JUNE 22 TO
2016
JULY 24
SummerFest is expanding and we’re moving to Shadyside!
In our company’s 38th year, with our summer festival five years young, SummerFest is both going on the road and moving into a new home. We’re touring our intimate, flamenco version of Carmen the Gypsy to a hookah bar, a Persian rug emporium and a gorgeous period barn nestled in the hills of Sewickley Heights. And our main festival is moving to the theater and reception spaces of Winchester Thurston School in Shadyside, beautifully renovated by Al Filoni, the architect who led the rejuvenation of Heinz Hall and the Benedum Center. With state-of-the-art lighting, great acoustics, super-comfortable seating and velvety-cool air conditioning–and of course an unparalleled festival of operas, musicals, concerts and cabarets–this promises to offer one of the coolest experiences in town on a hot summer’s night. This season focuses on DIVAS–(scarily) powerful ladies whose great hearts, sumptuous voices and burning passions help us reinvent the opera experience for today’s audiences. Come dressed for summer, enjoy a glass of wine and light fare before a fun, imaginative, innovative production, performed in a lovely intimate space and sung in English–and join us afterwards for a party or a free cabaret!
Jonathan Eaton, Artistic and General Director
SummerFest Calendar – June-July 2016 SUMMERFESTTICKETS TICKETS SUMMERFEST SummerFest Calendar: June - July 2016
WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY
JUNE
22
THURSDAY THURSDAY
Carmen at Sphinx Café 7 pm
BYOB
BYOB
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
WEEK 4 La Divina Cornetti 7:30 pm
29
06
20
30
07
Liam Bonner in Concert 7:30 pm
14
Daphne Alderson as Piaf 7:30 pm
21
Night Caps 7:30 pm
Reception with Marianne 9:30 pm
WEEK 5
Ticketed party or reception follows the performance.
SATURDAY SATURDAY 25
Carmen at Artifacts 7:30 pm
SUNDAY SUNDAY Carmen at Artifacts 2 pm
26
Reception 6:30 pm
Festival Opening Party 9:30 pm
13
24
23
Carmen at Sphinx Café 7 pm
WEEK 1
FRIDAY FRIDAY
JULY
01
02
Carmen at Snuggery Farm 7:30 pm
Carmen at Snuggery Farm 7:30 pm
Holiday BBQ 6 pm
Holiday BBQ 6pm
08
Art Exhibit Opening Reception 6:30 pm
Kate 7:30 pm Opening Night Party 10 pm
15
Spacagna Master Class 4 pm Caesar 7:30 pm Opening Night Party 10:30 pm Cornetti Master Class 4 pm
22
Silent Woman 7:30 pm Opening Night Party 10:30 pm
Little Red 11 am
09
*
Carmen 7:30 pm Opening Night Party 9:30 pm Little Red 11 am
16
* Free Cabaret 10:30 pm Kate 7:30 pm
Little Red 11 am
23
* Caesar 7:30 pm * Free Cabaret 10:30 pm Kate 2 pm
Pre-performance talk one hour before curtain
03
10
*
Kate 2 pm Three (Counter) Tenors 6:30 pm
*
Caesar 2 pm
17
Young Artists Program Recital 6:30 pm
*
24
Silent Woman 2 pm Night Caps 6:30 pm
Programs and schedule subject to change.
SummerFest 2016 starts with a tour of Bizet’s fiery favorite!
JUNE 22, 23, 25, 26 JULY 1, 2, 9 Music by Georges Bizet Flamenco Adaptation by Jonathan Eaton and Robert Frankenberry Translation by Sheldon Harnick Carmen’s story is thrillingly retold to the pulsating rhythms of flamenco guitar and gypsy dance—in a hookah bar, a Persian rug emporium, and a historic barn. The tour ends in our new SummerFest home at Winchester Thurston School. Features The Habanera, The Toreador Song, The Flower Song With Kara Cornell, James Flora, Christopher Scott, Katie Manukyan and Olivia Kissel Tour Venues: see website for maps Ticket prices vary; no tour venue more than 100 seats.
The Sphinx Cafe, a cozy hookah bar Wed 22 and Thurs 23 June at 7 pm, $25
Arrive early for casual Egyptian fare and BYOB in a converted church with Carmen dancing virtually in your lap. Follow with a hookah pipe!
401 Atwood St, corner of Bates, Oakland (15213). Park in a nearby city garage off Forbes Ave at McKee or Semple or Meyran, and allow time to walk over!
