Dive into the world of opera with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus! Marvel at famous opera choruses, arias, and duets with the two guest artists, René Vasquez, tenor, and Dominique McCormick, soprano. The concert is on Sunday, October 20th, 2 pm, at the Stafford Centre. 

Hear metal crashing in the “Anvil Chorus” from Verdi’s Il torvatore, marvel at the melody in “Va, Pensiero,” from Nabucco, and be swept away with the glorious Polovtsian Dances from Borodin’s Prince Igor. Soprano Dominique McCormick will be delighting with “Casta Diva” from Norma and Vilja from The Merry Widow. Tenor René Vasquez transports with “Una Furtiva Lagrima” from the Elixer of Love and the thrilling “Granada” by Lara. The two soloists will come together to sing a duet from Bizet’s Carmen, “Parle-moi de ma mère,” and will close out the performance with the chorus in the Brindisi from Verdi’s La Traviata.  

Guest Conductor Julie Sorensen will also join us for this concert. A dynamic conductor, Julie has led orchestras around the country including the Wyoming All-State Orchestra, the Cheyenne Symphony, and the Idaho State-Civic Orchestra. This concert is her professional debut in the Houston area.  

The 2024 HMTA Concerto Competition winners will perform their winning selections at this concert. Elias Yuen, age 11, will perform the third movement of Haydn’s Piano Concerto No. 11 in D Major. High School Sophomore Michelle Hung will be performing the third movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor. Both young performers are poised to dazzle on the keyboard.