Contact:
Debra L. Bell, Director of Marketing and Communications
Office: (412) 281-0912, ext. 214
Pittsburgh Opera announces its 77th Season
Pittsburgh, PA… Pittsburgh
Opera announces its 2015-2016
season. The season includes four operas produced at the Benedum Center, and two
Resident Artist operas, including the annual production at Pittsburgh CAPA Theater
and the new Second Stage Project at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters.
PERFORMANCES
Verdi’s NABUCCO
Director and set designer Bernard Uzan conceived this
visually dazzling production of Verdi’s early work, starring Mark Delavan (Rigoletto, 2013) as the troubled monarch Nabucco,
and sizzling Hungarian soprano Csilla Boross as his daughter Abigaille.
Depicting the story of the Jews in exile in Babylon, Nabucco’s epic scale and
grandeur (including the famous chorus “Va, pensiero”) doesn’t eclipse the
intimate family story that is at the heart of the opera. Nabucco is a traditional production with the
added interest of large, impressive projections. Antony Walker
conducts.
Mozart’s COSÌ FAN TUTTE,
or The School for Lovers
Britain’s “favorite baritone” and the real-life Billy Elliot, Sir Thomas Allen,
directs this playful lesson in love–and stars as Don Alfonso, who schools two
young couples in fidelity. Former Resident Artists Jennifer Holloway (Don
Giovanni, 2012) and Danielle Pastin (Otello, 2014) star
as Dorabella and Fiordiligi, with newcomer Hadleigh Adams as Guglielmo. This Così fan tutte is set in the Italian seaside, in a
charming production from Boston Lyric Opera. Antony Walker
conducts.
Mark Adamo’s LITTLE WOMEN
The Resident Artists of Pittsburgh Opera will star in Pittsburgh Opera’s annual
production at CAPA Theater: Mark Adamo’s 1998 Little
Women, based on Louisa May Alcott’s Civil War-era coming-of-age novel.
Adamo’s opera has enjoyed frequent performances since its debut, including a
2001 broadcast on PBS “Great Performances.” Little
Womenis a new production by Pittsburgh Opera.
SECOND STAGE PROJECT: 27
The company’s Second
Stage Project takes up
residence for a third year in the George R. White Studio at Pittsburgh Opera
Headquarters in the 2015-16 season. Starring the Resident Artists, the
production is inspired by the Studio’s flexible performance space and the
desire to explore adventurous repertoire. The 2016 Second Stage Project is
Ricky Ian Gordon’s 27.
Named for the address of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas’s salon at 27 Rue
de Fleurus in Paris, 27 is a snapshot of the women’s shared
lives and their famous friends, including Picasso, Hemingway, and Matisse, who
stop in to visit. 27 is a new production by Pittsburgh
Opera.
Rossini’s THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
As do many comedies, The
Barber of Seville begins
with a fellow who’s smitten by a pretty girl. However, not many comedies have
that madcap quality that has made it such a popular favorite, given the
Hollywood treatment in this zany production. A stellar cast also makes this
opera a “don’t miss,” including former Resident Artist Jonathan Beyer (La
bohème, 2009) as Figaro, local favorite Kevin Glavin (La bohème,
2014) as Bartolo, and debuts by rising stars Emily Fons (Rosina) and Michele
Angelini (Almaviva). Antony Walker conducts.
Stravinsky’s THE RAKE’S PROGRESS
Concluding the 2015-‘16 mainstage season is the landmark
David Hockney production of The
Rake’s Progress, now owned by Pittsburgh Opera. This fable, based on William Hogarth’s famous series of
engravings of the same name,
bears an impressive pedigree, not only in the Hockney sets and costumes, but in
W. H. Auden’s libretto and Stravinsky’s electrifying score. Star tenor Alek
Shrader debuts as Tom Rakewell, alongside Layla Claire (The Magic Flute,
2013) and David Pittsinger (The Capulets and the Montagues, 2006)
as Nick Shadow. Antony Walker conducts; Roy Rallo directs.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Pittsburgh Opera’s signature fundraiser galas bookend each season:
The Diamond Horseshoe Ball ramps up the excitement, and Maecenas puts on the
finishing touch. The 61st annual Diamond
Horseshoe Ball kicks off
the 2015-‘16 season October 9, 2015, paired with Nabucco as part of a sparkling Opening
Weekend. In mid-season, back by popular demand, is our splashy New Year’s Eve
celebration with dinner, entertainment, and a party, on December 31, 2015 at
Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Maecenas
XXXII will carry on the
tradition of Pittsburgh Top Ten parties on May 14, 2016, closing the season
with panache.
