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25 THE DIVA TRILLS ON HOUSTON GRAND OPERA BUILDS RESILIENCE THEATER. Shelby Hodge hits a high note. Photography by Priscilla Dickson and Wilson Parish C uriosity and excitement washed over opera fans as they arrived at the George R. Brown Convention Center for Houston Grand Opera's season launch of La Traviata. The company had hurriedly relocated from its home at Wortham Theater Center, which was fl ooded by Hurricane Harvey. HGO accomplished no small miracle by carving Resilience Theater from the vast convention halls — a remarkable temporary performance venue that includes a Green Room, Founders Salon, and elegant public foyer. Both the production, led by the glorious voice of soprano Albina Shagimuratova, and the feat by HGO leadership, received standing ovations. "So what? It's a little bit of water. We'll get on with it," said HGO managing director Perryn Leech to the black-tie gathering. Kristina and Paul Somerville chaired the evening, which concluded with a grand post-concert dinner in a lower salon of the convention center, transformed by Richard Flowers and the The Events Company into a spectacular setting. The show must go on, and indeed it did — in grand style. WHO: HGO artistic and music director Patrick Summers and Beau Miller, HGO board chair Jim Crownover and wife Molly, Caroline Leech, Lynn Wyatt, Beth Madison, Cynthia Petrello, Zane and Brady Carruth, John Turner and Jerry Fischer, Robin Angly and Miles Smith, Rini and Ed Ziegler, Celina Hellmund and Gabriel Castello, Glen Rosenbaum, Dian and Harlan Stai, and Bobbie Vee and Jerry Cooney. See more Shelby Hodge at papercitymag.com. Scotty & Jana Arnoldy Gabriel Castello Celina Hellmund Danielle Ellis Rini Ziegler Patrick Summers, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Jim Crownover, Perryn Leech Beth Madison, Perryn Leech Chair Kristina Somerville Margaret Alkek Williams Bill & Courtney Toomey Kevin Black, Tony Bradfi eld Betty & Jess Tutor Kendall & Christopher Hanno Michelle & Alan Smith Pat Breen, Cynthia Petrello Lynn Wyatt Beau Miller Alex & Astley Blair Sverre & Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl Patrick Summers