Pittsburgh Opera
changing this notice to be more specific. (October 2023) |
Pittsburgh Opera is an American
History
Pittsburgh Opera was established in 1939 as the Pittsburgh Opera Company and is the eighth-oldest opera company in the United States. The company was founded by five women who established the Pittsburgh Opera Society in 1939, making possible the inaugural performance of
Mark Weinstein became general director of Pittsburgh Opera in 1999, after starting as executive director in 1997.[4] During his tenure, he presided over an increase in the company's endowment from US $4 million to US $16 million, as well as the retirement of US $2.5 million in debt.[6] Weinstein also presided over the addition of an extra production during the company season, 5 productions as opposed to 4, from the 2001-2002 season to the 2003-2004 season.[7] Weinstein announced his resignation as Pittsburgh Opera's general director effective February 1, 2008.[8] Artistic Director Christopher Hahn was appointed as General Director in June 2008.
During Christopher Hahn’s tenure as General Director, the company’s repertoire expanded considerably to include Baroque and many contemporary works. In 2017 Pittsburgh Opera produced its first world premiere, The Summer King – the Josh Gibson Story. Based on the life and tragic death of the Hall of Fame baseball player who grew up in Pittsburgh and starred for the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords, The Summer King featured bass-baritone Alfred Walker in the role of Josh Gibson and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves as his love-interest Grace.
Mr. Hahn has expanded Pittsburgh Opera’s prestigious Resident Artist Program to include two annual productions, both of which are offered as part of the full subscription series. Hailed as one of the country's leading training programs for young singers, Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artist Program provides professional development during a two-year session. The program has fostered the careers of singers that regularly perform on the world stage, including Marianne Cornetti, Rolando Villazón, Oren Gradus, David Miller, Maria Zifchak, Kevin Glavin, Danielle Pastin, Sean Panikkar, and Audrey Luna. In 2017, Luna sang the highest note ever recorded in the Metropolitan Opera’s 130-year history.
Mr. Hahn also led the 2008 move to Pittsburgh Opera’s new headquarters Archived 2021-06-14 at the
Christopher Hahn served as the company's artistic director from 2000 until his appointment as General Director. John Mauceri was Music Director of Pittsburgh Opera from 2000 until his resignation in 2006, to take up an academic post in North Carolina.[9] In October 2006, Antony Walker was named the next Music Director of Pittsburgh Opera, and assumed the post immediately.[10] Walker's initial contract was for 3 years, but has since been extended through the 2011-12 season.[11] On April 1, 2008, in a performance of
Music Directors
- Theo Alcántara (1987-2002)
- John Mauceri (2000–2006)
- Antony Walker (2006–present)
References
- ^ "NonprofitName Internal Revenue Service filings". ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
- ^ "Home". usgbc.org.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Opera". Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
- ^ a b Croan, Robert (4 May 1999). "Weinstein to take helm at Opera". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ^ Croan, Robert (9 October 2005). "'The Illustrated History of Opera in Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Opera Story' by Hax McCullough". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
- ^ Kanny, Mark (23 March 2007). "RiverParc development will force relocation of opera". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2007-10-06.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Kanny, Mark (11 November 2007). "Leadership changes may take opera to its next step". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2007-12-05.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Druckenbrod, Andrew (29 October 2007). "Pittsburgh Opera's chief leaving for D.C." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ^ Croan, Robert (13 May 2006). "Opera's music director to lead North Carolina School of the Arts". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
- ^ Kanny, Mark (12 October 2006). "Pittsburgh Opera names music director". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on 2007-02-10. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
- ^ Druckenbrod, Andrew (12 October 2006). "Pittsburgh Opera welcomes young Aussie as its new music director". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
- ^ Druckenbrod, Andrew (2 April 2008). "Conductor does double duty as tenor loses voice". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-02.