University of Houston Athletics
TDECU Stadium: Home to the Opera
5/7/2021 9:40:00 AM | General
For one night only, TDECU Stadium will be transformed into an opera house to host the Houston Grand Opera
HOUSTON – A typical Saturday night inside TDECU Stadium is filled with the loud noise of a cheering crowd and bands playing.
But this Saturday night, TDECU Stadium will be transformed from its home of the gridiron to an opera house thanks in part to a unique partnership with Houston Athletics, the University of Houston's Kathrine G. McGovern College of Arts and the Houston Grand Opera.
My Favorite Things: Songs from The Sound of Music will mark the Houston Grand Opera's first live performance in over a year and providing the audience with a socially-distanced experience inside TDECU Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.
"I could not be more excited to reunite at University of Houston with our audiences," said HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. "There is nothing in this world like being in the physical presence of incredible operatic voices. I've missed it so much, and I know our audiences have too. But this time, opera artists won't be the only ones singing. We'll all be joining together, singing these iconic songs that celebrate unity and perseverance. I can think of nothing more appropriate after all this time apart."
After cancelling its entire 2020-21 season, HGO started to search throughout the city of Houston for a viable partner to host a major event in safe and socially distanced atmosphere. Luckily, that is where the University of Houston and the athletics department jumped in to assist.
TDECU Stadium became the perfect destination.
"HGO is one of the world's great opera companies, and we couldn't be more excited for them to be partnering with the University of Houston on this event," Andrew Davis, Founding Dean of the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, said. "We are just as excited about their return to live performance as we know they are."
This is just one of the latest special events to be hosted inside a UH athletics venue in the last three years. The Fertitta Center has hosted countless and memorable events since its opening in 2018; including the Harlem Globetrotters, Professional Bull Riding, graduations and concerts to name just a few. With Live events returning and being hosted around the country, UH athletics venues are ramping-up with a busy events summer schedule; including but not limited to, Houston Grand Opera and graduations in May along with Harlem Globetrotters and AEW All-Elite Wrestling events to be held in the Fertitta Center in August.
TDECU Stadium has also previously served as the host for the XFL's Houston Roughnecks and hosted various concerts and festivals. More special events are likely to come back to the venue in the future.
But an opportunity to showcase the UH campus and athletics facilities to a new segment of the population is something that UH Vice President of Athletics Chris Pezman could not pass up.
"We are excited to host such a prestigious event at TDECU Stadium and to have the opportunity to partner with the College of Arts for this exciting campus-wide initiative," Pezman said. "We look forward to welcoming new visitors to our campus and showcasing our state-of-the-art facilities, while supporting the arts and our local community."
While joining forces with the University of Houston, HGO will offer a fun participatory experience for the entire family to enjoy. Concurrent to the singalong at the university's TDECU Stadium, the company will host a special socially distanced fundraising event for supporters.
Tickets for adults start at $10, while prices for students and children are $7.50. To purchase tickets, click here.
But this Saturday night, TDECU Stadium will be transformed from its home of the gridiron to an opera house thanks in part to a unique partnership with Houston Athletics, the University of Houston's Kathrine G. McGovern College of Arts and the Houston Grand Opera.
My Favorite Things: Songs from The Sound of Music will mark the Houston Grand Opera's first live performance in over a year and providing the audience with a socially-distanced experience inside TDECU Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.
"I could not be more excited to reunite at University of Houston with our audiences," said HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. "There is nothing in this world like being in the physical presence of incredible operatic voices. I've missed it so much, and I know our audiences have too. But this time, opera artists won't be the only ones singing. We'll all be joining together, singing these iconic songs that celebrate unity and perseverance. I can think of nothing more appropriate after all this time apart."
After cancelling its entire 2020-21 season, HGO started to search throughout the city of Houston for a viable partner to host a major event in safe and socially distanced atmosphere. Luckily, that is where the University of Houston and the athletics department jumped in to assist.
TDECU Stadium became the perfect destination.
"HGO is one of the world's great opera companies, and we couldn't be more excited for them to be partnering with the University of Houston on this event," Andrew Davis, Founding Dean of the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, said. "We are just as excited about their return to live performance as we know they are."
This is just one of the latest special events to be hosted inside a UH athletics venue in the last three years. The Fertitta Center has hosted countless and memorable events since its opening in 2018; including the Harlem Globetrotters, Professional Bull Riding, graduations and concerts to name just a few. With Live events returning and being hosted around the country, UH athletics venues are ramping-up with a busy events summer schedule; including but not limited to, Houston Grand Opera and graduations in May along with Harlem Globetrotters and AEW All-Elite Wrestling events to be held in the Fertitta Center in August.
TDECU Stadium has also previously served as the host for the XFL's Houston Roughnecks and hosted various concerts and festivals. More special events are likely to come back to the venue in the future.
But an opportunity to showcase the UH campus and athletics facilities to a new segment of the population is something that UH Vice President of Athletics Chris Pezman could not pass up.
"We are excited to host such a prestigious event at TDECU Stadium and to have the opportunity to partner with the College of Arts for this exciting campus-wide initiative," Pezman said. "We look forward to welcoming new visitors to our campus and showcasing our state-of-the-art facilities, while supporting the arts and our local community."
While joining forces with the University of Houston, HGO will offer a fun participatory experience for the entire family to enjoy. Concurrent to the singalong at the university's TDECU Stadium, the company will host a special socially distanced fundraising event for supporters.
Tickets for adults start at $10, while prices for students and children are $7.50. To purchase tickets, click here.
About Houston Grand Opera
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 in the 2019 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 (70 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.
The NEXUS Initiative is HGO's multiyear ticket underwriting program that allows Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy opera without the barrier of price. Since 2007, NEXUS has enabled more than 250,000 Houstonians to experience superlative opera through discounted single tickets and subscriptions, subsidized student performances, and free productions.
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.
The NEXUS Initiative is HGO's multiyear ticket underwriting program that allows Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy opera without the barrier of price. Since 2007, NEXUS has enabled more than 250,000 Houstonians to experience superlative opera through discounted single tickets and subscriptions, subsidized student performances, and free productions.
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.
About Houston Athletics
The University of Houston Department of Athletics sponsors 17 Division I sport programs and more than 400 student-athletes. It has been a proud member of The American Athletic Conference since the league's inception in 2013-14, claiming 28 conference championships and heightening its brand on a national stage during that time. The department claims 17 national championships, 156 conference championships and 1,040 All-Americans.
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