Khori Dastoor is a woman on the move. The former opera singer — she’s a soprano! — became CEO and the fourth general director in Houston Grand Opera’s history when she joined the Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning company in 2021. And for the record, HGO is the sole opera company in the world to hold that distinction.
Days in the opera world are long; some nights (er, mornings) after a performance opening or closing, Dastoor doesn’t get home until 1 a.m. To wear off the adrenaline, she likes to take a midnight stroll around her River Oaks neighborhood.
The job comes with prestige and perks.
“I’m really spoiled for glam because we have really incredible makeup artists who come to my home and take care of me. That’s true of my hairdresser, too,” she says. “For putting together a look for an event, I’m always thinking about how do I make sure I’m not duplicating anything our supporters are going to wear. I like vintage, I like blending and I like mixing.”
When she’s traveling abroad with HGO, Dastoor makes a point of perusing for special occasion wear and accessories at local ateliers. In Houston, she shops with Jane Gillis at Tootsies or Mr. Larkin near the Museum District.
Arguably, Dastoor’s third love after opera and family is food. Her household receives a weekly coffee delivery for a niche Italian espresso machine. And Dastoor’s eyes light up as she preaches the gospel of Houston Dairymaids.
