ROBERT AND CHRISTINE PIETRANDREA COMMIT $500,000 TO SPONSOR PITTSBURGH OPERA PRODUCTIONS
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May 31, 2023
Chris Cox, Director of Marketing and Communications
412-281-0912 ext. 217
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Pittsburgh Opera is pleased to announce that Robert and Christine Pietrandrea have committed $500,000 to help the company fund multiple opera productions.
Bob and Chris are long-standing supporters of Pittsburgh Opera, and of the arts in general. Chris recalls falling in love with opera at a young age. “Opera was always on the radio when we would visit my grandparents.”
They have earmarked their gift towards some of their favorite operas. One is The Barber of Seville, which will be performed at downtown Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center this October. “I grew up on Looney Tunes”, said Bob, “and loved the Bugs Bunny ‘Long Haired Hare’ episode, which uses music from The Barber of Seville. Most people know that music, even if they don’t realize what it’s originally from.”
Another opera benefitting from their gift is Verdi’s La Traviata, which will be performed at the Benedum Center in March, 2024. “The music moves you,” says Chris. “Being able to see and hear it performed live on stage right in front of you is very special. We want to help ensure that others can have that experience.”
“Pittsburgh Opera is extremely grateful to Bob and Chris for their stalwart support,” said General Director Christopher Hahn. “Their gift helps us expose new members of the community to our art form.”
The Pietrandreas have already converted some skeptics. They invited some first-time opera-goers to a recent performance of Pittsburgh Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro which they sponsored. “Our friends were surprised to find that they really enjoyed it”, said Bob.
Both Bob and Chris strongly believe that the arts enrich everyone’s lives, and that there is real value in being exposed to opera. “Beauty enriches us all,” said Chris. “People who can support the arts have a responsibility to do so, to help benefit the entire community.”
For information on sponsoring any of Pittsburgh Operas productions, please contact Rachel Kisic, Assistant Director of Development for Individual Giving, at 412.281.0912 x 226, or via email.
Contributions to Pittsburgh Opera are tax-deductible. The official registration and financial information of Pittsburgh Opera may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
