PNC Pops 2012 - 2013 Season

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2012

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES PNC POPS 2012-2013 SEASON

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) today announced the 2012-2013 PNC Pops Season, celebrating Marvin Hamlisch’s 18th season as Principal Pops Conductor with the PSO.

Hamlisch recently agreed to extend his contract as Principal Pops Conductor through the 2014-2015 season.

“I perform for many audiences each year and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s family of concertgoers is, by far, one of the best in the world,” Hamlisch said. “That’s why I put together a season that’s sure to please.”

2012-2013 PNC Pops Season

Hamlisch and the PSO jump into an invigorating new season with American Idol pop sensation and television star Katharine McPhee. Star of the hit Spielberg/NBC TV series SMASH, McPhee joins the PSO to lend her vocal stylings to classics, such as, Cole Porter’s Under My Skin, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, and “Somewhere” from West Side Story. She was a finalist on American Idol in 2006, and has since collaborated with Andrea Bocelli, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Chris Botti and David Foster. (Sept. 27-30)

In November, the PSO pays tribute to the greatest rock band ever when Classical Mystery Tour returns to Heinz Hall by popular demand to celebrate The Beatles and Sgt. Pepper’s 45th Anniversary with the PSO. The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is the first rock album to ever win a Grammy for Album of the year. PSO’s new Assistant Conductor Fawzi Haimor conducts favorite Beatles hits presented by a group of musicians who look and sound like John, Paul, George and Ringo. (Nov. 15-18)

Hamlisch returns in December for six performances of the popular Highmark Holiday Pops, where he will premiere a new song inspired by his children’s book to be released in the fall. The concerts include Rachel DeShon, winner of Marvin’s Search for a Star competition, and the return of singing Allegheny County Sheriff’s detective, Ricky Manning, and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. (Dec. 20-23)

No one knows the music of love better than Hamlisch! He and the PSO put together a show just in time for Valentine’s Day with My Funny Valentine, also featuring the All-Star College Chorus. Broadway stars Melissa Errico and Ryan Silverman join the PSO for “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady, the theme from Ice Castles and many more glorious love songs. (Feb. 7-10, 2013)

Where else could you hear Judy Garland sing with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra? Next March, audiences can experience the classic film The Wizard of Oz as never before – accompanied by the PSO. For one weekend, audiences will see this beloved, Oscar-winning film and hear the music that has captured the hearts and imaginations of generations. (March 14-17, 2013)

Disco Days & Boogie Nights, featuring music from the ‘70s, comes to Heinz Hall in May. Conductor Jack Everly returns to lead the PSO in anthems and classic hits, such as I Will Survive, Bohemian Rhapsody, and American Pie. Along with hits from the Bee Gees, The Village People, The Carpenters and Billy Joel, the groovy songs from a decade of music come together for one dynamite symphonic performance. (May 2-5, 2013)

The season concludes on a grand note when trumpeter Chris Botti returns to perform with Hamlisch and the PSO. Botti is the best selling jazz artist in the U.S. today, and his success has crossed over to pops audiences. A popular PBS artist, Botti has worked with Frank Sinatra, Sting, Paul Simon, Michael Bublé, Joni Mitchell and Andrea Bocelli. (June 13-16, 2013)

Seven-concert subscriptions range from $117.25 to $652.75, and can be purchased by calling 412.392.4900, or visiting www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

The PSO would like to recognize and thank PNC for its 2012-2013 title sponsorship of the PNC Pops, marking PNC’s 12th consecutive year as title sponsor of this series. The PSO would also like to recognize and thank Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for its 2012 title sponsorship of Highmark Holiday Pops. Fairmont Pittsburgh is the official hotel of the PSO.

Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.

PNC POPS

Katharine McPhee & Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch, conductor
Katharine McPhee, vocalist

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.

PNC POPS

Classical Mystery Tour
Fawzi Haimor, conductor
Jim Owens as John Lennon
Tony Kishman as Paul McCartney
John Brosnan as George Harrison
Chris Camilleri as Ringo Starr

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

HIGHMARK HOLIDAY POPS

Marvin Hamlisch, conductor
Rachel DeShon, vocalist
Jenny Oaks Baker, violin
Ricky Manning, vocalist
Joseph Serafini, vocalist
Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, directed by Betsy Burleigh
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School


Thursday, Feb. 7. 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.

PNC POPS

My Funny Valentine with Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch, conductor
Melissa Errico, vocalist
Doug LaBrecque, vocalist
All-Star College Chorus, directed by Robert Page

Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 15, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.

PNC POPS

The Wizard of Oz
Lawrence Loh, conductor


Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.

