Opera Leggera, A Cornerstone of the Kingwood Performing Arts Community

Get to know the folks behind Kingwood's homegrown opera.

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Image Courtesy Opera Leggera

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In 2005, professional opera singers, Chris and Sasha Holloway, founded the performing arts company “Opera Leggera” (light opera) in Kingwood, Texas. Chris Holloway is a  native Texan tenor known as the ”Pavarotti of Sacred Music.” He has performed in opera, oratorio and recital both in the United States and abroad. Chris has appeared with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, and the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra with Zubin Metha and Lawrence Foster just to name a few. Sasha was born in Odessa, Ukraine. Throughout her career, Sasha has performed with numerous opera and musical theatre companies around the world such as Odessa State Opera Theatre (Ukraine), New Israeli Opera (Tel Aviv), Florida Grand Opera, Theatre under the Stars (Houston), Israeli Philharmonic under Zubin Metha, Opera in the Heights, Yiddish Shpiel (Germany/Austria), Miami Opera, West Palm Beach Opera, and Houston Grand Opera

With the desire to present the world's most beautiful music to the North Houston community, Chris and Sasha created a unique musical theatre that would present a diverse repertoire that spans the styles of opera, operetta, pop, Broadway, andamp; American/international classic standards. Opera Loggera typically presents their programs at Kingwood's Nathaniel Center, a hidden gem in the Northeast Houston performing arts community. 

These exciting musical extravaganzas have become the quality entertainment enjoyed by the entire community. Each Opera Leggera production is original and presented by a cast of singers, dancers, actors, and musicians, professional and amateur alike. Through the years, Opera Leggera has produced 17 shows and counting, among which audience favorites include "Holiday Enchantment," "Our Song is here to Stay," and "There Ain't Nothin' Like a Dame."

​Opera Leggera is also dedicated to providing a professional and educational atmosphere for aspiring artists. It is Opera Leggera's goal to transform theatre-goer's appreciation of music and theatre into a life-long passion. 

For many years, Mr. Holloway performed operatic roles with the Houston Grand Opera and other international companies. He continues traveling around the U.S. and abroad, singing in concert, and has appeared on and maybe seen on national broadcasts of ABC, TBN, CBN, and PBS. For several years, Chris Holloway was the Coral Ridge concert series director in Fort Lauderdale, FL. After returning to Houston, TX, he and his wife, Sasha, founded Opera Leggera. Since Opera Leggera’s beginnings, Sasha has created, directed, and produced 20+ original productions and has a distinct vision for Opera Leggera to bring the beauty of music and theatre to people. 

If you'd like to know more about Opera Leggera or find out when they will be performing again, go here

November 21, 2024
Michael MK

Michael MK
Senior Editor & Writer

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