Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 – Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020

06:30 PM – 07:30 PM
US/Central

As part of its “Seeking the Human Spirit” initiative, Houston Grand Opera presents an evening of lecture, poetry, art, and music. This multidisciplinary event reflects the crossroads of culture, identity, and faith in 14th-century Spain.

“The Arts of Intimacy” draws inspiration from HGO’s production of La favorite and the book The Arts of Intimacy: Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the Making of Castilian Culture. The opera focuses on a love triangle among a noblewoman, king, and warrior—which unfolds amidst the Arab occupation of 14th-century Iberia and the power struggles between church and state.

Lecture
• Maya Soifir-Irish, Rice University professor, on interfaith relations of the period

Poetry
• Tamara Al-Qaisi-Coleman, writer and artist
• Leslie Contreras Schwartz, Houston poet laureate

Music
• Kyle Comer, musician (guitar)
• Michael Fares, musician (oud)
• Chabrelle Williams, soprano

Drop in! This event is free. On Thursdays, Museum general admission is free, courtesy of Shell Oil Company. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

About “Seeking the Human Spirit” 

This six-year (2017–23), multidisciplinary initiative is designed to highlight the universal spiritual themes raised in opera and to expand and deepen Houstonians’ connections to opera and to art. The 2019–20 season focuses on the theme “Identity.”

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