Houston Grand Opera Announces Cast Substitution

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) announces that baritone Mariusz Kwiecie , scheduled to sing the role of Zurga in Bizet's The Pearl Fishers, recently withdrew from the production due to personal circumstances.

Alexander Birch Elliott, who is making his HGO debut, will take on the role of Zurga for the upcoming production. Directed by E. Loren Meeker and designed by Zandra Rhodes, this HGO premiere production of The Pearl Fishers opens Friday, January 25, 2019.

Alexander Birch Elliott made an acclaimed Metropolitan Opera debut earlier this season, also in the role of Zurga in The Pearl Fishers. Other engagements this season include a return to Opera Omaha for his role debut as Silvio in Pagliacci, his debut with the Cleveland Orchestra for Vaughan Williams's Five Mystical Songs, and returns to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as Brander in Berlioz's La damnation de Faust and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for Bruckner's Te Deum.

To learn more about The Pearl Fishers or the purchase tickets, visit: HGO.org

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. HGO was the only American finalist for Opera Company of the Year at the 2017 International Opera Awards. In fulfilling its mission to advance the operatic art to serve an ever-evolving audience, HGO has led the field in commissioning new works (65 world premieres to date) and in training and nurturing promising young artists and administrators. The company contributes to the cultural enrichment of Houston and the nation through a diverse and innovative program of performances, community events, and education projects that reaches the widest possible public. HGO's pioneering community engagement initiative, HGOco, has served as a model for other arts organizations.

HGO has toured extensively and has won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and three Emmy awards. It is the only opera company to win all three honors.