John Doyle, Michael Grandage, Anthony Dean Griffey, Frederica von Stade et al. Set for Houston Grand Opera Season

Houston Grand Opera has announced selections for its 2010-2011 season, with all performances taking place at the Wortham Theater Center.

Tony nominee Michael Grandage, soon to return to Broadway at the helm of Red, will direct a new production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly as the season opener, October 22-November 5. Ana María Martínez will star as Cio-Cio-San, with Joseph Calleja as Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton. The production will be designed by Christopher Oram, with lighting by Neil Austin.

Anthony Dean Griffey will play the title role in Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes (October 29-November 12), with the cast also including Katie Van Kooten as Ellen Orford, Christopher Purves as Captain Balstrode, Meredith Arwady as Auntie, Catherine Wyn-Rogers as Mrs. Sedley, and Patrick Carfizzi as Swallow. Tony Award nominee Neil Armfield directs.

Leonard Foglia will helm a production of Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s
Dead Man Walking (January 22-February 6), with the cast including legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade in what’s billed as her farewell to the operatic stage. The company also includes Joyce DiDonato , Philip Cutlip, and Measha Brueggergosman. The production will be conducted by Patrick Summers.

Tony winner John Doyle will direct Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor (January 28-February 11), with the cast including Albina Shagimuratova, Scott Hendricks, Dimitri Pittas, and Matthew Rose. Liz Ascroft will design the production, which will be conducted by Antonino Fogliani.

The season will also include Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (April 15-30) and Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos (April 29-May 10).

For more information, visit www.HoustonGrandOpera.org.