Pittsburgh Opera has officially renamed its rehearsal hall in honor of retiring General Director Christopher Hahn, following an intimate ceremony held on May 28 at the company’s Strip District headquarters.

The Hahn Rehearsal Hall takes its name from a leader who has guided Pittsburgh Opera’s artistic life for more than two decades. Hahn has served as General Director since 2008 and as Artistic Director since 2000.

Hahn’s career in opera spans more than four decades. A native of South Africa, he entered the field in 1983 as Rehearsal Administrator at San Francisco Opera, later leading the San Francisco Opera Center and its celebrated Merola Opera Program. Following 13 years with the San Francisco organization, he moved to Los Angeles Opera as Artistic Administrator before joining Pittsburgh Opera in 2000.

A campaign to name the hall in his honor raised more than $540,000. Visionary Benefactors of the campaign were Christine and Robert Pietrandrea. Artistic Champions were Nachum Golan and Steve Hough, Jean Anne Hattler, PhD, and Tara E. Kovach, alongside numerous additional supporters from Pittsburgh and the wider opera community.

“For 26 years, Christopher has shaped not only what happens on our stage but who we are as a company. This Hall celebrates his legacy, and is a testament to his dedication to Pittsburgh Opera and the larger world of opera. We are proud, and profoundly grateful,” said Michele Fabrizi, Chair of Pittsburgh Opera’s Board of Directors, per an official press release.

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