to a libretto by Leonard Foglia, who will direct the stage premiere. A moving melodrama, the opera stars legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, one of opera’s most beloved figures. “This new opera has deep Texas roots,” Patrick Summers explains. “It is based on a play of the same name by the renowned Texas writer Horton Foote. Ricky Ian Gordon is a very theatrically driven composer with a style that is perfectly suited to opera.” Houston Grand Opera’s legacy of commissioning and premiering new works goes back more than forty years and includes commissions from John Adams, Philip Glass, Daniel Catán, André Previn, Mark Adamo, and Jake Heggie. Opening on March 14, A Coffin in Egypt marks HGO’s fifty-third world premiere since 1973.

More information about these upcoming Houston Grand Opera productions is available at the company’s web site: www.HGO.org.

Frederica von Stade as Myrtle and Adam Noble as Captain Lawson in Houston Grand Opera's production of A COFFIN IN EGYPT based on renowned Texas writer Horton Foote's play. Photo by Lynn Lane/Houston Grand Opera

Houston Grand Opera, Spring 2014

* HGO debut
‡ former HGO Studio Artist
† current HGO Studio Artist

Ricky Ian Gordon and Leonard Foglia:

A Coffin in Egypt (World Premiere)
March 14, 16m, 21, 2014

Myrtle Bledsoe..........Frederica von Stade

Composer..........Ricky Ian Gordon

Librettist/Director..........Leonard Foglia

Conductor..........Timothy Myers

Set and Costume Designer..........Riccardo Hernández

Lighting Designer..........Brian Nason

A co-commission and co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Frederica von Stade as Myrtle and Carolyn Johnson as Elsie in Houston Grand Opera's production of A COFFIN IN EGYPT based on renowned Texas writer Horton Foote's play. Photo by Lynn Lane/Houston Grand Opera

Frederica von Stade as Myrtle in Houston Grand Opera's production of A COFFIN IN EGYPT based on renowned Texas writer Horton Foote's play. Photo by Lynn Lane/Houston Grand Opera

Gospel Chorus: Cheryl D. Clansy, Laura Elizabeth Patterson, James M. Winslow, Jawan CM Jenkins in Houston Grand Opera's production of A COFFIN IN EGYPT based on renowned Texas writer Horton Foote's play. Photo by Lynn Lane/Houston Grand Opera