Community Initiatives
As part of our ongoing mission to enrich Pittsburgh and the tri-state area, Pittsburgh Opera strives to make opera intellectually and financially accessible to a diverse audience, offering both high quality opera productions and several free community events throughout the season.
| Brown Bag Concert Series | Pre-Opera Talks |
| Opera Up Close | Meet the Artists |
| Art Song Recitals | Master Classes |
| Film Series** |
Brown Bag Concert Series
The second Saturday of each month,
October 2010 - April 2011 at 12:00 PM
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip
FREE and open to the public
In the cozy new performance space at Pittsburgh Opera’s headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue) in the Strip District, friends, families and Pittsburghers of all ages are invited to come enjoy an intimate concert of some of opera’s most popular arias as well as a mix of Broadway, musical theater and other surprises. These concerts are a wonderful opportunity for an informal introduction to opera. Guests can even meet the performers after the show!
Bring a lunch or order a gourment boxed lunch from Right By Nature. Gourmet lunches start at $9 for adults and $5 for children. Lunches must be ordered in advance.
Call (412) 454-6200 to pre-order. Click Here for a menu.
Additional information about each Brown Bag Concert’s theme will be available in the calendar section of our website.
| 2010-2011 Brown Bag Concert Dates: Saturday, October 9 Saturday, November 13 Saturday, December 11 Saturday, January 15 Saturday, February 12 Saturday, March 12 Saturday, April 9 |
Local and Sustainable Food and Beverage Sponsor Right By Nature is located at 2305 Smallman Street For more information, call (412) 454-6200 or visit www.rightbynature.net |
Opera Up Close
Sundays before the opening of each production
September 2010 - April 2011 at 2:00 PM
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip
FREE and open to the public
Pittsburgh Opera is proud to host another season of its popular and free Opera Up Close presentations. These entertaining and insightful programs are offered five times per season in Pittsburgh Opera’s new headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue) in the Strip District, at 2:00 PM on Sundays before the opening of each production.
The Barber of Seville - September 26, 2010
Lucia di lammermoor - October 31, 2010
Rinaldo - Janiary 16, 2011
Turandot - March 13, 2011
Dialogues of the Carmelites - April 17, 2011
Each Opera Up Close begins with an in-depth musical analysis of the opera with Maestro Antony Walker and other guest conductors. Guests will be informed and entertained as the Maestro plays the piano, sings a few lines and tells anecdotes. After a short intermission where guests can enjoy light hospitality and chat with the Maestro, a moderated discussion panel will conclude the afternoon’s events. The panel of directors and star performers will give the guests an up-close and intimate behind-the-scenes peek into the world of opera ranging from deep, insightful analysis of each character to the light-hearted, comic stories of their personal experiences. Guests will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the panel and meet the artists afterward.
Art Song Recital Series
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip
FREE and open to the public
The Pittsburgh Opera Art Song Recitals are high-level, one-hour performances of art song literature by the Resident Artists of Pittsburgh Opera. These recitals are free and open to the public. The Pittsburgh Opera Guilds from Sewickley, Fox Chapel, South Hills and the City serve as reception hosts at these events. Additional details coming soon!
| Sunday, October 24, 2010 |
| Sunday, January 9, 2011 |
| Sunday, February 20, 2011 |
| Sunday, April 10, 2011 |
Pre-Opera Talks
Benedum Center Lower Level
One hour before each performance curtain
FREE to all ticketholders
Ticketholders are invited to attend a Pre-Opera Talk one hour before each performance’s curtain in the Main Floor/Orchestra section of the Benedum Center. Learn about the composer, the story and some juicy details about the opera! These talks are free to all ticketholders. For more information, call (412) 281-0912 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.
The Barber of Seville - October 9, 12, 15, 17, 2010
Lucia di Lammermoor - November 13, 16, 19, 21, 2010
Rinaldo - January 29; February 1, 4, 6, 2011
Turandot- March 26, 29; April 1, 3, 2011
Dialogues of the Carmelites - April 30; May 3, 6, 8, 2011
Meet the Artists
Benedum Center Lower Lobby
Immediately following Tuesday's performance
FREE to all Tuesday performance ticketholders
Ticketholders for each Tuesday performance are invited to join Pittsburgh Opera in the Lower Lobby of the Benedum Center immediately following the performance to enjoy light refreshments while listening to General Director Christopher Hahn and the stars of the production tell stories and give insights into the opera, their characters and their personal experiences. This event is free to all Tuesday performance ticketholders. For more information, call (412) 281-0912.
The Barber of Seville - October 12, 2010
Lucia di Lammermoor - November 16, 2010
Rinaldo - February 1, 2011
Turandot- March 29, 2011
Dialogues of the Carmelites - May 3, 2011
Master Classes
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip
FREE and open to the public
Expert instruction is an integral part of the training Resident Artists receive as part of the Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist Program. While most instruction is given in private, Pittsburgh Opera hosts public Master Classes throughout the season to give the community an opportunity to enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the instruction of the Resident Artists. Additional details coming soon!
Film Series
George R. White Theatre
University Center, Point Park University
414 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
**Free to all Pittsburgh Opera season subscribers
New to the lineup of Pittsburgh Opera community events in the 2010-2011 season is the Pittsburgh Opera Film Series, hosted in collaboration with Point Park. Guests are invited to enjoy films inspired by the season’s operas and gain insights into how opera has affected popular culture. Pittsburgh Opera subscribers receive priority invitations that include preferred seating and a pre-film reception. Subscribers will receive detailed information starting August 30, 2010.
Rabbit of Seville and A Fish Called Wanda
September 16, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, September 10 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
Gaslight
October 14, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, October 8 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
La belle et la bête
January 13, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, January 7 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
The Last Emperor
February 24, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, February 18 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
Danton
March 31, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, March 25 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
Community Relations Contact
Allison M. Ruppert
Marketing and Community Relations Manager
412-281-0912 x262
aruppert@pittsurghopera.org