By Frank Cadenhead [Opera Today, 4 February 2012]

February 4, 2012. A few days before the opening of the production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Houston Grand Opera, tenor David Lomeli, playing Alfredo, took ill. Bryan Hymel, a native of New Orleans, stepped in to save the day. He could, however, only sing the first two performances because he had a catch a plane to sing the Prince in Dvorak’s “Rusalka” at London’s Royal Opera.