Lohengrin

Grand and noble, Wilhelm Richard Wagner's epic Lohengrintells the story of a mysterious savior who comes to the defense of an innocent woman. War, love, fratricide, magical swans, sorcery and betrayal are all part of this German opera, a co-production between Houston Grand Opera and Geneva Opera. In press materials, HGO's Music Director and Production Conductor Patrick Summers calls the opera "enigmatic, maddening, stimulating and irresistibly fascinating." That sentiment is echoed by the London Financial Times, which said the production is "visual poetry." The cast, starring the New Zealand native tenor Simon O'Neill as Knight Lohengrin and Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka as Elsa, is as grand as the tale. And in the Wagnerian tradition of heft and weight, the whole thing lasts for a few hours - it starts at 6:30 p.m. So rest up before sitting down to this evening of very serious music. 6:30 p.m. today. Through November 15. Wortham Theatre Center, 500 Texas. For a full schedule, call 713-228-6737 or visit www.houstongrandopera.org. $23 to $226.
Fri., Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m. Starts: Oct. 30. Continues through Nov. 15, 2009