Ahead of Intelligence’s world premiere in Houston on October 20, co-conceiver, director, and choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar discusses the creative process behind the opera with Emil J. Kang, program director for Arts and Culture at the Mellon Foundation. A Houston Grand Opera commission, Intelligence takes place during the Civil War in Richmond, Virginia, where Mary Jane Bowser, born into slavery, has been sent to infiltrate the Confederate White House by Elizabeth Van Lew, matriarch of a prominent Confederate family. Learn the little-known true story of these women, whose secret pro-Union spy ring helped win the war. Seven dancers from Urban Bush Women perform highlights.

Health and Safety Information

Mask-wearing and COVID-19 vaccination are no longer required but are strongly recommended.

Ticketing Information

Priority tickets for the fall 2023 performance series will go on sale online at 11 am on Friday, August 18, for $500+ Friends of Works & Process and all Guggenheim members at the Global level and above.

General ticketing will open online on Tuesday, August 22, at 11 am.

For questions, Friends of Works & Process should email friends@worksandprocess.org. Guggenheim members, please email membership@guggenheim.org. For general ticketing questions, please email boxoffice@guggenheim.org.

Tickets are available for purchase online only.

House seats may be available for $1,000+ Friends of Works & Process. To purchase house seats, email friends@worksandprocess.org.

House seats may be released to the public before performances.

Houston Grand Opera and Urban Bush Women: Intelligence by Jake Heggie, Gene Scheer, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Photo: Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera