The Pittsburgh Opera is set to present “AfterWARds,” which uses the words and music of Mozart’s “Idomeneo.” The work will reorganize the opera into an 80-minute version that shifts the opera’s focus towards its four protagonists and their timeless struggles for love and peace in a world full of carnage and destruction. “AfterWARds” is set on the island of Crete {…}
Like last week’s list, you’ll see a lot of classic works up for recommendation. But you’ll also see a showcase featuring brand new vocal works. Let’s dig in (in alphabetical order by company). Modularis – Experiments in Opera On Friday and Saturday, this unique company will showcase four new works for voice and modular synthesizer. Even if modern opera isn’t {…}
Pittsburgh Opera has announced four new members to its Board of Directors. The company announced that Bill Hillgrove, Thomas James III, MD, Brian Binkley, and Cindy Kerr will join the company’s board this year. Hillgrove is a sportscaster who has served as WTAE-TV’s Steelers Insider since 1994, calling the play-by-play for Pittsburgh Steelers football games, including four Super Bowl broadcasts. {…}
It all began with five ladies who belonged to Pittsburgh’s Tuesday Musical Club: pianist Virginia C. Byerly; contralto Carolyn Hunt Mahaffey; Priscilla W. Collins; Ruby N. Wickersham; and Marie M. Pease. In 1939, 80 years ago this season, these Founding Five established The Pittsburgh Opera Society, which would become the seventh-oldest opera company in the United States. The first production, {…}
We have another six offerings this week because a number of companies are getting their season started. You’ll see two world premieres among this week mixed in with some repertory favorites. The Mile Long Opera: A Biography of 7 O’Clock – The High Line Looking for a unique experience in New York City? “The Mile-Long Opera” is probably going to {…}
Pittsburgh Opera will continue its 80th season with Humperdinck’s classic “Hansel & Gretel.“ The opera is set to star Pittsburgh favorite Marianne Cornetti as the witch, as well as Ashley Fabian as Gretel, Corrie Stallings as Hansel and Caitlyn Gotimer as the Dew Fairy/Sandman. Leah Heater will perform the Mother, while Craig Verm will sing the Father. Anthony Walker will conduct the performances, which will be sung in {…}
Pittsburgh Opera has announced Michael Braxton as the new Director of Development. The company announced that the veteran fund-raiser will take over the position on August 13, 2018 for the start of the new season. In a press statement, Braxton noted, “I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity. Pittsburgh Opera is one of Pittsburgh’s cultural gems and recognized nationally {…}
The Pittsburgh Opera has announced its 2018-19 Resident Artists. This year, the program received more than 500 applicants and chose seven singers. The year’s residents will be mezzo-soprano Antonia Botti-Lodovico, tenor Terrence Chin-Loy, soprano Ashley Fabian, soprano Caitlin Gotimer, stage director Matthew Haney, baritone Ben Taylor, and bass-baritone Tyler Zimmerman. The program, which has been hailed as one of the country’s leading training programs for young singers, {…}
It’s a big weekend in the opera world, with undeniably the biggest show coming from the biggest star around. Here is a look at five can’t-miss performances from around the North American continent (In alphabetical order by company). NJ Verismo Opera – Turandot Puccini’s final opera gets one performance in NJ with Zhanna Alkhazova in the title role, Philip Alongi {…}
Pittsburgh Opera’s “Student Matinee” performance of Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love” is set to bring 2,000+ schoolchildren to Benedum on Thursday, April 26. The performance, which will be shown from 10:30 – 1:00 p.m., will include Pittsburgh Opera’s full orchestra, top-quality singers, chorus, and production elements. The field trip will continue Pittsburgh Opera’s educational program to expand opera audiences. As noted in a press release, “Students {…}
Opera America has announced the recipients of the second cycle of Innovation Grants. The grants, which are “generously funded by the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation,” were launched in 2016 in support companies that have shown tremendous innovation in diverse areas of the art form. The grants total $1.5 million. This year, 20 companies were awarded the prestigious grants. They {…}