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 2012 - April 2013
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip
FREE and open to the public
In the George R. 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 enjoy intimate concerts 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.
| 2012-2013 Brown Bag Concert Dates: Saturday, October 13 Saturday, November 10 Saturday, December 8 Saturday, January 12 Saturday, February 9 Saturday, March 2 Saturday, April 20 |
|
Opera Up Close
Sundays before the opening of each production
October 2012 - April 2013 at 2:00 PM
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip
FREE and open to the public
An in-depth look at the upcoming production, with the artists that make them happen at Pittsburgh Opera’s headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue) in the Strip District, at 2:00 PM on Sundays before the opening of each production.
Rigoletto - September 23, 2012
Don Giovanni - October 21, 2012
Il matrimonio segreto - January 13, 2013
Madama Butterfly - March 3, 2013
La cenerentola - April 14, 2013
Art Song Recital Series
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip
FREE and open to the public
In the George R. 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 18, 2012, 2:00 PM |
| Sunday, January 20, 2013, 2:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 17, 2013, 2:00 PM |
| Sunday, April 7, 2013, 2:00 PM |
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.
Rigoletto - October 6, 9, 12, 14, 2012
Don Giovanni - November 3, 6, 9, 11, 2012
Il matrimonio segreto - January 26, 29; February 1, 3, 2013
Madama Butterfly - March 16, 19, 22, 24, 2013
La cenerentola - April 27, 30; May 3, 5, 2013
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.
Rigoletto - October 9, 2012
Don Giovanni - November 6, 2012
Il matrimonio segreto - January 29, 2013
Madama Butterfly - March 19, 2013
La cenerentola - April 30, 2013
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
Returning to the lineup of Pittsburgh Opera community events in the 2012-2013 season is the Pittsburgh Opera Film Series, hosted in collaboration with the John P. Harris Society at Point Park University. Guests are invited to enjoy films inspired by the season’s operas. Pittsburgh Opera subscribers receive priority invitations that include preferred seating and a pre-film reception. Subscribers will receive detailed information starting in mid-August 2012.
The Jester (Der Purimspiler)
September 20, 2012 at 8:00 PM
RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, September 14 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
Shampoo
October 18, 2012 at 8:00 PM
RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, October 12 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
Sense and Sensibility
January 17, 2013 at 8:00 PM
RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, January 11 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
The Sea is Watching
February 28, 2013 at 8:00 PM
RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, February 22 at 5:00 PM
412-281-0912 x100 or ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
Donkey Skin (Peau D'Ane)
April 11, 2013 at 8:00 PM
RSVP to Sue Solito by Friday, April 5 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@pittsburghopera.org