Formidable!

Films from French comedy master inspire dreams of a romantic Paris getaway

Mon cher fellow Francophiles, vous will surely not want to miss the series of Pierre Etaix films now showing at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, especially if you enjoyed the “Five Funny French Films” series there last March.

Thanks to the aforementioned FFFF series, I discovered Monsieur Etaix, whom MFAH justly bills as le “French Comedy Master.” I got a taste of his clever work in Le Grand Amour, which the MFAH repeats on Saturday (May 18, 7:30 p.m.) to conclude the series.

Also on tap, The Suitor (today at 4 p.m.), Yoyo (tonight at 6 and Friday at 7:30 p.m.), As Long As You're Healthy (Friday at 6 p.m.) and Land of Milk and Honey (Saturday, 6 p.m.).

Every time I see an excellent French film, I long to see the real thing, just like all those who have ever been to France, especially Paris — at least, all those who understand they are guests in the most beautiful city in the world, and thus, do their best to adhere to Mother's advice to "try to be a good guest" and fit in as well as possible.

Specifically, in Paris, that would include:

Speaking to your hosts, the French people, in their own language, if only to say "Merci beaucoup" for all the wonderful things that invariably happen to you in Paris; and
Keeping your voice down to a dull roar, as Parisians tend to speak very quietly.

Following the admirable example of the French-friendly MFAH, I offer my own little bonus. If you are truly serious about seeing the real thing, France, in all its glory – go now. Right now. This is absolutement the best time to go. Tout de suite, before the rush begins in June, when the entire world heads for France, specifically Paris — particularly the Louvre, which will be wall-to-wall with Americans shouting cheerfully into their phones or at one another from a foot away.

(That also applies to the endless lines of people who'll be waiting to get into the major museums. Book in advance if at all possible.)

There are three stunning sights you must see right now in Paris – the crème de la creme. Here they are:

The fabulous Chagall exhibition at the Musee du Luxembourg
The sumptuous Vuillards and Bonnards in the gorgeous exhibition at the Musee d’Orsay, A Passion for France: The Marlene and Spencer Hays Collection
Parc Monceau in full bloom, in all its springtime glory

Bon voyage, mon cher! A la prochaine fois!

Pierre Etaix stars in Le Grand Amour [http: /www.mfah.org/calendar/le-grand-amour/7387/].

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Emerging talent

Houston Grand Opera's 'Concert of Arias' showcases rising star singers

Winners of the 2024 Concert of Arias on stage at Houston Grand Opera

Photo by Michael Bishop, courtesy Houston Grand Opera

Winners from the 36th Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers. Concert of Arias is one of Houston Grand Opera's most-loved traditions. It affords cash prizes to the winners and determines placement in HGO's Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio program.

Houston audiences can hear seven emerging opera singers from around the globe at Houston Grand Opera’s upcoming 37th Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers. The annual audience favorite, also known as Concert of Arias, is Friday, January 17 at the Wortham Theater Center at 7 pm.

Prior to the performance, the seven finalists spent a week immersing themselves in HGO’s culture and collaborating with its music staff. Each finalist will sing two arias, accompanied by the HGO Orchestra, conducted by Maestro James Gaffigan. They are competing for cash prizes and placement in HGO’s prestigious Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio, one of the country’s top residency programs for emerging opera talent.

The winners will take home $25,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place, $10,000 for third place, and $5,000 for the Audience Choice Award. Each non-placing finalist will receive $3,500, with one of them selected for the $2,000 Ana María Martínez Encouragement Award.

The finalists are:

Lauren Carroll, a soprano from Bettendorf, Iowa who earned her Master of Music degree from Rice University and her Bachelor of Music degree from Drake University.
Daria Lupu a soprano from Romania who is a member of the Experimental Studio in Musical Performing Arts “Ludovic Spiess” at the Bucharest National Opera.
Alexis Seminario, a soprano who is currently a Young Artist with Palm Beach Opera and a 2020 alumna of HGO’s Young Artists Vocal Academy. She holds a Master of Music degree from Bard College Conservatory.
Meg Brilleslyper, a mezzo-soprano and 2022 alumna of HGO’s Young Artists Vocal Academy who is pursuing her Master of Music degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.
Luke Norvell, a tenor from Tacoma, Washington who is a fourth-year resident artist at Academy of Vocal Art and has a Bachelor of Music degree from the Master’s University.
Luka Tsevelidze, a tenor from Georgia and student at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire who made his operatic debut as Tamino in The Magic Flute with the Tbilisi State Conservatoire Opera Studio.
Geonho Lee, a baritone from South Korea who holds a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Seoul National University and was a 2024 semifinalist in the renowned Operalia Competition. He is currently pursuing advanced studies at the University of Music and Theatre Munich.

Tickets are sold out, but people can watch a live stream of the performance, interviews with the singers, and more on HGO's YouTube channel.

houston grand opera performing-arts