Peace in the Trenches: The Story Behind Silent Night, Hosted by Houston Grand Opera

Jan 9 // Past Event Highlights

Alliance Française de Houston was honored to host “Peace in the Trenches: The Story Behind Silent Night”, a special event presented in partnership with the Houston Grand Opera. 
 
This rich and moving panel discussion explored the historical context of Silent Night, the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera set during World War I, and reflected on the enduring power of music as a bridge between cultures, even in times of conflict. 
 
Moderated by Joel Thompson, HGO Composer-in-Residence, the conversation featured bass-baritone Ryan McKinny, historian Dr. Roger Reese (Texas A&M University), and musicologist Dr. Kathryn Caton (University of Houston) as well as our own AFH Juan Martinez. The evening concluded beautifully with a live aria performed by baritone Edward Nelson, connecting scholarship and performance in the most compelling way. 
 
This event also served as a meaningful prelude to HGO’s mainstage production of Silent Night at the Wortham Theater Center later in January, reinforcing the deep ties between opera, history, and French culture. 
 
Grateful to our partners at HGO, moderator, panelists, audience, team and volunteers for making this evening such a success and for reminding us of the universal message of peace and shared humanity at the heart of this work.