MUSIC

Houston Grand Opera presents the  20th Annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers Concert of Arias, Thursday, February 5, at 7:30pm at the Wortham Theater Center - Cullen Theater.

Whether you sing or not, you can make your voice heard at the 20th Annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers Concert of Arias on February 5. After hearing some of the finest young talent in the US, you’ll have the opportunity to cast your ballot for the Audience Choice Award.

In the heart of winter, on February 5, 2009, Concert of Arias – 20th Annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers celebrates its emerald anniversary as an important recruiting and fundraising vehicle for HGO's internationally renowned young artist training program, the Houston Grand Opera Studio.

Concert of Arias 2009 honors longtime Studio supporters Sandy and Lee Godfrey, and is chaired by Beverly and Staman Ogilvie. The competition is held in the Cullen Theater of the Wortham Theater Center followed by a Celebration Dinner in the Grand Foyer. 

Four cash prizes will be awarded onstage, and each singer is also considered for available positions in the Houston Grand Opera Studio. So, bring a friend and be prepared to enjoy this exciting artistic event, which is also the year’s most important fundraiser for Houston Grand Opera’s acclaimed young artist training program.

Concert of Arias is the focal point of a months-long process. During the fall, Houston Grand Opera Studio Director Laura Canning and Studio Music Director Kathleen Kelly traveled all over the US to audition young singers. From approximately 500, they identified 18 semi-finalists who will come to Houston the first week of February for further rounds of music and drama auditions. From that group, eight to ten finalists will be chosen to compete in Concert of Arias.

Don't miss this special opportunity to see some of the best emerging operatic talent competing for major prizes and fellowships.