Artifacts, a Persian rug emporium Sat 25 June at 7:30 pm, $35 Pre-show reception 6:30 pm, $25 Sun 26 June at 2 pm $35 Intermission mint tea and sweetmeats $10 A fantastic gallery of antiques and objets d’art sets the scene. Partake of Mediterranean finger food and wine before the Saturday show, or tea and sweetmeats on Sunday, then recline on a pile of Persian rugs to experience Carmen. 110 South Main St., West End (15220). Easy adjacent free parking
The Snuggery Farm, in a historic barn Fri 1 and Sat 2 July at 7:30 pm, $35 Holiday barbecue 6 pm, $25
Launch your long holiday weekend with a gourmet barbeque at an idyllic farm just 30 minutes from downtown. Follow with the habanera in a horse barn and end with drinks around the firepit.
1551 Camp Meeting Road (15143) in Bell Acres between Sewickley Heights and Wexford. Take exit 73 from I-79. Easy adjacent free parking
Sat 9 July at 7:30 pm, $25-$75 Cast party and cabaret after performance, $25
Carmen tour ends in our plush mainstage theater: Falk Auditorium, Winchester Thurston School
Directed by Jonathan Eaton Conducted by Robert Frankenberry
JULY 8, 10, 16, 23
JULY 15, 17, 23
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack
Music by George Frideric Handel Libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym
in love? Brush up your Shakespeare with So the Broadway hit inspired by The Taming of the Shrew. Fred and Lilli were once the great romantic couple of the theater offstage, but sparks fly when the separated duo reunite onstage for the Bard’s comedy. Add a tangled quartet of lovers and a pair of singing mobsters and you have–uproarious good fun!
With CHATHAM BAROQUE
Songs include: It’s Too Darn Hot, Wunderbar, So In Love, and the ever clever Brush Up Your Shakespeare.
Director Mark Lamanna Conductor Douglas Levine Falk Auditorium
In one of the greatest love stories of all history, passion and politics collide in the timeless tale of Caesar and Cleopatra. Their turbulent romance inspired countless books, plays, films–and Handel’s 1724 masterpiece, with three roles written for superstar castrati, sung in our production by three fantastic countertenors. With Andrey Nemzer and Lara Lynn McGill
Director Ian Moule Conductor Walter Morales Falk Auditorium
Visit otsummerfest.org for details on all events.
JULY 22, 24 Music by Richard Strauss Libretto by Stefan Zweig Based on a comedy by Ben Jonson Wanted: retired admiral seeks quiet young wife to grace his autumnal years--money no object, silence a necessity. This old curmudgeon gets what he deserves: a diva with glass-shattering high C’s! Richard Strauss serves up an opera-within-an-opera romantic comedy with some of the most glorious music ever written, to a libretto by Stefan Zweig, who provided the inspiration for the hit film The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). The Silent Woman is the third in our cycle of works by 20th century master Strauss, and follows our acclaimed Ariadne on Naxos (2014) and Capriccio (2015). With Jeremy Galyon, Julia Fox, Dimitrie Lazich, and William Andrews.
Director Jonathan Eaton Conductor Brent McMunn Falk Auditorium
JULY 21, 24 Libretti by Rob Handel “Metro Opera”! Riotous fun. A little naughty! Five contemporary mini music dramas set in Miss Darlington’s hotel, a place of romance, mystery and danger. Journey through its bedrooms, enchanted by secrets, haunted by the ghosts of presidents, and perfumed with the memory of love. A meddling manager and beleaguered bellhop add to the fun and will serve you a signature cocktail, included with admission!
Composers:
Valkyrie Suite by Eric Moe This women’s bowling team is trashing their room. Pizza anyone?
Penthouse Suite by Roger Zahab An opera diva and a teenage pop star have a smack down! I Hope the Moonlight Suite is Okay... by Gilda Lyons Will a second honeymoon rekindle the fire?
George Washington Suite by Daron Hagen Let’s visit every room where the father of our country slept! A spectral president appears... Honeymoon Suite by Alberto Demestres Rodolfo and Mimi try to escape their wedding guests to enjoy their first moments of passion alone...but who’s that knocking at the door?!
The creation of Night Caps in 2012 was made possible by generous support from OPERA America’s Opera Fund.
Conductor Robert Frankenberry Hilda Willis Room
Recitals BONNER
CORNETTI
ALDERSON
JULY 9, 16, 23 Music and Libretto by Seymour Barab A superb first opera for young audiences, Little Red Riding Hood is the most performed children’s opera in the world. Little Red learns valuable lessons about the dangers of straying from the path, value of family relationships, and the power of words. Children of all ages will enjoy the informal setting where kids can sit right up close to the action and then join activities and games after the 50-minute performance. All performances Saturday at 11 am. Sung in English. With Valerie Hosler, Candice Shaughnessy, and Jesse Davis.