FREE AND LOW-COST EVENTS
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Pittsburgh
Opera strives to bring opera
to all members of the community and is pleased to continue offering free and
low-cost events in the 2015-‘16 season. Introducing its Resident Artists to the
community, Pittsburgh Opera presents Rising
Stars, Sunday, September 20, 2015 in the George R. White Opera Studio
of Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue). Brown Bag concerts will continue monthly during the
season; the insightful Opera
Up Close returns five
times during the season, too.
The community is also invited to Art
Song Recitals, starring the Resident Artists; these recitals are hosted by
the Friends of Pittsburgh Opera. Also, the company continues Meet the Artists with General Director Christopher Hahn,
immediately following each Tuesday opera performance.
OPERA BROADCASTS/PREVIEWS
Pittsburgh Opera partners with Classical WQED FM 89.3 to broadcast its opera performances on
the airwaves and via the station’s website. Beginning September 5, 2015 withGrand
& Glorious, WQED FM 89.3 broadcasts the 2014-‘15 productions at 1:00 PM
on consecutive Saturdays, through October 10. WQED also produces half-hour
previews of each upcoming opera and broadcasts them twice before each opera’s
opening. Specific opera preview dates and times will be announced
soon.
TICKETS/SEASON TICKETS
As part of Pittsburgh Opera’s
continued efforts to make opera accessible to all members of the community, single tickets for
the 2015-‘16 season will again start at just $12. Season tickets are $43 -
$671. Single ticket sales begin August 24, 2015. For additional information,
call (412) 281-0912, or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.
THE OPERAS
Nabucco (1842)
By Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on Biblical episodes from the
books of Daniel and Jeremiah
Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage
Four performances at the Benedum Center
- Last performed
at Pittsburgh Opera in 1973
- Traditional
production, from Opera Carolina
Performances of Nabucco
Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 8:00
PM Friday, October 16, 2014 at
7:30 PM
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 7:00
PM Sunday, October 18, 2015 at
2:00 PM
Overview of Nabucco
Verdi’s career had just begun when his wife died and his second
opera Un giorno di regno failed; he swore never to compose
again, but was finally persuaded by La Scala’s impresario to read Solera’s
libretto for Nabucco.
It became a tremendous success: "this is the opera with which my artistic
career really begins. And though I had many difficulties to fight against, it
is certain that Nabucco was born under a lucky star." This wrenching story of the
plight of the Jews in Babylon, the father-daughter story at its heart, and an
exciting production featuring multiple projections makes Nabucco a welcome start to the season.
Pittsburgh Opera welcomes back Mark Delavan as Nabucco, after his
acclaimed appearance here as Scarpia/Tosca in 2012 and the title role in Rigoletto (2013). Red-hot Hungarian soprano
Csilla Boross debuts in the demanding role of Abigaille, while former Resident
Artist Oren Gradus takes the important role of the priest Zaccaria. Bernard
Uzan directs; Music Director Antony Walker conducts the Pittsburgh Opera
Orchestra and Chorus.
Cast and Artistic Team: Nabucco
Ismaele
TBA
Così fan tutte, or The School for Lovers (1790)
By W.A. Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage
Four performances at the Benedum Center
- Last performed
at Pittsburgh Opera in 2006
- Traditional
production, from Boston Lyric Opera
Performances of Così
fan tutte
Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 8:00
PM Friday,
November 13, 2014 at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 7:00 PM Sunday, November 15, 2015 at
2:00 PM
Overview of Così fan tutte
Given how popular Così
fan tutte is now, it is
hard to believe that it received only a few performances during Mozart’s life,
partly due to the long mourning period after the death of his patron, Emperor
Joseph II of Austria. Although the subject matter of testing lovers’ fidelity
didn’t offend Viennese sensibilities of the time, throughout the 19th and early
20th centuries it was considered risqué. After World War II, the opera finally
regained its place in the standard operatic repertoire.