PNC POPS

Disco Days & Boogie Nights
Jack Everly, conductor
N’Kenge, vocalist
Chapter 6, vocal group
Anne Beck, vocalist
Farah Alvin, vocalist

Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 14, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.

PNC POPS
Chris Botti & Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch, conductor
Chris Botti, trumpet

Pops Talks (an insider’s look at the concert) follow each Thursday performance.
All artists, programs and dates are subject to change.
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Contact:
James Barthen, Vice President of Public Affairs
Phone: 412.392.4835
email: jbarthen@pittsburghsymphony.org

Contact:
Ramesh Santanam, Director of Media Relations
Phone: 412.392.4827
email: rsantanam@pittsburghsymphony.org

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Puccini's Tosca at The Benedum

For Immediate Release March 8, 2012


Contact:

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

Pittsburgh Opera presents Puccini’s dramatic Tosca

What: Giacomo Puccini’s opera Tosca

Where: Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

7th Street and Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh

When: Saturday, March 24, 8:00 PM Tuesday, March 27, 7:00 PM

Friday, March 30, 8:00 PM Sunday, April 1, 2:00 PM

Run Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes, including 2 intermissions

Language: Sung in Italian with English titles projected above the stage

Tickets: Start at $10 for all performances.

Call 412-456-6666 for more information or visit www.pittsburghopera.org

Pittsburgh, PA…Pittsburgh Opera brings a magnificent traditional production of Puccini’s Tosca to the Benedum Center stage March 24 – April 1 in four performances. This gripping tale of one day and night in the life of the singer Floria Tosca has held audiences’ fascination since its debut in 1900, with its lyrical melodies, high drama, and astonishing ending: Tosca is pulled into international intrigue by the man she loves, murders the most powerful and corrupt man in Rome, and eventually makes the ultimate lover’s leap.

Angela Brown and Hugo Vera make their Pittsburgh Opera debuts as Tosca and her lover Cavaradossi, respectively; Mark Delavan (Falstaff, 2009) returns as the chief of the secret police, Baron Scarpia, and Kevin Glavin (Falstaff, 2009; The Barber of Seville, 2010) also returns as the Sacristan. Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists Adam Fry, Juan José de León, and Kyle Oliver appear as Angelotti, Spoletta, and Sciarrone, respectively. Music Director Antony Walker conducts the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra; Kristine McIntyre (Flight, 2008; The Marriage of Figaro, 2010) returns as stage director. Members of the Children’s Festival Chorus join the Pittsburgh Opera Chorus for the momentous Act I finale.

Angela Brown’s 2004 Metropolitan Opera debut launched a career that includes the world premiere of Margaret Garner, Aidas and Toscas around the world, including a 2008 Aida in Cape Town, South Africa, and the creation of Ms. Brown’s program “Opera from a Sistah’s Point of View,” which is presented throughout the country. “Sistah’s Point of View” contains commentary, arias, art songs, and spiritual songs that help dispel the myths of opera’s inaccessibility and elitism.

Mr. Vera, a Texas native, recently joined the Metropolitan Opera roster and has already sung several roles there, while also making role and company debuts such as Neruda/Il Postino with Opera Company of Philadelphia, Radames/Aida with Memphis Opera, and Philemon/Philemon and Baucis at Spoleto Festival USA. His training includes artist programs at Glimmerglass Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, and Minnesota Opera.

Mark Delavan’s appearances as Pittsburgh Opera’s Falstaff (2009) had audiences roaring with laughter, but he also has extensive experience as the “heavy.” He sang all three of Wagner’s Wotan roles (in Das Rheingold, Die Walküre and Siegfried) between 2008 and 2011. Iago/Otello is one of his signature roles, along with Scarpia/Tosca. He also returns to Pittsburgh Opera in October 2012 as Rigoletto.

Tosca runs March 24, 27, 30 and April 1, 2012. Tickets to Tosca start at $10, with all performances at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, 7th Street and Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh. For additional information or to purchase tickets call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.

Facts about the opera

¡ In January 1900, at a time of unrest in Italy, Tosca’s premiere was postponed for one day after bomb threats were issued in Rome. Its premiere was a national event, with dignitaries such as Queen Margherita and the prime minister attending, not to mention his operatic rivals Cilea and Mascagni. The Roman premiere was the culmination of a fractious four-year process of molding the popular (and wordy) 1887 French play La Tosca by Victorien Sardou into an opera. Remarkably, Puccini was largely satisfied with his original score, and made few revisions afterward, all minor.

¡ Puccini initially passed over the young tenor Enrico Caruso for the role of Cavaradossi, but after Tosca’s premiere, Caruso and soprano Emmy Destinn were the must-have Cavaradossi and Tosca for numerous performances.