Director Jonathan Eaton Music Director Joel Goodloe Pianist Agnieszka Sornek Hilda Willis Room
NEMZER
JULY 7, 10, 14, 17, 20 Liam Bonner in Concert Arias, art songs, and ballads Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 pm
SummerFest celebrates the international success of a Pittsburgh baritone who started out at Opera Theater and ended up at the Met. Followed by ticketed Festival Opening Party
The Three (Counter) Tenors and the Castrato Voice with Andrey Nemzer and friends Sunday, July 10 at 6:30 pm Remember The Three Tenors? SummerFest presents three countertenors, taking on the repertoire of the famed castrati, the superstars of their gilded age. Acclaimed countertenor Andrey Nemzer joins Zachary Wood and Min Sang Kim charting the path and the music of the castrato, through the male alto, to today’s countertenor voice.
Daphne Alderson as Piaf Carnegie Hall 1956 Thursday, July 14 at 7:30 pm
When French icon Edith Piaf came to Carnegie Hall in 1956 she received a seven-minute standing ovation. Beloved Pittsburgh chanteuse Daphne Alderson recreates this legendary 1956 recital to mark Bastille Day 2016.
La Divina Cornetti in concert
with ‘her’ Divos and Divas, the Cornetti Scholars of our Young Artists Program
Wednesday, July 20 at 7:30 pm Followed by ticketed reception with Marianne Cornetti
Above Recital tickets: $25-$75, Falk Auditorium Young Artists Program Recital Sunday, July 17 at 6:30 pm, Venue TBA
Art songs by Robert Schumann. Free.
SummerFest Things to Do!
Maria Spacagna Master Class Friday, July 15 at 4 pm $25
Light fare and beverages prior to all performances.
Opening Night Parties! Celebrate with the cast, enjoy savories and sweets–and our great cabaret! After each opening $25. (see calendar) Free Late Night Cabaret on Saturday, July 16 and 23: Enjoy a glass of wine, light opera and Broadway classics with our Young Artists (see calendar).
Marianne Cornetti Master Class Friday, July 22 at 4 pm $25
Festival Art Exhibition with works by Patti Menick and Melissa Sullivan, open throughout SummerFes Opening reception Friday, July 8 at 6:30 pm. Free.
Free Pre-Curtain Talks: Join artistic team members one-hour prior to selected performances (see calendar). Pre-Show Entertainment: Watch for artists from Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks greet and mingle with bits from the Bard’s works in this 400th anniversary year of the playwright’s passing.
TWO WAYS TO ORDER! See website for seating charts and full details: otsummerfest.org Box Office at 412-326-9687 SUBSCRIPTIONS
Enjoy your choice of best seats and exclusive perks. Choose a Passport and don’t miss a thing!
GOLD PASSPORT
Includes ALL productions, ALL recitals, and ALL receptions. $550 Save $195 over single tickets!
SILVER PASSPORT
Includes ALL productions, ALL recitals, but no receptions. $425 Save $170 over single tickets!
OPENING NIGHT SERIES Starts at $80 for 4 shows--save 20% Fri. July 8 Kate Fri., July 15 Caesar
Sat, July 9 Carmen Fri., July 22 Woman
BUILD YOUR OWN SUBSCRIPTIONS
Pick your date for any performance or recital! Pick 2 - Save 10% with packages starting at $47. Pick 3 - Save 15%. Packages start at $63.75 Pick 4 - Save 20%. Packages start at $80.
SINGLE TICKETS
FALK AUDITORIUM (reserved seating) $25, $35, $45, $55, $65, $75
HILDA WILLIS ROOM (general admission)
Night Caps $35 Little Red Riding Hood $10; students/children $5.
STUDENTS
Productions half-price in advance or at door with valid I.D. All recitals and masters classes free.
GROUPS
Save 20% off 8 to 19 tickets.
Save 35% off 20 or more tickets.
Bring your friends, family, co-workers, or organization. When your group attends two or more different events, receive one free ticket to each production. We can help plan your group experience; call 412-326-9687.
Accessibility: Winchester Thurston School is a handicap accessible venue. Our performance spaces provide wheelchair and accessible seating choices. Call the box office for personalized assistance for your SummerFest visit. MEDIA SPONSORS
pghcitypaper.com
wqed.org
burghvivant.com
ORDER ONLINE: CALL: 412-326-9687
otsummerfest.org
555 Morewood Ave. at Ellsworth in Shadyside Pittsburgh (15213)
Winchester Thurston School
Come see us in our new location!
286 Main Street Pittsburgh, PA 15201
SummerFest is expanding and moving to the beautifully renovated auditorium of Winchester Thurston School, a state-of-the-art, comfortable, cool theater with plenty of free parking on site and on adjacent streets.
FIFTH SUMMERFEST SEASON JUNE 22 – JULY 24, 2016
Brochure design by Don Henderson Graphics Photos by Patti Brahim, Jonathan Eaton photo by John Bauerlein
PAID
PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT #5529
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE