An Evening of Hope, Beauty and Inspiration Flourishes as Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” Renews Our Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert and Gala

An Evening of Hope, Beauty and Inspiration Flourishes as Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” Renews Our Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert and Gala

With a wave of Conductor and Musical Director Juraj Valčuha’s baton, Houston Symphony kicked off its 2025-26 Classical Season for over 300 black-tie-clad guests, who were treated to a concert, followed by an elegant bus ride, a scrumptious three-course dinner and lively entertainment.

Opening Night was chaired by public relations executive Carey Kirkpatrick and sponsored by ConocoPhillips, whose consecutive underwriting hit the astounding four-decade mark! Attendees arriving at Jones Hall were welcomed by a nine-foot vibrant Firebird, created by the décor team at The Events Company. Debuted in the Paris Opera House in 1910, 26-year-old Russian composer Igor Stravinsky composed and performed this dramatic composition, which began as both a ballet and orchestral collaboration, telling the story of the downfall of a powerful, ogre-like figure of evil, through the intervention of a beautiful, rare and vibrantly glowing magical bird–the enchanting character of The Firebird.

After a short champagne reception, attendees took their seats for the 90-minute musical part of the evening’s presentation and were greeted by Executive Director and CEO Gary Ginstling, who announced Valčhua’s leadership now continues through the 2027-2028 season. The musicians began by performing Florent Schmitt’s beyond-epic Psalm 47. They were joined by Grammy-winning Soprano Angel Blue (making her Houston Symphony debut), the Houston Symphony Chorus, and the Houston Chamber Choir. The Firebird, as mentioned above, followed this.

Post-performance, those attending the three-course seated dinner were whisked away by sophisticated, luxurious buses to the Corinthian Houston, where another custom-designed Firebird and a beautifully decorated ballroom greeted them. As mentioned previously, The Events Company’s color palette drew inspiration from the plumage of the avian star of the evening. The cuisine was proudly paired with wines chosen and provided by Lindy & John Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods. Houston’s own David Caceres and his band provided the gala’s musical entertainment, keeping things lively until the wee hours.

At night’s end, Houston Symphony had “renewed” its efforts and raised more than $550,000 in the process to continue its Education and Community Initiatives. Bravo!

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):  Marta Lederer, Margaret Alkek Williams, Barbara and Pat McCelvey, Mariglyn and Stephen Glenn, Janet F. Clark, Barbara J. Burger, Tara and David Wuthrich, Jesse Tutor, Sippi and Ajay Khurana, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Betsy and Fredric Weber, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, David Peavy and Stephen McCauley, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Scott and Geraldina Wise, Justice Brett and Erin Busby, Ken and Mady Kades, Mary Lynn Marks, Eric Brueggeman, Kusum and Cody Patel, Leslie Siller, Farida Abjani, Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Nini Hale, Sylvia Forsythe, Jacquie Baly and James Craig, Aaron Matthews, Beth Wolff, Cheryl Byington, Rini and Edward Ziegler, Khoa and Quyng Dao