The story, in brief

In Rome, 1800, the painter Cavaradossi works on a portrait of Mary Magdalene in the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle when the revolutionary Angelotti rushes in, just having escaped from jail. Cavaradossi hides his friend in the chapel, then receives a visit from his lover, the tempestuous diva Tosca. They agree to meet that night, and when she leaves, an alarm signals that the police are coming for the escaped prisoner. Cavaradossi hurries to hide Angelotti in his villa.

The Sacristan brings in the choir to sing a Te Deum with Tosca, but their excitement is stifled at the arrival of Baron Scarpia, chief of the secret police, who wants Tosca for himself, and incites her jealousy. He summons her later to the Farnese Palace, where he has Cavaradossi held and tortured within earshot. Unnerved, Tosca reveals Angelotti’s hiding place and Cavaradossi turns on her as he is dragged to prison.

Scarpia suggests that Tosca yield herself to him in exchange for her lover’s life. Hearing that Angelotti has been caught and has killed himself, Tosca is forced to agree. The Baron pretends to order a mock execution for Cavaradossi and signs safe-conduct papers, but Tosca takes a knife from the table and kills Scarpia, seizing the papers.

At dawn, Cavaradossi awaits execution, and is surprised to see Tosca, who tells him that she has killed Scarpia and that his execution will not be real. She coaches him on how to die convincingly, and the soldiers fire and depart. Cavaradossi fails to move, and Tosca realizes that the bullets were indeed real. As police rush in to arrest her for Scarpia’s murder, Tosca calls on Scarpia to meet her before God, and leaps to her death.

Tosca opens Saturday, March 24 and continues March 27, 30 and April 1, 2012. Tickets start at $10. Call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.

The Pittsburgh Opera 2011-2012 season is generously sponsored by PNC Foundation.

Tickets and Group Discounts

Tickets for all performances of Tosca start at $10. Group discounts are available. For tickets, call (412) 456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org. For discounted group tickets (6 or more), contact Randy Adams at 412-281-0912, x 213.

The Tosca campaign: Discover Yourself

Pittsburgh Opera is pleased to feature Pitt Women’s Basketball Coach Agnus Berenato as a leaping Tosca in its advertising and promotions for Tosca. “Coach B” was made up, wigged, and costumed in a ball gown as preparation for repeated jumps from a raised platform onto a crash pad. Encouraging her all the way were photographer Duane Rieder and Christopher Hahn and Jerry Sherk from Pittsburgh Opera. A behind-the-scenes video showing how Coach B prepared for her leaps can be seen at www.pittsburghopera.org starting March 10. Pittsburgh agency MARC USA recently won two Addys for the “Discover Yourself” campaign.

Related Events

Angela Brown in Concert

Thursday, March 8, 2012 – 6:00 PM

The George R. White Opera Studio at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters

(2425 Liberty Avenue)

Angela Brown, starring in the title role of Pittsburgh Opera’s Tosca, gives a concert in the intimate environs of Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, including excerpts from her program “Opera from a Sistah’s Point of View.” The event begins at 6:00 PM with wine and hors d’oeuvres; the concert begins at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at www.pittsburghopera.org. For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, contact Samuel Badger at 412-281-0912 x 225 or sbadger@pittsburghopera.org.

Brown Bag Concert

Saturday, March 10, 2012 – 12:00 PM

The George R. White Opera Studio at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters

(2425 Liberty Avenue)

This one-hour concert begins at 12:00 PM and features the Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists in a family-friendly program, with a “Speedy Delivery” by Mr. McFeely of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. The Brown Bag concerts provide an informal introduction to opera, and guests can meet the performers after the concert. Guests are encouraged to bring a lunch. Doors open at 11:30. Pittsburgh Opera is grateful to Eden Hall Foundation for sponsoring Brown Bag Concerts.


Opera Up Close: Tosca

Sunday, March 11 – 2:00 PM

The George Rowland White Opera Studio at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters

Opera Up Close is an entertaining and insightful program held on Sunday, March 11, at the George R. White Opera Studio in Pittsburgh Opera’s headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue) in the Strip. Opera Up Close includes an in-depth musical analysis of the opera Tosca with Stage Director Kristine McIntyre, tenor Hugo Vera (“Cavaradossi”), Assistant Conductor Glenn Lewis, and Director of Artistic Operations Bill Powers. A reception follows, hosted by the Pittsburgh Opera Guilds. For more information, call (412) 281-0912 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.

