Fort Worth Opera is set to present “Cowboys & Culture,” a multimedia concert dedicated to the vibrant music, stories, and spirit of the American West. The event will take place on February 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Renzo Piano Pavilion of the Kimbell Art Museum. This concert coincides with the closing week of the renowned Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, further enriching the cultural tapestry of the region.
The concert features acclaimed dramatic tenor Clifton Forbis, who serves as the chair of voice at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts. Forbis will perform alongside the talented Hattie Mae Lesley Resident Artists of Fort Worth Opera: soprano Melissa Martinez, mezzo-soprano Madeline Coffey, tenor Coleman Dziedzic, and bass-baritone José Olivares. The evening promises a unique blend of visual and auditory art, as contemporary Western painter Kevin Chupik will showcase his artwork throughout the performance.
Artistic Collaboration and Musical Program
The concert will intertwine projected artwork by Chupik with vocal performances, creating a visually stunning experience. During the concert, Fort Worth Opera Producing Director Kurt Howard will engage Chupik in a live interview, allowing the audience to explore the inspiration behind the artist’s work and its connection to the West.
The musical repertoire will feature selections from significant Western-themed operatic works, including Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West, Craig Bohmler and Steven Mark Kohn’s Riders of the Purple Sage, and Héctor Armienta’s Zorro. The program will also include traditional pieces that embody the mythical allure of the West and reflect Fort Worth’s cultural identity.
Celebrating a Legacy
As Fort Worth Opera embarks on its 80th season, General and Artistic Director Angela Turner Wilson emphasizes the company’s commitment to honoring the region’s Western heritage. “’Cowboys & Culture’ isn’t just a slogan here; it’s what we’ve always been: proud of our Western heritage and proud of the artistic tradition that has grown alongside it for generations,” she stated.
Forbis echoed Wilson’s sentiments, highlighting opera’s deep-rooted connection to the community. He noted that opera has long been accessible to everyday people, evolving alongside the American narrative. “Opera isn’t this rare thing that only exists in some far-off world,” Forbis explained. “Most of us are just normal folks.”
Returning to perform with Fort Worth Opera is particularly poignant for Forbis, who made his professional debut with the company in its 1990 production of Stewart Copeland’s Holy Blood and Crescent Moon. Despite his successful international career, Forbis has consistently returned to Fort Worth for major events, reinforcing his ties to the local community.
Wilson praised Forbis’s authenticity and talent, stating, “Clifton has worked at the highest level, on the biggest stages, and he still carries himself like the person next door.” This down-to-earth quality embodies the spirit the opera aims to share during “Cowboys & Culture.”
As part of its mission to nurture emerging talent, Fort Worth Opera has positioned its Resident Artists alongside experienced performers like Forbis. This mentorship approach allows the next generation of singers to shine on stage. “It’s a special feeling to hear these incredible young people and know that the business I love is going to be in good hands,” Forbis remarked.
The concert also serves as a platform for Chupik’s artistry, which blends traditional Western imagery with contemporary perspectives. Chupik, who received his BFA from Texas Christian University and MFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder, aims to provoke thought and conversation through his work. “Kevin’s work feels right at home in this program,” Wilson noted, appreciating its balance of respect for Western heritage with a modern twist.
Chupik’s art is currently exhibited in the local gallery, Grit and Grace, through February 7, 2026, demonstrating the ongoing dialogue between visual art and performance.
“Cowboys & Culture” will run for 60 minutes without intermission, providing a compact yet enriching experience. The event is set to take place at the Kimbell Art Museum, located at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. in Fort Worth. For ticket information and additional details, interested attendees can visit the Fort Worth Opera website.
Founded in 1946 by visionary women Eloise MacDonald Snyder, Betty Berry Spain, and Jeanne Axtell Walker, Fort Worth Opera holds the distinction of being the oldest opera company in Texas and one of the oldest in the United States. The organization has garnered acclaim for its artistic excellence and commitment to community engagement, producing both traditional repertoire and innovative new American works.
