Houston Grand Opera presents the highly anticipated world premiere of The Snowy Day at Houston’s Wortham Theater Center Dec. 9 to 19. Created by composer Joel Thompson and librettist Andrea Davis Pinkney, The Snowy Day is based on the classic children’s book by Ezra Jack Keats.
On Dec. 9, a livestream will be presented for free through Jan. 8 on HGO digital.
Written in 1962 and awarded the Caldecott medal in 1963, The Snowy Day broke the color barrier in mainstream publishing by being embraced across ethnic and social lines. It has since become one of the most iconic children’s books of the last century, beloved by generation after generation and included in the Library of Congress’s list of books that have shaped America, honored by the United States Postal Service with a series of stamps, and ranked as the most checked-out book in the 125-year history of the New York Public Library. Both book and opera recount the adventures of young Peter after he wakes up to the first snow of winter—the first winter when his parents have promised to let him play in the snow by himself. He sets off to explore, getting into adventures and learning lessons along the way.
The Snowy Day marks HGO’s 72nd world premiere. The idea for an opera based on the book began to take shape after soprano Julia Bullock brought the idea to HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers six years ago. Deborah Pope, executive director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, came on board, and she put bestselling author Pinkney’s name forward as a potential librettist during the preliminary stages of the opera’s creation. Pinkney, who in 2016 had authored A Poem for Peter, an homage to Keats and the legacy of his beloved protagonist, signed on to adapt the story for the stage. In the summer of 2017, Summers recruited Thompson for the project, knowing the brilliant young composer would be the perfect fit to breathe new life into the story of Peter.
“I’m grateful to be among such a brilliant team of creators,” says Pinkney. ”The Snowy Day brings a vivid dimension to opera by expanding the canvas on Ezra Jack Keats’ classic, while, at the same time, honoring Keats’ artistic intention—to invite diverse audiences into a vibrant storytelling experience. Joel Thompson’s musical genius brings it all alive.”
“The goal of everything I’ve ever written bends toward what’s going to happen on stage with The Snowy Day, where a little Black boy can wander in the snow, learn about himself, learn about the world, be safe, be happy, and connect with others regardless of background, or ethnicity, or any other differences,” says Thompson. “I hope audience members can see themselves in Peter and his friends and reconnect to their inner child.”
The world premiere opera was originally slated to debut in December 2020, but was delayed due to COVID-19 and the subsequent cancellation of all in-person performances for HGO’s 2020-21 season. As part of the company’s alternative HGO Digital 2020-21 season, the company presented a documentary, The Making of The Snowy Day: An Opera for All, which details the extraordinary process of creating the new work during a global pandemic.
“After the last two years of delays, we are thrilled to finally present The Snowy Day on the Wortham stage. It has been an honor to work with this superb creative team and cast to bring this historic book to life,” says Summers. “Composers like Joel Thompson find universality, yet they are also totally unique. His music is already universal, very assured, and honest even at his young age, and music emanates from every aspect of his existence.”
”The Snowy Day was groundbreaking in so many ways, and we are very proud to continue the legacy of this treasured book,” says Khori Dastoor, HGO’s General Director and CEO. “We are dedicated to embracing our beautifully diverse community, and to celebrating the stories that unite us, while allowing all who live here to see themselves reflected back from the stage. Our mission centers on advancing opera as an art form and building the diverse audiences of tomorrow.”
For the family-friendly opera’s world premiere, HGO Studio artist and soprano Raven McMillon performs the role of Peter alongside a cast predominantly consisting of current and previous HGO Studio artists including Nicholas Newton, Elena Villalón, Blake Denson, Cory McGee and Ricardo Garcia. Critically acclaimed American soprano Karen Slack will sing the role of Mama, and Cuban-American tenor Andres Acosta will perform the role of Papi. December 15 and December 16 will feature alternate casts.
The opera’s team includes set designer Amy Rubin, costume designer Jessica Jahn, lighting designer Michael James Clark, choreographer Courtney Jones and HGO Dramaturg Jeremy Johnson. Director and frequent HGO collaborator Omer Ben Seadia brings the wonder and magic of a young boy’s wintry world to life. HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers conducts.
The Snowy Day jumps off the page and onto the stage in large part due to HGO’s incredible production funders, including Mr. and Mrs. William V. Morgan, The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, The Humphreys Foundation, The Cullen Foundation, Mrs. Robin Angly & Mr. Miles Smith, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Bank of America, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ziegler, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Petrello, Ms. Kiana K. Caleb and Mr. Troy L. Sullivan, The Powell Foundation, H-E-B, Ms. Marsha L. Montemayor, Shell Oil Company Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, and Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Loperena.