The Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is just an Oscar away from a full EGOT. The company took home the 2026 Grammy for Best Opera Recording for Intelligence — a high-stakes, Civil War-era spy thriller. Every opera lover can find the album on Apple Music or Spotify, and it’s worth a listen because the HGO is the only opera company in the world to win a Tony Award, three Emmy Awards, and three Grammy Awards! This HGO-commissioned opera was created by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer in collaboration with director and choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.
“We’re beaming with pride to see our city celebrated on the world stage today,” says HGO General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor. For Dastoor, this isn’t just about the trophy; it’s a "bold affirmation of what Houston Grand Opera stands for—creativity, artistic excellence, and the power of American opera." She’s the first to point out that it took a village (and a very talented one) to make this happen. “This award belongs to our brilliant cast, our virtuosic orchestra, Maestro Kwamé Ryan, and every artist and collaborator who brought this remarkable story to life,” she adds.
The album itself features stars like Janai Brugger and Jamie Barton as a pair of unlikely secret agents during the Civil War. It was recorded live at the Wortham Theater Center during the opera’s world premiere run in 2023 and released in August 2025 — a feat made even more impressive by the fact that it is the label’s debut album. Dastoor notes, “Intelligence was the very first release on our new label, and there is much more to come.”
This isn’t just a one-off win; it’s part of a big, exciting push to get Houston’s best performances onto everyone’s playlists. HGO is busy building a whole library of both brand-new hits and remastered classics to ensure these stories live on. This year, opera fans can look forward to Florencia en el Amazonas dropping in May, the first-ever recording of the gritty Breaking the Waves coming in August, and a future release for the fan-favorite mariachi opera El Milagro del Recuerdo. With a stacked lineup of new releases, Houston Grand Opera is making Houston the coolest place on the global opera map.
Visitors and locals alike are discovering what those in international cultural circles have known for years: to experience the finest performing arts in the world, you need look no further than Houston. Explore the world of performing arts in Houston here.
Photos: Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera
