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
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Fady Armanious, Brigitte Kalai AND Alicia Smit (photo by Priscilla Dickson) 
