jointly commissioned by houston grand opera, los angeles opera and seattle opera, "florencia en el amazonas" had its world premiere at the wortham theater center on 26 october 1996 performed by houston grand opera. the production was directed by francesca zambello with sets designed by robert israel. the production subsequently opened at los angeles opera in 1997, and then at seattle opera in 1998. in 1999 it was performed in concert version by the ópera de bellas artes in mexico city and received its european premiere in 2006 at the theater heidelberg in germany in a new production directed by michael beyer.