Tosca Previews on WQED-FM 89.3 and WQED.ORG/FM

Saturday, March 17 – 12:30 PM; Friday, March 23 – 7:00 PM

Hosted by WQED’s Stephen Baum, and broadcast on radio as well as the WQED website, this Tosca preview gives listeners an in-depth introduction to the singers, music and production of the opera. For more information, call (412) 281-0912 or visit http://www.pittsburghopera.org/.

Pre-Opera Talks

Benedum Center Main Floor

Ticketholders are invited to attend a Pre-Opera Talk on Tosca one hour before each performance’s curtain in the Orchestra Section (Main Floor) of the Benedum Center. Learn about the composer and the story of the opera. These talks are free to all ticketholders.

Meet the Artists

Tuesday, March 27

Immediately following the opera in the Benedum Lower Lobby

Ticketholders for the Tuesday, March 27 performance of Tosca are invited to gather in the Benedum Lower Lobby immediately following the performance for interviews with General Director Christopher Hahn and the stars of the opera. This event is free to all Tuesday performance ticketholders.

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.

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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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Dance Council Presents US Premiere of Last Touch First

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Today's date: March 9, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

Diana Roth
(412) 471-8717
roth@trustarts.org

The U.S. Premiere of Last Touch First presented by Pittsburgh Dance Council

Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue

Credit:  Robert Benschop

Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, proudly presents the U.S. premiere of “Last Touch First”, created by famed Dutch choreographer Jiří Kylián and expat Michael Schumacher, at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture on Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. “...an intimate and moving performance, in which desperation, madness and loneliness touch the depths of the six characters. The dancers move almost an hour in super slow motion, situated in the atmosphere of 19th century, which reminds of the grotesque plays by Russian author Anton Chekhov” (NRC Handelsblad).

Tickets ($35) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. First Commonwealth is the proud season sponsor of Pittsburgh Dance Council, and 90.5 Essential Public Radio is the media sponsor. This performance of “Last Touch First” is also part of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Distinctively Dutch Festival*.

“Last Touch First” originated from a small idea from the Holland Dance Festival. Dance improviser Michael Schumacher and dancer Sabine Kupferberg were to make a duet based on improvisation systems that were developed while working together on “The Moment,” a piece created for Nederlands Dans Theater III (2001). However, this idea grew into a project of respectable size, based on Jiří Kylián’s “Last Touch,” created for Nederlands Dance Theater III (2003). Therefore, with the combined minds of Jiří Kylián and Sabine Kupferberg, Michael Schumacher created the ensemble piece “Last Touch First,” which premiered in February 2008 at Korzo Theater in The Hague.

Artistic direction for “Last Touch First” stems from the ingenious minds of Michael Schumacher and Jiří Kylián. Schumacher began his career as a dancer at various ballets including: Frankfurt Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance, the Feld Ballet and the Pretty Ugly Dance Company. Schumacher continued his career with guest appearances for Peter Sellars, as well as productions with several artists such as Sylvie Guillem, Dana Caspersen, and Anouk van Dijk. He currently performs with an Amsterdam-based collective of improvisation artists at the Magpie Music Dance Company and also teaches workshops in improvisation techniques and movement analysis.

Prague native Jiří Kylián became increasingly interested in the performing arts by studying at the Ballet School of Prague National Theatre, Prague Conservatory, and the Royal Ballet School in London. He became the artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theatre in 1975 after creating his first choreography for the company two years prior. Kylián’s numerous works can be seen throughout the world, and his choreographies are to be found on the repertoire of numerous dance companies all over the world. In 1991, the Holland Dance Festival opened with Jiří Kylián’s first piece for Nederlands Dans Theater III, and in 2005 he celebrated his 30th anniversary at Nederlands Dans Theater by opening the Holland Dance Festival with a production for Nederlands Dans Theater II.

Jiří Kylián has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including three Nijinsky Awards, Honorary Medal from the president of the Czech Republic, Benois de la Danse in Moscow and Berlin, The Golden Lion at Venice Biennale (2008), and the Medal for Art and Science of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix (2008).

Each year the Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, showcases a world-class season of dance. As the largest presenter of international performances in the city, the Pittsburgh Dance Council continues to help make our Cultural District one of the country’s leading arts and entertainment centers.

*The Distinctively Dutch Festival is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, in collaboration with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. From February through May, 2012, throughout downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, the Festival will feature a range of contemporary work that is reflective of today’s Dutch culture, including dance, jazz, visual art, film, theater, children’s theater and literature. The Festival is part of the Cultural Trust’s mission to present a wide variety of art forms, as well as companies and artists who represent our world’s rich cultural heritages. The Cultural Trust seeks to present artists of the highest quality and caliber in each discipline, particularly artists who would not normally have an opportunity to be seen in Pittsburgh or the United States. For more information visit www.trustarts.org/dutchfestival.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh