Dare to Enter…Bluebeard’s Castle

On Feb. 15 & 16, the Houston Symphony presents Duke Bluebeard’s Castle featuring world-renowned singers Gábor Bretz and Ekaterina Gubanova. In this post, discover the dark secrets that lie behind Bartók’s fascinating operatic masterpiece. Get tickets and more information here. Duke Bluebeard’s Castle is a miraculous accomplishment. The first efforts of most opera composers (Wagner, Verdi, … Continued

A Messiah for the New Millennium: John Adams’ El Niño

On May 25 & 26 the Houston Symphony presents John Adams’ El Niño, an opera-oratorio written to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium in 2000. In this post, discover the diverse texts—ranging from Christian apocrypha to 20th century Mexican feminist poetry—that retell the Christmas story in this modern masterpiece. In 1999, the Théâtre du … Continued

Wheel of Fortune: Orff’s Carmina Burana

On April 26, 27 & 28 the Houston Symphony presents Carl Orff’s spectacular masterpiece, Carmina Burana. In this post, discover how a once-obscure medieval tome inspired one of the most popular pieces of music of all time. Get tickets and more information here. On March 29, 1934, Carl Orff received a much anticipated parcel with … Continued

Hallelujah for Handel! The Making of a Christmas Tradition

Best known for the famous Hallelujah Chorus, Handel’s Messiah is one of the most performed pieces of classical music in history. Get ready for the Houston Symphony’s annual presentation of this masterpiece. By the time George Frederick Handel began composing Messiah in 1741, he was at the height of his powers, recognized as one of London’s leading … Continued

The Greece of My Dreams: Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé Suite No. 2

The idea for a ballet based on Daphnis and Chloe (an ancient Greek love story attributed to Longus) originated with the Russian choreographer Michel Fokine. He first proposed the subject to the Director of the Russian Imperial Theaters, but it was not until Fokine became involved with Sergei Diaghilev’s groundbreaking Ballets russes in Paris that … Continued

The Sound of Christmas: John Williams’s Score to Home Alone

On December 3, the Houston Symphony presents Home Alone—Film with Live Orchestra. Our Grammy® Award-winning Recording Engineer and resident film music buff Brad Sayles explores how John Williams masterfully scored this holiday classic. Imagine being asked to score a Christmas film. A few well-known carols will appear throughout, but the true soundtrack must define the … Continued

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