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    Who will win?

    The Final Four: Opera Vista Festival compositions are sexy, funny, legal &gay(er)

    Joel Luks
    Mar 18, 2011 | 1:07 pm
    • Top row from right: Matthew Peterson, Nathan Riebli, Viswa Subbaraman, AlbertoGarcia Demestres, Sonia Megias Lopez, Ronnie Reschef and John Biggs.
      Photo by Joel Luks
    • One of the submissions most experimental works drew inspiration from pictorialrepresentation of music notation, using Luciano Berio as reference. "News fromSilence: The Monkey" by Spanish composer Sonia Megias Lopez will not be movingforward to the finals, though personally, one of the most inventive andeffective works.
      Photo by Joel Luks
    • Sara Draper, left, founder and artistic director of Dancepaththeatre, hostsIsraeli-born finalist Ronnie Reschef. Draper masterfully choreographed LembitBeecher's "And Then I Remember," a final performance scheduled Saturday.
      Photo by Joel Luks
    • The panel of judges offered constructive criticism and probing questions. Fromleft, Buck Ross, Iarlaith Carter, Viswa Subbaraman and Daron Hagen.
      Photo by Joel Luks

    Pretty music makes us like a character. Ugly music has the opposite effect. Think Smurfs and Gargamel.

    This attitude was expressed numerous times by the judges at the 2011 Opera Vista Festival semifinals Wednesday night at the Moores School of Music. It speaks to the importance and place of music in opera, having the ability to contradict and mingle psychological and emotional twists beyond what appears on stage or what is articulated in the text. True enough. It's the stuff that made Wagner's works revolutionary, using leitmotifs to hint at an omniscient truth not known to the characters.

    But given the vast range of compositional styles heard, it seems impossible to critique the works of the six hopefuls (narrowed down from 40 compositions received from 12 different countries) using the same schema. It really is difficult to compare apples against oranges, even though they are both fruit (I know, stolen My Big Fat Greek Wedding reference).

    The contestants spoke to the everything-goes aesthetic of contemporary music. As with love and war, everything is fair in the genre, as long as you have a reason for doing so and are able to rationalize your choices, verbally.

    But traditionalists beware. There is a fine line between being grounded in the past and writing in a been-there-done-that style. And to the über experimentalists, make sure your music can de decoded.

    Alberto García Demestres, contestant and composer of Il Sequestro (an opera based on the kidnapping of three women), alluded during his commentary that there is very little, if anything left to explore in contemporary music. If anything, technological progress may open other possibilities.

    Could he possibly be right?

    When we think of works like Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps for example, you will never hear someone say that it sounds like an earlier composition or it is rooted in another. It broke convention and shifted the journey of aesthetic musical thought. Similarly, Luciano Berio's Sequenzas belong in a milieu on their own, though ingrained in modernism and experimentalism, explored the full range of the instruments outside convention.

    In hearing contemporary music today, we want to make associations and find the link to former traditions, and all too often, we can. Not to dismiss the originality of the works, but can today's compositions shift classical music's journey? Or are they mostly an exploration of pre-established parameters?

    I am really not interested in an answer, but find discourse around the topic fascinating.

    Either way, Opera Vista Festival presented an exceptional array of chamber operas of impeccable artistic merit, a couple of days later, still swimming in my thoughts.

    Here is the gist.

    In American Idol fashion, the performance order was selected at random. A two-minute introduction by the composer preceded a seven-minute performance of an excerpt meant to illustrate the range of the work.

    Then, it was the judges' turn to offer commentary and engage in question-and-answer — Simon Cowell accounts excluded, though the required Brit accent was present.

    Audience members were given a ballot and entrusted the important task of choosing four to move on to the finals. Deciders we were.

    The panel, consisting of Buck Ross, director and founder of the Moores Opera Center; Iarlaith Carter, associate director of HarrsionParrott; composer Daron Hagen and Viswa Subbaraman, Opera Vista's main man, oscillated between constructive criticism and probing questions. The composers' reaction and handling of the response was as critical as the caliber of the pieces themselves, often exposing weaknesses in the compositional methodology while opening up creative possibilities for improvement.

    "In today's classical music climate, it's extremely helpful to the performing organization when the composers have the ability to interact with audiences and answer questions clearly," Subbaraman explained. "That being said, we have had everyone from shy composers to extremely outgoing and 'theatrical' composers. The audience seems to value an honest and thoughtful answer - no matter the 'elegance' of delivery."

    Those who spoke from the heart earned the audience's approval. Others, who were at a loss for words or acted defensively lost confidence, not necessarily as a composer, but as someone who's work you want to champion.

    We always want the likable person to win and I found my allegiance being slightly altered while I gained better personal insights. Though at times, the more accessible works speak for themselves.

    "As an opera company, we would be thrilled to stage any of the works in the semifinals," Subbaraman said. But only four can move forward.

    "It's always very close, sometimes by a vote or two. It's always difficult to lose those that do not advance. It feels like losing two of your children."

