MUSIC

Opera in the Heights is unique in Houston, because it makes classical opera come alive for everyone—from the opera devotee to the novice. Here, excellence is the essential and the productions are high-energy events in an intimate and unintimidating setting. This is opera for everybody.

Opera in the Heights is proud to present the third opera of its 2009-2010 season, Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball). This timeless tale of power, passion, and politics will thrill you as only Giuseppe Verdi can with this masterpiece. Maestro Weibel has again assembled an outstanding team for this production. January 28 through February 6- love and politics - they cannot mix. Despite good intentions, this ill-fated combination can only spell a bad ending.

Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball), is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi with text by Antonio Somma. The opera's first production was at the Teatro Apollo, Rome, 17 February 1859. The opera is based on the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden, but is not historically accurate. During its composition, Verdi was asked by government censors to make many changes to the opera due to its politically sensitive subject matter. Among these changes is a transportation of the setting to Boston, Massachusetts.

Despite its tragic conclusion, Un ballo in maschera has many moments of the brilliance and irony associated with comedy — a mixture which has led critics to label it "Shakespearean."

Click here for a full synopsis of the opera.

Click here for an essay by the maestro.

The New Year brings a new stage director, Matthew Ferraro. Trained as a dancer, he has worked at Washington National Opera, the Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theater of St. Louis and as a dancer at the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Opera.

Also making their Opera in the Heights debuts are: tenor John Rodger, baritone Kevin Wetzel, soprano Soo-Ah Park, and contralto Kristin Patterson.

Returning favorites include sopranos Kirsten Hoiseth and Lara Tillotson-Joyal, baritone Douglin Murray Schmidt, tenors Jonathan Hodel and George Williams, and bass Daymon Passmore.

Performances will be January 28, 29, 30 and February 4, 5, 6 at 7:30 pm. in Lambert Hall at 1703 Heights Blvd. All performances are in Italian with English surtitles. Tickets are $35 to $45 with seniors at $28 and students at $10. You may purchase tickets online at www.operaintheheights.org  or by phone at 713-861-5303.

Add to your enjoyment - Special Programs:

Come to the Ann Thompson Lecture Series at Houston Piano Company, 1600 West 13th Street, on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 6:00 pm. Meet friends, enjoy a reception, and hear Ann's witty remarks. Free.

Free Dress Rehearsals on January 25 and 26 at 7:00 pm. are open to all. Come see opera being made, take photos, tweet the opera. A great way to try it out! Lambert Hall 1703 Heights Blvd.

Open Reception on January 28 at 6:00 pm at Karen Derr Realty, 1545 Heights Blvd. Have a glass of wine and chat with fellow opening nighters before walking over to the opera. Free.

Daytime Special Performances on February 1 and 2 at 10:30 am in Lambert Hall are only $5.00. They feature principal singers in costume performing the main arias with surtitles, piano accompaniment, and English narration. Popular with young and old alike, a nice morning before lunch.

Come to the Guild Potluck Dinner January 23 at 6:00pm at the Houston Woman's Club, 1846 Harvard Street (the meeting starts at 5:30 pm). Chat, eat, meet the singers and chorus.