What happens when opera and the blues come together? A striking new experience in lyrical storytelling and musical composition.

Song of Houston’s Now and Then, a celebration of the blues in Houston, was developed in the heart of Houston’s Third Ward in 2008/09 as a collaboration between Houston Grand Opera, Golden Age Hobby House, University of Houston Creative Writing Program, Shepherd School of Music Composition Department, Inprint, Project Row Houses, Houston Blues Society and SugarHill Recording Studios. 

Traditional blues music by Texas Johnny Brown and The Quality Blues Band, combined with new works by John L. Cornelius, II, Ethan Frederick Greene and Andrew Nishikawa, create an unforgettable legacy of new work based on stories from the past.  Stories that live on in the hearts and minds of our family, friends and neighbors.