On April 26, 2024, Houston Grand Opera (HGO) will open classic, family-friendly musical The Sound of Music, with the company’s own chorus director, Richard Bado, at the podium. Taking center stage in this production is Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as Maria and acclaimed baritone Alexander Birch Elliott as Captain von Trapp.  

This beloved work of musical theater features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It shares the story of the von Trapp family and the novice-turned-governess Maria, who brings joy and music into their lives.  

 The Sound of Music/Photo credit: Karli Cadel
 Karli Cadel  

A group of talented Houston-area youths will take on singing roles as the von Trapp children. Last fall, HGO held the largest children’s auditions in company history, during which hundreds of young singers converged upon the Wortham Theater Center in hopes of joining the cast. 

This production represents the first time HGO has staged the perennially popular musical, presented in a new co-production from HGO and The Glimmerglass Festival, created by legendary director Francesca Zambello. Strong demand for tickets has led the company to add a ninth show date.  

The company also has introduced new themed experiences at select performances of the musical—Military Appreciation Day (May 5), Pride Night (May 11), and Mother’s Day (May 12)—featuring a host of lobby activations, special food and drink offerings, and more. For more information, visit HGO.org.  

 The Sound of Music/Photo credit: Karli Cadel
 Karli Cadel  

The performance runs two hours and 48 minutes, including one intermission. It is sung in English with projected English text.  

Friday, April 26, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. 

Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 2 p.m. 

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. 

Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. 

Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 2 p.m. (Military Appreciation Day)  

Friday, May 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.  

Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 1 p.m. 

Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. (Pride Night) 

Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 2 p.m. (Mother’s Day)  

 Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave.  

Tickets range from $25 to $210. For more information and to buy tickets, visit HGO.org or call the Box Office at 713-228-6737. Students with a valid student ID may purchase $20 tickets one month prior to the opening of every performance; see HGO.org/tickets.