Sir Thomas Allen debuts at Pittsburgh Opera in the dual role of
stage director and Don Alfonso. Noted as the inspiration for “Billy Elliot,”
Allen has also been called Britain’s “Favorite Baritone.” Former Resident
Artist Danielle Pastin, hailed in local media for her role debut here as
Desdemona/Otello (2014),
returns as Fiordiligi, while another former Resident Artist Jennifer Holloway
(Donna Elvira/Don Giovanni, 2012), portrays her friend Dorabella,
both subjected to the test of fidelity to their lovers Ferrando and
Guglielmo–with no small amount of scheming by Don Alfonso and the maid Despina
(Sari Gruber, La bohème,
2014). Music Director Antony Walker conducts.
Cast and Artistic Team: Così
fan tutte
Ferrando
TBA
Little Women (1998)
By Mark Adamo
Libretto by Mark Adamo, based on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (1868)
Sung in English with English texts projected above the stage
Four performances at CAPA Theater, 111 Ninth Street, Downtown
- PITTSBURGH
PREMIERE in a NEW PRODUCTION by Pittsburgh Opera
Performances of Little
Women
Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 8:00
PM Friday, January 29, 2016 at
7:30 PM
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 7:00
PM Sunday, January 31, 2016 at
2:00 PM
Overview of Little
Women
Louisa May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age novel set in 1860s New
England is the inspiration for Mark Adamo’s 1998 opera, which has enjoyed
remarkable success, including a PBS “Great Performances” television special in
2001 and much critical acclaim, by The New York Times and others.
Pittsburgh Opera once again features its Resident Artists in major
roles in a new production: Corrie Stallings takes the lead as irrepressible Jo;
Laurel Semerdjian is the practical Meg; Adelaide Boedecker is the fragile Beth.
Pittsburgh Opera will again partner with Carnegie Mellon School of Drama for
set design of this new production. Crystal Manich (Rodelinda,
2015) directs; Glenn Lewis (Paul’s Case, 2014) conducts.
Cast and Artistic Team: Little
Women
Amy
TBA *
Brooke
TBA *
Second Stage Project: 27
(2014)
By Ricky Ian Gordon
Libretto by Royce Vavrek
Sung in English with English texts projected above the stage
Four performances at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty
Ave., in the Strip
- PITTSBURGH
PREMIERE in a NEW PRODUCTION by Pittsburgh Opera
Performances of 27
Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 8:00
PM Friday, February 26, 2016 at
7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 7:00
PM Sunday, February 28, 2016 at
2:00 PM
Overview of 27
Debuting in June 2014 at Opera Theatre of St. Louis and composed
for Stephanie Blythe, Ricky Ian Gordon’s 27 is already acclaimed for its
“quick-witted libretto,” “serious fun” and “tuneful score.” 27 is named for the address of Gertrude
Stein and Alice B. Toklas’s salon at 27 Rue de Fleurus in Paris, and is a
humorous snapshot of the women’s shared lives and their famous visitors,
including Picasso, Hemingway, and Matisse. 27 is a new production by Pittsburgh
Opera.
Cast and Artistic Team: 27
Leo
Stein
TBA *
Conductor
TBA
The Barber of Seville (Il barbiere di Siviglia) (1816)
by Giaochino Rossini
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini,
based on a play of the same title by Pierre Beaumarchais
Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage
Four performances at the Benedum Center
- Last performed
at Pittsburgh Opera in 2010
- Hollywood-inspired
production, set in a Sevillian movie studio
Performances of The
Barber of Seville
Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 8:00
PM Friday, April 8, 2016 at 7:30
PM
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 7:00
PM Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 2:00
PM
ALSO: Thursday, April
7: Student Matinee performance at 10:30 AM
Overview of The
Barber of Seville
One of the wonderful things about a comic masterpiece such as The Barber of Seville is that it lends itself seamlessly to
an alternate treatment. Bugs Bunny’s incredibly popular “Rabbit of Seville” is
testament to that mutability, and the charming production by Vancouver Opera
that comes to Pittsburgh in Spring 2016 takes the action to a movie studio in
Seville, with Rosina as its resident starlet and Bartolo as the studio boss.
