2025 EVENT COMMITTEE
Maecenas Chairs
Christine Toretti & Dr. Karen Roche Galey
Scarlet Soiree Chairs
Claire and Justin Feild
Tylar and Gary Zamary
Host Committee
- Sandra Bettor
- Francois Bitz and Cate Scott
- Howard and Marilyn Bruschi
- Tony Bucci
- Dr. Raymond A. Capone, Jr. and Dr. Martha R. Clarke
- Dr. Lisa Cibik and Bernie J. Kobosky
- Marianne Cornetti
- James and Melanie Crockard
- John and Virginia DiPucci
- Rebecca Dyas and Alden Merchant
- Michele Fabrizi
- Hilda Pang Fu
- Drs. Karen and R. Kent Galey
- Alice V. Gelormino
- Nachum Golan and Steve Hough
- Christopher Hahn and Ron Booth
- Jean Anne Hattler
- Dr. Susan Hunt
- Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lancet
- Dr. Michael Lewis and Dr. Katia Sycara
- Dave and Dina McCormick
- Patsy and Don McKinney
- Mary McKinney-Flaherty and Mark Flaherty
- Abby Morrison and Paul Teplitz
- Eugene N. Myers, MD
- Daniel A. Onorato
- Mary Anne Papale
- Oksana Prysyazhnyuk-Sinha and Sid Sinha
- Robert Rak and Pamela Selker Rak
- Robin Randall
- Diana Reid and Marc Chazaud
- Dominic Rupprecht and Gregory Vose
- Drs. Sharon and Robert Sclabassi
- Steve Seibert and Charlie Anderson
- Drs. Robert H. and Janet E. Squires
- John Tippins and Dr. Laura Pallan
- Christine Toretti
- Gene Welsh and Marty Healey
- Jeffrey Wigton
- Doris Carson Williams
- Izear Winfrey
(Listing as of 3/19/25)
2025 HONOREES
Maecenas Award: Robert and Christine Pietrandrea
In recognition of their generosity, philanthropy, and dedication to keeping opera on stage in Pittsburgh. Learn more.
Lifetime Achievement Award: The Pittsburgh Opera Monteverdi Society
In recognition of their investment in the future of Pittsburgh Opera through a legacy gift. Learn more.
Renaissance Award: Dr. Harry Clark
In recognition of his dedication to music and the arts in Pittsburgh as the founder of Pittsburgh CAPA Performing Ats High School. Learn more.
2025 SPONSORS
Are you looking to significantly impact the success of this event and introduce your unique brand to the Pittsburgh Opera audience? Please consider individual or corporate sponsorship. To sponsor Maecenas XL: Opera in Red, please contact Torrance Gricks via email or at 412-281-0912 x225.
Gold Sponsor ($25,000 +)
David L. Porges and Gabriela A. Porges
Federated Hermes
Silver Sponsor ($15,000 +)
Dave and Dina McCormick
PNC
UPMC and UPMC Health Plan
Pearl Sponsor ($10,000 +)
Highmark
S&T Bank
Bronze Sponsor ($5,000 +)
Mark Flaherty and Mary McKinney Flaherty
Patsy and Don McKinney
Giant Eagle Foundation
Miller McCurry
MAECENAS AWARD HISTORY
The event’s namesake, Gaius Maecenas, was friend to the first Emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus, and a celebrated patron to such artists of his time as Horace and Virgil. Today his name is synonymous with “patron of the arts.” Pittsburgh Opera’s Maecenas Award is bestowed upon benefactors whose exceptional dedication to our work ensures that live opera can thrive in Pittsburgh.
Previous award honorees include:
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Nadine E. Bognar
- Dr. Jared L. Cohon
- Governor Tom Corbett
- First Lady Susan Corbett
- Arthur “Jack” Kerr
- Robert Nutting
- Janet Sarbaugh
- Vincent Sarni
- Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Donald Cardinal Wuerl
Maecenas Award
- François J. Bitz
- Electra and James R. Agras
- Michele and Pat Atkins
- Nadine E. Bognar
- Carol R. Brown
- Tony Bucci
- Kathleen Casey Craig
- Daya
- Michele Fabrizi
- Mary Louise Gailliot and the late Henry J. Gailliot
- Teresa Heinz Kerry
- Dr. Arthur S. Levine
- Jeffrey Lipton
- Carol and Joseph A. Massaro, Jr.
- Dr. Andrew W. Moore
- Thomas H. O’Brien
- Mark Pasquerilla
- Jan and Dick Pagliari
- Kathe and Jim Patrinos
- PNC
- David Porges
- Jeffrey Romoff
- Vincent A. Sarni
- Charles Stegeman
- Nancy and John Traina
- Doris Carson Williams
Renaissance Award
- Stephanie Blythe
- Maestro Richard Bonynge
- Tito Capobianco
- Marianne Cornetti
- Mary Cardwell Dawson
- Vivica Genaux
- Nathan Gunn
- Christopher Hahn
- Jake Heggie
- Marilyn Horne
- Terrence McNally
- Sherrill Milnes
- Claudia Pinza
- Roberta Peters
- Mildred Miller Posvar
- Regina Resnik
- General Norman Schwarzkopf
- Renata Scotto
- Beverly Sills
- Dame Joan Sutherland
- Shirlee Verrett
- Joe Volpe
Past Chairs
- Electra and James R. Agras
- Barbara L. Barry
- Ritchie Battle
- Vivian and Bill Benter
- Sandra L. Bettor
- Nadine E. Bognar
- Maryanne dePalma and Howard Burnett
- Barbara and Gerald Chait
- Lisa M. Cibik and Bernie Kobosky
- Lisa M. Cibik and Ali Good
- Pamela Estes and James Ferry
- Cindy and Murry Gerber
- Laura and Claude Kronk
- Bonnie Levine
- Shelly and Jeffery Lipton
- Carol and Joseph A. Massaro, Jr.
- Patricia and Attila Molnar
- Jan and Dick Pagliari
- Kathe and Jim Patrinos
- Gabriela and David Porges
- Chris Pritchard
- Dottie and Vincent A. Sarni
- Teri and Damien Soffer
- Saundra and William Stout
- Christine Toretti
- James Will
- Gillian and David Williams
EVENT HISTORY
Named for Gaius Maecenas, the wealthy Roman statesman and cultural patron, the Maecenas gala has developed a reputation for a spectacular environment and great entertainment. SEEN hails it as “one of the best black-tie galas in town” and by the Tribune-Review as one of Pittsburgh’s top parties of the year. Each year, this event is a critical aspect of Pittsburgh Opera’s fundraising efforts to keep music alive in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.
Annually, Maecenas galas celebrate a successful season for Pittsburgh Opera and recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to the performing arts in Pittsburgh or within their respective fields. Each year, a few worthy recipients receive Awards from Pittsburgh Opera.
