HGO's Concert of Arias Celebrates Rising Stars, Offers Notes of Hope

Priscilla Dickson
HGO's Concert of Arias Celebrates Rising Stars, Offers Notes of Hope

Event chairs Jack Roth and Liz Grimm with first-place winner Navasard Hakobyan

WIDELY KNOWN FOR cultivating and championing young artists, the Houston Grand Opera on Friday hosted its 34th annual Concert of Arias, a vocal competition followed by a seated dinner and celebration of the winners.


A panel of judges — soprano Christine Goerke; HGO’s new general director and CEO ,Khori Dastoor; its music director, Patrick Summers; and its artistic advisor, Ana María Martínez — watched and listened to the talented budding stars from across the globe belt out their best on the Wortham Theater’s Cullen Stage. They awarded cash prizes to four artists, including Armenian baritone Navasard Hakobyan, who took home the grand prize of $10,000.

A livestream version of the showcase was also available, and those who tuned in could even cast their vote for the Online Viewers’ Choice Award, which went to soprano Olivia Smith.

After the conclusion of the competition, a seated dinner was held in the Wortham’s Grand Foyer, which was decked out by The Events Company, who brought in beautiful blooms and spring greens that elicited feelings of hopefulness for a brighter year.

Ana Maria Martinez and Gabriel Attal

Warren and Rachel Ellsworth

Bill Brown and Patricia Holmes

Omar Chaabi, Lulu Tan, Hugh Zhang, Kathy and Marty Goossen

Dreyvon Anderson and Allyson Pritchett

Myrtle Jones and Candice Penelton

Mark Clemens and Anne Tsao

Lindy and John Rydman

Elizabeth and Richard Husseini

Emily Bivona and Ryan Manser

Duke and CC Ensell

Brian McCulloch and Jeremy Garcia

Finalist Tatiana Carlos soprano with Lulu Tan

Parties
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less