Madcap antics ensue.
Pittsburgh Opera continues to show its pride in its former Resident Artists by
bringing back Jonathan Beyer (La bohème, 2009) as Figaro, and
Kevin Glavin (La bohème, 2014) as Bartolo. Michele Angelini,
Emily Fons, and Brandon Cedel make debuts as Almaviva, Rosina, and Basilio.
Linda Brovsky (Rigoletto, 2013) directs; Antony Walker conducts
the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
Pittsburgh Opera’s annual Student Matinee will introduce 2000+ school children
grades 3-12 to this lively, colorful opera on Thursday, April 7 at the Benedum
Center. The Resident Artists take lead roles in the Student Matinee, and are
accompanied by the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra, in yet another opportunity to
hone performance skills.
Cast and Artistic Team: The
Barber of Seville
Bartolo
Kevin Glavin **
Lighting
Designer
TBA
Asst.
Conductor
TBA
Original production by Vancouver Opera, now owned by Pittsburgh
Opera.
The Rake’s Progress (1951)
By Igor Stravinsky
Libretto by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman, based loosely on the engravings of
Sung in English, with English texts projected above the stage
Four performances at the Benedum Center
- Pittsburgh Opera
premiere
- Production by
David Hockney
Performances of The
Rake’s Progress
Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 8:00
PM Friday, May 6, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 7:00
PM Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Overview of The
Rake’s Progress
A simple fable that has been given “the treatment” in visual art,
ballet, film, and opera, Tom Rakewell’s journey from fortunate heir to gambler
to inmate at Bedlam resonates most dramatically in the hands of Igor
Stravinsky, W. H. Auden, and David Hockney, who designed the sets and costumes.
The stellar cast also adds shine to the Pittsburgh premiere ofThe Rake’s
Progress. (In 2001, The
Rake’s Progress was
performed in Pittsburgh: an abbreviated production with a student orchestra, at
Pittsburgh Opera Center. The 2016 performances will be the first that are
fully-produced.)
Layla Claire, acclaimed locally as Pamina/The Magic Flute (2013), returns as Anne Trulove,
alongside David Pittsinger (The Capulets and the Montagues, 2008)
as Nick Shadow. Alek Shrader will bring “youthful vibrant tenor and superb
vocalism” to the role of Tom Rakewell, in a Pittsburgh Opera debut. Roy Rallo
directs; Music Director Antony Walker conducts the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra
and Chorus.
Cast and Artistic Team: The
Rake’s Progress
Baba the
Turk
TBA
Sellem
TBA
Lighting
Designer
TBA
Production from San Francisco Opera; production now owned by Pittsburgh Opera.
Pittsburgh Opera strives
to make opera intellectually and financially accessible to a diverse audience
and this season is proud to
continue offering single tickets starting
at $12. In addition to single tickets, the Opera has a wide range of season ticket options,
starting at just $43.
Subscribers enjoy the benefits of:
¡ The best seats at the best prices
¡ Easy, FREE ticket exchanges
¡ Split-Pay Plan for Early Birds: up to
5 months to pay for the subscription
¡ Reserved parking at Theater Square
Garage
¡ 15% subscriber discount on additional
single tickets to mainstage operas
¡ 20% subscriber discount on the
Resident Artist opera
¡ Money-Back Guarantee: – if subscribers
are not satisfied with their first opera,
SPECIAL EVENTS
Rising Stars
Sunday, September 20, 2015, 6:00 PM
61st annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball
Friday, October 9, 2015, 7:00 PM
Location TBA
Pittsburgh Opera special
events have a reputation for elegance and excitement. The annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball is its
signature season kickoff gala,
where guests enjoy an evening of cocktails, dinner, dancing, and special
entertainment. Each year, one lucky Diamond Horseshoe Ball guest is selected at
random to receive a diamond-encrusted pendant in the shape of a horseshoe. The 61st annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball will be held on Friday, October 9,
2015, at a location to be announced. Call Alli Frymoyer at (412) 281-0912, ext.
225 for more information.
