Governor and Mrs. Corbett Honored

For Immediate Release    
April 10, 2012

Contact:
Debra L. Bell, Director of Marketing and Communications
Office: (412) 281-0912 ext 214 or dbell@pittsburghopera.org

Pittsburgh Opera honors Governor and First Lady of Pennsylvania at Maecenas XXVIII, May 12
Maecenas Award to be presented to John and Nancy Traina

Pittsburgh, PA…Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett will receive a special joint Lifetime Achievement Award at Pittsburgh Opera’s annual end-of-season benefit gala, Maecenas XXVIII, on May 12, 2012 at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. Separately and together, Governor Corbett and First Lady Corbett have crafted exceptional careers as public servants for the good of Western Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given infrequently: previous winners include Cardinal Donald Wuerl (2011) and Nadine E. Bognar (2009).

Governor Corbett will be honored for his early work as a teacher as well as his long-standing protection of the public interest as Pennsylvania Attorney General. Additionally, as Governor, he has recognized the economic, educational, and social value of the arts. Mrs. Corbett has been an accomplished producer and presenter of arts programs through the years, and, as First Lady, has championed greater participation in the arts in her role as Chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. “We are particularly excited to honor Governor Corbett and First Lady Corbett at Maecenas 2012. Through their positions they are exceptional ambassadors for the rich cultural life of Pittsburgh,” said Christopher Hahn, General Director of Pittsburgh Opera.

Receiving the Maecenas Award for philanthropy at the May 12 Maecenas event will be John E. and Nancy Traina. Mr. Traina has served multiple terms on the Board, including two stints as Board President, and has provided invaluable leadership in a crucial period of transition for the Company. Mrs. Traina is currently President of the Pittsburgh Opera Association, having committed 14 years to the organization that, through the determined efforts of five intrepid women, established Pittsburgh Opera in 1939 and serves as an auxiliary fundraising arm in the present day.

The Maecenas benefit gala is one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent social events, consistently declared a “Top Ten” party by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Over the last 27 years, the gala has generated over 15 million dollars for Pittsburgh Opera’s mission-critical productions and education programs. Approximately 400 people from Pittsburgh’s business and professional community are expected to attend the 2012 Maecenas celebration.

Tickets to Maecenas XXVIII begin at $750 and are on sale now. Table sponsorships begin at $5000.  Pittsburgh Opera salutes Mr. and Mrs. William Firth Benter, UPMC, and UPMC Health Plan as the underwriting sponsors of Maecenas XXVIII. Mr. and Mrs. William Firth Benter are also the chairs for the event. For more information about Maecenas XXVIII, contact John Federico at 412-281-0912 x 228.

Pittsburgh Opera’s 2011-2012 season continues a 73-year tradition of excellence in opera. As part of the Company’s continued efforts to make opera accessible to all members of the community, single tickets for the 2011-2012 season again start at $10.

2011-2012 Season
La traviata October 15, 18, 21, 23, 2011
Tosca November 12, 15, 18, 20, 2011
Hansel & Gretel January 28, 31; February 3, 5, 2012
Tosca March 24, 27, 30; April 1, 2012
The Abduction from the Seraglio April 28; May 1, 4, 6, 2012
Single tickets on sale now, starting at $10
Season subscriptions for as little as $43
For ticket information visit our website www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912
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