Houston Grand Opera - The Wreckers

a Lost Masterpiece

The Brown Theatre plays host to this incredibly exciting premiere of Dame Ethel Smyth's 1906 opera, marking the first time an American company has launched a full-scale production of the 'lost masterpiece'. 

Based on reported stories from the 19th century of communities intentionally luring ships to break up on their beaches, The Wreckers is often compared to Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes, with its chilling stories of religious zealotry and sea-faring schemes complementing each other, painting a haunting portrait of the era.

What is the story?

In an intriguing story set to a gripping score, Smith transports us to a small Cornish village that sees its rocky shores and subsequent shipwrecks as a boon, the plundering of which is roundly endorsed by their local pastor. But when they move on to purposefully causing the wrecks themselves, a psychologically thrilling drama unfolds, pitting the community against religion, betrayal, and love as the unraveling of the devious scheme falls to the pastor's wife, Thirza.

Based on reported stories from the 19th century of communities intentionally luring ships to break up on their beaches, The Wreckers is often compared to Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes, with its chilling stories of religious zealotry and sea-faring schemes complementing each other.