76th season, a ‘Grand & Glorious’ concert of vocal and orchestral fireworks from Rigoletto, Pagliacci, Norma, La forza del destino, Cavalleria Rusticana, and the overture to Die Meistersinger, to name a few. Grand & Glorious is one night only, October 18, 8:00 p.m. Tickets start at $12.
For Immediate Release September 16, 2014
A concert of vocal and orchestral fireworks
opens the Pittsburgh Opera season:
GRAND & GLORIOUS
What: Season-opening concert, GRAND & GLORIOUS
Where: Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
7th Street and Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
When: One night only: Saturday, October 18, 8:00 p.m.
Run Time: 2 hours, including 1 intermission
Language: English texts are projected above the stage
Tickets: Start at $12.
Call 412-456-6666 for more information or visit pittsburghopera.org
Related Diamond Horseshoe Ball; Brown Bag concert; Audio Description for
Events: those with visual impairments.
Pittsburgh, PA… Vocal and orchestral fireworks kick off Pittsburgh Opera’s 76th season, with a one-night-only concert of dazzling operatic super-hits: GRAND & GLORIOUS, on stage at the Benedum Center Saturday, October 18. Featuring selections such as “Casta diva” from Norma, “Vesti la giubba” from Pagliacci, the overture to Die Meistersinger, the famous Act III Quartet from Rigoletto, and even the dramatic final scene of Il trovatore, the concert stars “vocal powerhouse” and quickly-rising star soprano Angela Meade; former Resident Artist and internationally-acclaimed mezzo-soprano Marianne Cornetti; and tenor Carl Tanner, who wowed audiences as Radames in his Pittsburgh debut in last season’s AIDA. GRAND & GLORIOUS is also a rare opportunity to enjoy the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra on stage, with Music Director Antony Walker conducting. Pittsburgh Opera’s 2014-15 Resident Artists appear on the program as well.
The GRAND & GLORIOUS singers take on some incredibly demanding music. For instance, the soprano aria “Casta diva” (“Chaste Goddess”), sung by Angela Meade as the title character in Bellini’s Norma, calls for great vocal control as well as a wide range of emotions: conflict, romantic life, maternal love, friendship, jealousy, and even murderous intent. Ms. Meade has sung Norma at The Metropolitan Opera and Washington National Opera, both in 2013. Carl Tanner will reprise “Vesti la giubba” (“Put on your costume”) from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, one of the most moving moments in opera, when the clown Canio discovers his wife’s infidelity – but the show must go on. Carl Tanner’s 2007 appearance in the role at New York City Opera was called “the performance of a lifetime.”
The GRAND & GLORIOUS program (subject to change):
Overture to Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg
“Casta Diva” from Bellini’s Norma
“Voi lo sapete, o mamma” from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana
The Duetto, Sornello and Seguito del Duetto from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana
“Au fond du temple saint” from Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers
“Bel Raggio Lusinghier” from Rossini’s Semiramide
Finale from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana
Intermission
Overture to Glinka’s Ruslan and Lludmila
Act III Quartet, “Bella figlia dell’amore” from Verdi’s Rigoletto
“Pace, pace mio dio” from Verdi’s La forza del destino
“Vesti la giubba” from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci
“Acerba voluttà, dolce tortura” from Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvrer
Final scene from Verdi’s Il trovatore
Tickets to GRAND & GLORIOUS start at $12, with one performance at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, 7th Street and Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh. For additional information, videos, and cast biographies, visit www.pittsburghopera.org. To purchase tickets, call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.
The 2014-15 Pittsburgh Opera season is generously supported by PNC.
The Capital Grille is the Opening Night Sponsor.
WQED-FM is Season Media Sponsor.
Artistic Team
Soprano Soloist Angela Meade +
Mezzo-Soprano Soloist Marianne Cornetti **
Tenor Soloist Carl Tanner
Ensemble Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists
Conductor Antony Walker
Director Jennifer Williams *
Lighting Designer Cindy Limauro
Hair & Makeup Designer James Geier
Asst. Conductor Glenn Lewis
Director of Musical Studies Mark Trawka
Associate Coach/Pianist James Lesniak
+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumni
Tickets for GRAND & GLORIOUS start at $12. 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 or [email protected].
Related Events
Rising Stars: Meet the Resident Artists
Sunday, October 5 – 6:00 p.m.
George R. White Opera Studio, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Ave.)
Meet our 2014-15 Resident Artists as they introduce themselves through their favorite arias. The audience will also be able to vote for their favorite final arias via texting technology. A RADical Days event, it’s free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Limit 4 seats per reservation. For more information, call (412) 281-0912 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.
Market Square Farmers Market Noontime Concerts
Thursday, October 9; Thursday, October 16 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. both dates
Market Square Center Court, Downtown
Our Resident Artists will dazzle the lunchtime crowds at Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s successful Market Square Farmers Market Noontime Concerts on two Thursdays: October 9 and 16. The Resident Artists will perform popular arias and musical theater selections at each event. For more information, call (412) 281-0912.
(more)
Brown Bag Concert, “Getting to Know You”
Saturday, October 11 – 12:00 p.m.
George R. White Opera Studio, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue)
The first Brown Bag concert of the season! These casual, one-hour concerts feature our Resident Artists in the George R. White Opera Studio at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. Guests can meet the performers after the concert. Free and open to the public; no RSVP required. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call (412) 281-0912 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org
60th annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball, A Night of Illuminate Discovery
Friday, October 17 – 6:00 p.m.
Omni William Penn, Downtown Pittsburgh
This grande dame of galas celebrates Pittsburgh Opera’s 76th season opening in illuminating style. The Diamond Horseshoe Ball features a cocktail reception, performances by the much-loved Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists, live and silent auctions, dancing to the music of In the Mood, and other surprises. Also, one lucky attendee’s name will be drawn for a diamond horseshoe-shaped pendant! For more information, call (412) 281-0912 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org
Audio Description: GRAND & GLORIOUS
Saturday, October 18
Benedum Center Main Floor
Ticketholders with visual impairments are invited to use Pittsburgh Opera’s Audio Description service, in which trained volunteers describe the stage action via headphones. Those wishing to use Audio Description should reserve seats by contacting Randy Adams at 412-281-0912, ext. 213 or [email protected]. Braille and large-print opera programs are also available in the Benedum Grand Lobby.
Pittsburgh Opera celebrates its 76th season in 2014-15. Established by five intrepid women in 1939, Pittsburgh Opera is viewed as one of the most vibrant opera organizations in the U.S., with a rich artistic tradition, outstanding educational programs, an acclaimed artist training program, and a progressive outlook toward the future. Its green initiative culminated in LEED® Silver certification for its Strip District headquarters, and its capacity as a true community partner has increased significantly under General Director Christopher Hahn’s leadership.
2014-15 Season
GRAND & GLORIOUS •• October 18, 2014
OTELLO •• November 8 – 16, 2014
RODELINDA •• January 24 – February 1, 2015
SECOND STAGE PROJECT: SUMEIDA’S SONG •• February 21 – March 1, 2015
CARMEN •• March 21 – 29, 2015
DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT •• May 2-10, 2015
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