Houston Grand Opera Announces Chorus Auditions For 2009-10

The Houston Grand Opera Association announces chorus auditions for its 2009-2010 season.

Auditions will be held at the Wortham Theater Center, 510 Preston on: Wednesday, May 6 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Thursday, May 7 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Friday, May 8 6:00 pm - 10:00 pmSaturday, May 9 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Houston Grand Opera Chorus is a professional group of diverse men and women of all professionsand backgrounds. Choristers rehearse weekday evenings and weekends for each repertory period. In the 2009-2010 season, a new chorister could earn $2000.00 per production.

The 2009-2010 season productions in which the chorus will participate are:The Elixir of Love Lohengrin Tosca The Queen of Spades Xerxes Auditions should include two arias of contrasting style, tempo, in original language, and by memory.

Operatic repertoire is preferred, but standard oratorio selections will be accepted. Sight reading may berequested. The HGO will provide an accompanist, but singers are required to bring their own music.

Singers who wish to arrange an audition should contact the Houston Grand Opera Rehearsal Departmentat (713) 980-8679 after April 1, 2009. Since its inception in 1955, Houston Grand Opera has swiftly grown from a small regional organization into an internationally renowned opera company.

The company has a reputation for commissioning and producing new works, including 38 world premieres and six American premieres since 1973. In addition to producing and performing world-class opera, HGO contributes to the cultural enrichment of Houston and the nation through a diverse,innovative and balanced program of performances, events, community and education projects that reaches the widest possible public.

HGO has toure dextensively, including trips to Europe and Asia, and it is the only opera company to have won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and two Emmy awards. HGO'sperformances are broadcast nationally on the WFMT Radio Network, as well as internationally via the European Broadcasting Union, and the AustralianBroadcasting Corporation.