The Houston Grand Opera earned its third Grammy Award on Sunday, marking its first win in more than three decades, for its acclaimed recording of the opera Intelligence.
The award for best opera recording was presented for the 2023 recording of the opera’s world premiere performances at Houston’s Wortham Theater Center. Although the production was recorded in 2023, the album was officially released in August 2025, making it eligible for consideration at this year’s Grammy Awards.
Intelligence was composed by Jake Heggie, with a libretto by Gene Scheer and direction and choreography by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. The opera centers on the lives of two Civil War-era spies, portrayed by soprano Janai Brugger and mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton. The story is inspired by the real-life account of Mary Jane Bowser, a Black woman who posed as an illiterate enslaved person while secretly gathering intelligence for the Union from within the Confederacy.
Houston Grand Opera Director and Chief Executive Officer Khori Dastoor said the Grammy win reflects the company’s commitment to artistic excellence, innovation, and the strength of American opera. She praised the creative team behind the production and credited the achievement to the performers, orchestra, conductor Kwamé Ryan, and all artists and collaborators who brought the powerful story to the stage.
The Grammy ceremony also recognized several artists with strong ties to Houston. Kam Franklin, lead vocalist of the Houston-based soul band The Suffers, appeared on the album A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, which won best regional roots music album. Houston native Darrel Walls received the award for best gospel album for Heart of Mine, while former Lakewood Church worship leader Israel Houghton won best contemporary Christian music album for Coritos Vol. 1.
The Intelligence recording marked the first release under Houston Grand Opera’s newly launched recording label, developed in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra’s label, LSO Live. The album is currently available on major streaming platforms including Apple Music Classical, Amazon Music, and Spotify.
According to the Houston Grand Opera, this latest honor represents the company’s third Grammy Award overall. The organization previously won best opera recording in 1978 for George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and received a Grammy in 1989 for best contemporary composition for the world premiere recording of Nixon in China.