New Year’s Eve
Thursday, December 31, 2015, 7:30 PM
Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland
Back by popular demand! This glittery event, the only one of its
kind in Pittsburgh, returns to Carnegie Music Hall for dinner, entertainment
and party to ring in 2015. The entertainment will feature members of the
Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and our Resident Artists, with details to be
announced at a later time. Auld
Lang Syne will be held on
Thursday, December 31, 2014, at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Call Alli
Frymoyer at (412) 281-0912, ext. 225 for more information.
Maecenas XXXII
Saturday, May 14, 2016, 6:00 PM
Location TBA
Consistently hailed as one of Pittsburgh “Top Ten” parties, Pittsburgh
Opera's Maecenas is
the social event not to be missed! Named for Gaius Maecenas, the wealthy Roman
statesman and cultural patron, the Maecenas gala has
developed a reputation for a spectacular environment and great entertainment. Maecenas XXXII will be held on Saturday, May 14,
2016. Specific details will be released at a later date. Call Alli Frymoyer at
(412) 281-0912, ext. 225 for more information.
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Selected Sundays during the season, 2:00 PM
George R.
White Opera Studio, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue)
In the 2015-‘16 season, Pittsburgh
Opera continues to present Art Song Recitals. Each recital
offers one-hour performances of art song literature from a variety of composers
and styles, featuring Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artists. Art Song
recital dates, performers and selections will be released at a later date. Call
(412) 281-0912, ext. 257 for more information. There is a $5 general admission
fee, but Art Song Recitals are free to members of Friends of Pittsburgh Opera and to donors at $50+.
Brown Bag Concerts
Selected Saturdays during the season, 12:00 PM
October 17,
2015
February 6, 2016
November 14,
2015
March 19, 2016
December 12,
2015
April 6, 2016
January 9,
2016
Selected Sundays during the season, 2:00 PM
Nabucco – September
27, 2015 27 – February 14, 2016
Cosi fan tutte – October 25,
2015 The
Barber of Seville – March
20, 2016
Little Women – January 10, 2016 The Rake’s Progress – April 17,
2016
Ticketholders for each Tuesday opera performance are invited to
join General Director Christopher Hahn immediately following the performance
to enjoy lively repartee, as Mr. Hahn interviews the stars of the production.
This event is free to all Tuesday opera ticketholders, and is held in the Lower
Lobby for Benedum performances, in the Black Box for CAPA performances, and in
the performance space at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters.
Meet the Artists Dates
2015-‘16
Nabucco – Tuesday,
October 13, 2015
Così fan tutte – Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Little Women – Tuesday, January 26, 2016
(at CAPA Theater)
27 – Tuesday, February 23, 2016 (at Pittsburgh
Opera Headquarters)
The Barber of Seville – Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Daughter of the Regiment – Tuesday, May 3, 2016
FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera Events
Friends of Pittsburgh Opera schedules events geared toward fellowship,
fundraising, and opera scholarship during the year. Events for 2015-‘16
included a Holiday party, a Valentine’s Day dinner/dance party, salon-type
events, and talks by opera aficionados and scholars. The schedule of 2015-’16
FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera events will be announced at a later
time.
Additional Events
Pittsburgh Opera, in collaboration with Classical
WQED-FM 89.3, will broadcast the 2014-2015 season productions, giving listeners
an opportunity to enjoy the operas all over again. For more information, call
(412) 281-0912, ext. 214.
Grand & Glorious –
September 5, 2015 Sumeida’s
Song – September 26, 2015
Otello – September 12, 2015
Carmen – October 3, 2015
Rodelinda –
September 19, 2015
Daughter of the Regiment – October
10, 2015
Pittsburgh Opera Previews on WQED-FM 89.3
Hosted by WQED’s Stephen Baum, these previews are broadcast twice
before each production opens, giving listeners an in-depth introduction to the
singers, music and production of each of the season’s operas. Visit the Pittsburgh
Opera website after June 30
for specific dates. For more information, call (412) 281-0912, ext. 214.
Ticketholders are invited to attend a Pre-Opera Talk one hour before each performance’s
curtain (except
the Second Stage Project) in
the Main Floor/Orchestra section of the Benedum Center or in the Black Box for
CAPA performances. Learn about the composer, the story and some juicy details
about the opera! These talks are free to all ticketholders. Visit www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912, ext. 234 for
more information.
