Eclectic Mix of Old and New & Special Events
February is the time of year when Pittsburgh Opera announces its plans for the upcoming season, and today is the day when they publish their official line-up. It’s early for complete cast and production credits, but we’ll certainly include more information on those in our previews as each opera draws nearer to the actual performances. Here’s what we know today:
The Barber of Seville (Il barbiere di Siviglia)
- Music by Gioachino Rossini, with a libretto by Cesare Sterbini
- Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
- October 14, 17, 20, 22, 2023
The Flying Dutchman (Der fliegende Holländer)
- Music and libretto by Richard Wagner
- Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
- November 11, 14, 17, 19, 2023
Iphigénie en Tauride (Iphigenia in Tauris)
- Music by Christoph Willibald Gluck, with a libretto by Nicolas-François Guillard
- Pittsburgh CAPA School Theater, downtown
- January 20, 23, 26, 28, 2024
Proving Up
- Music by Missy Mazzoli, with a libretto by Royce Vavrek, based on a short story by Karen Russell
- Bitz Opera Factory, in Pittsburgh’s Strip District
- February 17, 20, 23, 25, 2024
La Traviata (The Fallen Woman)
- Music by Giuseppe Verdi, with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
- Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
- March 16, 19, 22, 24, 2024
The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson
- Play by Sandra Seaton / Original music by Carlos Simon / Additional Music from Carmen by Georges Bizet / Text for original music by Sandra Seaton. Based on a true story.
- Byham Theater
- April 27, 30, May 3, 5, 2024
“It’s shaping up to be another wonderful season,” Christian D. Cox, the company’s Director of Marketing and Communications, told us. “We’re pleased to offer our community a diverse range of programming. We haven’t produced The Flying Dutchman – or anything else by Wagner – since 2003. Three of the six operas have never been performed before in Pittsburgh. We’re especially proud to showcase a trailblazing Pittsburgh pioneer in The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson. Her perseverance and tenacity were truly inspirational, and we look forward to giving more people in Pittsburgh the chance to get to know her.” Denyce Graves, in her second appearance with Pittsburgh Opera, will sing the title role.
As the company’s advance press tells those unfamiliar with Mary Cardwell Dawson, she was: “Pittsburgh’s unsung heroine who taught America to sing… Mary Cardwell Dawson’s dream to bring music to African American audiences changed the future of opera. Having founded the longest-running, all-Black opera company here in Pittsburgh and organizing opera guilds in the country’s biggest cities, Mary Cardwell Dawson would go on to train hundreds of African American youth to sing.” More information about the production is now available at Pittsburgh Opera’s website, but expect more as the performance dates draw nearer.
As usual, Pittsburgh Opera’s Special Events Calendar will be as follows:
69th Annual Diamond Horseshoe Celebration
- Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Bitz Opera Factory (2425 Liberty Avenue)
- Pittsburgh Opera’s season kick off soiree with live Resident Artist performances, a silent auction, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.
Fashion Show
- Monday, April 8, 2024
- Bitz Opera Factory (2425 Liberty Avenue)
- Combining fashion and opera, the annual fashion event.
Maecenas XXXIX
- Saturday, May 18, 2024
- Bitz Opera Factory (2425 Liberty Avenue)
- Signature black-tie event with dinner, dancing, and awards to celebrate the successful season.
And, as always, there will be free, low cost and other events, such as the free Rising Stars Concert, the student matinee* of “The Barber of Seville” and much more.
See you at the Opera!
Note: *Pittsburgh Opera’s annual Student Matinee will introduce 2,500+ school students grades 3–12 to this lively, colorful opera on Thursday, Oct. 18th at the Benedum Center. Tickets are $12, and are reserved through Pittsburgh Opera’s Education Department. For more information, please contact Marilyn Egan, Ph.D., Director of Education via email (megan@pittsburghopera.org)
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