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
Once a month, Saturdays at Noon
October 2011 - April 2012
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip
FREE and open to the public
In the George Rowland White Opera Studio 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!
Additional information about each Brown Bag Concert’s theme will be available in the calendar section of our website.
| 2011-2012 Brown Bag Concert Dates: Saturday, October 15 Saturday, November 12 Saturday, December 3 Saturday, January 14 Saturday, February 11 Saturday, March 10 Saturday, April 14 |
|
Opera Up Close
Sundays before the opening of each production
October 2011 - 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 at Pittsburgh Opera’s new headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue) in the Strip District, at 2:00 PM on Sundays before the opening of each production.
La traviata - October 2, 2011
The Pearl Fishers - October 30, 2011
Hansel & Gretel - January 15, 2012
Tosca - March 11, 2012
The Abduction from the Seraglio - April 15, 2012
Each Opera Up Close begins with an in-depth musical analysis of the opera with Maestro Antony Walker and other guest conductors. Maestro Walker plays the piano, sings a few lines, and tells anecdotes. After a short intermission, a moderated discussion panel concludes the afternoon’s events. The panel of directors and star performers will give the guests a behind-the-scenes peek into the world of opera, ranging from deep, insightful analysis of each character to the light-hearted, often funny 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
In the George Rowland White Opera Studio at 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.
| Sunday, November 13, 2011 |
| Sunday, January 8, 2012 |
| Sunday, February 19, 2012 |
| Sunday, March 4, 2012 |
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.
La traviata - October 15, 18, 21, 23, 2011
The Pearl Fishers - November 12, 15, 18, 20, 2011
Hansel & Gretel - January 28, 31; February 3, 5, 2012
Tosca - March 24, 27, 30; April 1, 2012
The Abduction from the Seraglio - April 28; May 1, 4, 6, 2012
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 fellow operagoers in the Lower Lobby of the Benedum Center immediately following the performance to enjoy General Director Christopher Hahn and the stars of the production telling stories and giving 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.
La traviata - October 18, 2011
The Pearl Fishers - November 15, 2011
Hansel & Gretel - January 31, 2012
Tosca - March 27, 2012
The Abduction from the Seraglio - May 1, 2012
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 2011-2012 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.
The Ruling Class
September 22, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, September 16 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
The River
November 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, October 28 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
A Night of Fairy-Tale Shorts
January 19, 2012 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, January 13 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
Tosca's Kiss
March 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, February 24 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
Amadeus
April 12, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, April 6 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