     In no particular order, moving on to the next round are:

       
    •  The opera that made kidnapping sexy: Alberto García Demestres' Il Sequestro

    Straussian in compositional approach, this traditional opera is full of driving angst, delicious and rich textures that encouraged emotional engagement, more than the others.

       
    •  The opera that made tuberculosis funny: Ronnie Reshef's Requiem for the Living

    A dark and schadenfreudian comedy that follows a hypochondriac's fear of being terminally ill, in this case, being told that he has a week to live. His wife plans to get it on with the neighbor after his death while the priest outlines his long list of sins, rationalizing his fate. Spoiler alert: It has a happy ending.

       
    •  The Boston Legal opera: Matthew Peterson's Voir Dire

    A macaw custody battle, love gone wrong and a distressing arrest among murders and courtroom drama, Peterson's work is intense, moving from the hilarious and ridiculous to the tragic and dramatic.

       
    •  The opera that turned Oscar Wilde delightfully gayer: John Biggs' Ernest Worthing

    Quick witted, slightly kinky and zany, Biggs' fast pace British-style comedy borders on musical theater, and that's a good thing. Based on The Importance of Being Earnest, it's the work that makes even the grumpiest smile.

    The festival's finals are tonight at the Moores School of Music at 8 p.m. During this round, audience members will be invited to ask questions. Winners will be announced at the final performance event featuring last year's winner, Lembit Beecher's And I Remember, Saturday.

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    Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this 4th of July weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 2, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Shell Freedom Over Texas
    Courtesy of Shell Freedom Over Texas
    The city has revealed the performers for its July 4 celebration.

    The 4th of July lands on a Friday this year, which means things will get especially patriotic this weekend.

    We’ve already listed all the fireworks celebrations and restaurant specials that’ll be popping off on Friday. (Don’t forget about the screenings of Independence Day at River Oaks Theatre, Rooftop Cinema Club and Marriott Marquis Houston.) But there are also other must-see events happening this weekend, including a LEGO convention, the second anniversary of a Third Ward eatery, the return of a Stanley Kubrick classic, and an outlaw music festival featuring Willie Freakin’ Nelson and Bob Freakin’ Dylan!

    Thursday, July 3

    Brick Rodeo
    Brick Rodeo is a family-friendly event that features hundreds of custom models and displays made from LEGO bricks. Creators from Texas and around the country will be available to talk about their creations. Fans who want to display their own creations, attend workshops, and participate in all the activities should purchase an All Access Pass. Families and individuals who want to spend a day viewing incredible custom creations, talking with builders, and shopping with vendors should purchase a public exhibition ticket. 9 am (8:30 am Friday-Sunday).

    City Place presents Young Audiences of Houston: Painting with Watercolor Pencils Art Workshop
    This free art workshop, hosted by Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Judy Malone Stein, transforms City Place’s central waterfront plaza into a classical art studio with easels and other essential supplies. Participants are introduced to the medium of watercolor pencils and will learn basic color theory which includes the color wheel and primary and secondary colors, along with complimentary colors. They will also focus on creating compositions, using traditional visions (portraits, landscapes, still life) as their subject matter. 9:30 am.

    Improv Houston presents Dustin Ross
    Dustin Ross is a NAACP Image Award-winning host, writer, and producer. Fans of The Read podcast may know him as a longtime guest/friend to the show. These days, you can hear him on two pods: The Friend Zone, with co-hosts Hey Fran Hey and Assante; and Holding Court, with Eboni K. Williams. He has also hosted seasons of Bet on Black, REVOLT TV’s competition series, Bet On Black. As an on-air contributor, Ross has appeared on multiple platforms, including MTV, BET, Bravo TV, HBO, FUSE TV, GLAAD, Fox Soul, and more. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, July 4

    Freedom Over Texas
    With an average of 50,000 people in attendance, Freedom Over Texas has become Houston’s annual, signature July 4th celebration. The live, televised event will feature local, regional, and national entertainment, headlined by Ashley McBryde and Lee Brice, and will be capped off with a musically choreographed, “Texas-sized” fireworks finale. It also features a unique non-profit component, as the event will donate a percentage of food and beverage sales to the Houston Food Bank. 4 pm.

    Ensemble Theatre presents The Tap Dance Kid
    Over at The Ensemble Theatre, The Tap Dance Kid is about a 10-year-old African-American kid named Willie who doesn’t want to be a lawyer like his well-to-do strict father, and dreams of becoming a dancer like his talented Uncle Dipsey, an aspiring Broadway choreographer. The final production in the theater’s 2024-25 season, this musical is filled with imaginations of stardom that keep us tapping along. Through Sunday, July 27. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

    Dan Electro’s presents The Broken Spokes & Oliver Penn 4th of July Party
    Freedom, music, and a 4th of July Party will be going down at Dan Electros. The show will feature a performance from traditional Texas country band The Broken Spokes, a well-seasoned outfit that’s put in the time honing their craft in honky tonks across Texas,. Also performing will be Rhode Island-born, Houston-based country singer Oliver Penn, who has shared the stage with Charley Crockett, Shakey Graves, Randall King, The California Honeydrops, and Shinyribs. 9 pm.

    Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra presents Graveyard Shift: Attack the Block
    Guy Fawkes Night in London is a time for fireworks, fooling around, and an occasional surprise or two. But when vicious extraterrestrials decide to crash the hellraisers’ holiday, a time for making merry quickly turns scary. Writer-director Joe Cornish also ensures it’s frequently humorous as well. This frisky, vigorous 2011 spoof — propelled by an insistent electronic score by Steven Price & Basement Jaxx and a star-making lead turn from John Boyega — shows a similar sensibility in its breezy blending of goofiness and gruesomeness. 10 pm.

    Saturday, July 5

    Rado Market 2 Year Anniversary Celebration
    Chef Chris Williams’ market and cafe at the historic Eldorado Ballroom will celebrate its two-year anniversary with a celebration that’s free and open to the public. The event will include complimentary champagne during the first hour, food specials from chef Jaden Gaines, and live music from a DJ for the first two hours. Guests can also browse and shop from a curated lineup of local vendors offering various products for sale, including Posh Body, Ambrosia Nectar, 77 Stash, and Juxx. Patrons can also enter two raffles featuring Radiant Aura samples and other giveaways. Noon.


      
     
     
     
     
     
     
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    Winnie’s presents Labubu Face Tattoo Korean Corn Dog Karaoke Party
    Never has an event’s name been a more complete description of what’s happening at the Midtown sandwich shop/cocktail bar on Saturday. Artists from Rodeo Tiger will be tattooing Labubu, the must-have accessory that feels destined to become the Beanie Babies of 2025 ($25 minimum, $50 for both sides, and $100 for full face custom work). While you wait, snack on a Korean corn dog created by chef Jennifer Hoffman. Karaoke starts at 8 pm. 1 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Barry Lyndon
    This weekend, catch the 50th anniversary screening (in glorious 35mm!) of Stanley Kubrick’s lavish, Oscar-winning 1975 adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 18th-century novel. Forced to leave Ireland after killing an English officer in a duel, young Redmond Barry (Ryan O’Neal) seeks his fortune as a soldier in Prussia, as a spy, and then as a gambler living among the elite of Europe. He changes his name and marries an aristocrat (Marisa Berenson) for her wealth, but will he finally gain the acceptance he seeks? 5 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    Kings Harbor Waterfront Village presents “Fireworks on the Pier”
    Looking for a post-4th of July throwdown this weekend? Kings Harbor Waterfront Village in Kingwood will have its annual “Fireworks on the Pier” celebration, a patriotic evening of family fun, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. Festivities include family-friendly games like Connect Four, a balloon artist, face painting and bubble stations for kids. Local restaurants will be serving up a variety of delicious food and drink options throughout the evening. A dazzling fireworks show over the pier will begin around 10 pm. 7 pm.

    Movies at Miller: Wicked
    We know there is a lot of y’all who can’t wait for Wicked: For Good to drop in multiplexes this winter. Before that happens, head over to Miller Outdoor Theatre and revisit the Oscar-winning Broadway musical adaptation that set it all off. In the magical Land of Oz, Wicked covers the first act, following Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with Galinda (Ariana Grande), the future Glinda the Good Witch. The audience is encouraged to come in costume. 8:30 pm.

    Sunday, July 6

    Eldorado Ballroom presents Ball N’ Parlay
    Dubbed “A 1st Sunday Vibeout,” Ball N’ Parlay is a vibrant, Third Ward day party that’s going to be held outside the legendary Eldorado Ballroom. They’re really hyping this one up, calling it “the Sunday you’ve been waiting for, where music, community, and culture meet.” We’re just psyched that some of our favorite DJs will be doing live sets, including DJ Elevated, Maiya Papaya, Alist, and DJ Bloom. 3 pm.

    Outlaw Music Festival
    If you grew up going to Cactus Music and picking up the latest issue of No Depression, looking for the latest in outlaw country releases to scoop up, a fest full of iconic, guitar-strumming banditos will be making a stop at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion this weekend. The 10th anniversary tour of the Outlaw Music Festival will feature an unparalleled lineup of legends and superstars, including Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, The Avett Brothers, The Mavericks, and Tami Neilson. 4:05 pm.

    CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
    As of this writing, we don’t know who will be playing in the final match of the soccer championship known as the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, going down this weekend at NRG Stadium. What we do now is that the winners will be determined on Wednesday night, when the semifinal matchups – the USMNT vs. Guatemala and Mexico vs. Honduras – will take place. This also marks the first time the Gold Cup Final will be held in the state of Texas. 6 pm.

    Freedom Over Texas
      
    Courtesy of Freedom Over Texas
    The Freedom Over Texas celebration takes place on the Fourth of July.
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