The concert features acclaimed Soprano Susanna Phillips, Violist Paul Neubauer, and Pianist Anne-Marie McDermott at the Pittsburgh Playhouse on Monday, February 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Chamber Music Pittsburgh opens the 2024 half of its MainStage Live season next month with a salon-style concert featuring the SPA Trio. This ensemble features the “golden, powerful instrument” of acclaimed soprano Susanna Phillips (The Plain Dealer) paired with Paul Neubauer, former principal violist of the New York Philharmonic, and Anne-Marie McDermott, “one of the great American pianists of her generation” (The Philadelphia Inquirer).

Over a decade of performing together, SPA Trio has built a reputation for unparalleled excellence in its presentation of salon classics, celebrated as “collaborative music-making at its best” (Cleveland Classical). Audiences will get to experience the unusual and beautiful pairing of a soprano vocalist and obbligato viola, accompanied by the versatile talents of McDermott on piano. The concert features light salon songs by Amy Beach and George Gershwin, an aria by Felix Mendelssohn, and the monumental “Wesendonck” Lieder by Richard Wagner.

Susanna Phillips (soprano), Paul Neubauer (viola), Anne-Marie McDermott (piano) – Photo by Tristan Cook

Susanna Phillips is one of today’s most sought-after singing actors and recitalists. Known for her sparkling portrayal of Musetta in La Bohême, Phillips has sung at the Metropolitan Opera for 12 consecutive seasons. She also regularly appears with the world’s greatest orchestras. 

Violist Paul Neubauer has been described as “a master musician” (The New York Times). In addition to his appearances as a soloist and collaborator with major orchestras, Neubauer is a two-time Grammy nominee with multiple records. 

Anne-Marie McDermott is a remarkable soloist and collaborator, performing over 100 concerts a year around the world. She also serves as Artistic Director of the Bravo! Vail Music and Ocean Reef Music Festivals. 

Program

• Felix Mendelssohn Infelice, Concert Aria, Op. 94
• Robert Schumann Märchenbilder for Viola and Piano, Op. 113
• Amy Beach Chanson d’Amour, Ecstasy, The Year’s at the Spring
• Richard Wagner Wesendonck Lieder for Voice, Viola, and Piano, WWV 91
• Clara Schumann Nocturne for Piano, Op. 6, No. 2 
• George Gershwin Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, A Foggy Day/Love Walked In, Our Love is Here to Stay 

TICKETS AND DETAILS

Chamber Music Pittsburgh presents The SPA Trio at Pittsburgh Playhouse on Monday, February 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the 2023–24 MainStage Live  range from $35–53 and are available at https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/shows-events/special-events/spa-trio

Categories: Show Previews

Tags: Anne-Marie McDermott, Chamber Music Pittsburgh, Paul Neubauer, Pittsburgh Playhouse, SPA. Trio, Susanna Phillips