2 0 1 7
S E A S O N
PITTSBURGH FESTIVAL OPERA Intimate Opera Theater
WORLD PREMIERE
A Gathering of Sons Dwayne Fulton
Sweeney Todd
Stephen Sondheim
Xerxes
George Frideric Handel
Intermezzo
Richard Strauss
REINVENTED OPERAS
The Ring Pittsburgh premiere 2005-2006
NEW WORKS
A New Kind of Fallout World premiere 2015
Music by Gilda Lyons Libretto by Tammy Ryan
MAGICAL MUSICALS The Fantasticks 2014
PFO photos by Patti Brahim
4 0 TH SEASON
PITTSBURGH FESTIVAL OPERA Intimate Opera Theater
Welcome to Pittsburgh Festival Opera! Six years ago we transformed Opera Theater of Pittsburgh into a summer festival, producing our celebrated mix of new operas, rarely performed works, and classic works done in new ways, all sung in English in an intimate theater. Our summer festival format has come to define our company – so we felt it was time to change our name to reflect more closely what we do. We also present our 40th season this summer. We are celebrating this milestone with some important new initiatives, including reviving our acclaimed Pittsburgh Ring Cycle over four years starting in 2018, continuing our signature series of rarely performed Richard Strauss operas, and founding a new Festival Club. We hope you will join us at our 2017 festival for the world premiere of our ‘social justice’ opera A Gathering of Sons, the Pennsylvania premiere of Richard Strauss’s rarely performed Intermezzo, Handel’s Xerxes presented by the same team that sold out Julius Caesar last year, and Sondheim’s blood-curdling masterpiece Sweeney Todd, along with a truly festive series of recitals, lectures, cabarets and special events. While we are changing our name, our traditions and commitments to our audiences remain the same: we bring the power of worldclass performances to humanize, energize and redefine opera as an experience that is up-close and personal, approachable, and relevant to today’s audiences. Do join us at the festival, and please come up and say hello after a show!
Jonathan Eaton
Artistic and General Director
John Bauerlein
Sincerely,
A world premiere opera By Dwayne Fulton and Tameka Cage Conley
A GATHERING OF SONS
Claim Your Humanity
A Gathering of Sons WORLD PREMIERE JAZZ OPERA
Music composed and conducted by Dwayne Fulton Libretto by Tameka Cage Conley Directed by Mark Clayton Southers Another Black man is shot by a white police officer, and we ask what comes next? How do we heal? How do we protect our children? A Gathering of Sons takes us on a journey through the lives of the young man, the police officer, parents of a newborn child, and a collection of spirits who watch over the world. A confrontation with history and the way it breathes through the present, this poetic premiere is a conversation about our biases and how we heal after tragedy. It casts an eye towards freedom and the work our communities need to do to reach it. Full of magic, fear, hope, pain, and, still, an even more powerful love. A Gathering of Sons is the second new work in our “Music that Matters� series. Free workshops at partner venues precede the June world premiere. Visit AGatheringOfSons.org for more details. Tour Performances June 15 and 16 at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, East End June 24 at Rodef Shalom Congregation, Shadyside June 28 and 29 at the Kaufmann Center, Hill House, Hill District Mainstage Performances July 1 and 8 at Falk Auditorium, Winchester Thurston School Celebrate with the cast at a Opening Night Party following the mainstage performance on Saturday, July 1.
Miles Wilson-Toliver
Denise Sheffey Powell
Terriq White
Events related to A Gathering of Sons received funding from The Opera Fund of OPERA America.
Workshops sponsored by
Media sponsor
Production sponsor
Stephen Sondheim’s
SWEENEY TODD
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Sweeney Todd
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler Directed by TomÊ Cousin Conducted by Douglas Levine Barber Sweeney Todd returns to London after 15 years in exile and aims to take revenge on the corrupt judge who banished him. When baker Mrs. Lovett is in desperate need of fresh meat for her pies, Sweeney implements a cunningly murderous solution to solve the problem and boost her business. Songs include "Johanna," "By the Sea," and "Pretty Women.� This Sondheim classic was Broadway's Tony award-winner for Best Musical. Featuring Andrew Cummings (Capriccio, 2014) as Sweeney, Anna Singer (The Merry Widow, 2013) as Mrs. Lovett, and Robert Frankenberry (Ariadne on Naxos, 2013) as the Beadle. July 7, 9, 15, 20, 22 Falk Auditorium, Winchester Thurston School Celebrate with the cast at the Opening Night Party following the performance on Friday, July 7. Sweeney Todd is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).
Britsburgh Performing Arts Society Partner
Andrew Cummings
Anna Singer
Robert Frankenberry
George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece
XERXES
Xerxes Music by George Frideric Handel Libretto based on Bononcini's Xerxes Directed by Daniel Rigazzi Conducted by Walter Morales Sibling and romantic rivalry are at play in the court of Persia where King Xerxes and his brother vie for power and love in this masterpiece with unique comic overtones. Xerxes plans to marry Romilda, but his brother Arsamene is also in love with her. When a former fiancée vows revenge, entertaining complications abound, all set to Handel’s magical Baroque music. Metropolitan Opera director Dan Rigazzi, who staged the company’s sold-out production of Handel’s Julius Caesar in 2016, returns with his acclaimed stars Andrey Nemzer, Met countertenor, in the title role, Lara Lynn McGill as Romilda, and Cody Bowers as Arsamene. Pittsburgh’s celebrated Chatham Baroque ensemble returns under the baton of conductor Walter Morales.
Sung in English with projected titles in English. July 14, 16, 22 Falk Auditorium, Winchester Thurston School Celebrate with the cast at the Opening Night Party following the performance on Friday, July 14.
Andrey Nemzer
Lara Lynn McGill
Cody Bowers
INTERMEZZO
Scenes from a marriage by Richard Strauss
Intermezzo
PENNSYLVANIA PREMIERE Music and Libretto by Richard Strauss Directed by Jonathan Eaton Conducted by Brent McMunn A composer-conductor sets out on a concert tour while his lonely wife heads for the ski slopes. A collision with a young baron on a toboggan wins her a new 'friend’, adding to a romantic chaos of mistaken assumptions, high comedy, base jealousy and glorious reconciliation. Strauss wrote both text and music for these semi-autobiographical 'Scenes from a Marriage’. Meghan DeWald stars as the determined Christine with Ryan Milstead as her distracted husband Robert, and Kyle Tomlin as Baron Lummer. Intermezzo is the fourth in our series of ravishing but lesser-known works by this 20th century master, following the company’s celebrated Ariadne on Naxos in 2014, Capriccio in 2015, and The Silent Woman in 2016. Sung in English with projected titles in English. July 21, 23 Falk Auditorium, Winchester Thurston School Celebrate with the cast at the Opening Night Party following the performance on Friday, July 21. DISCOVER STRAUSS SERIES Join us for a festive long weekend of events centered on Intermezzo and other rarely performed works of Richard Strauss. (turn page for details)
Ryan Milstead
Meghan DeWald
Kyle Tomlin
"If I Loved You..."
Rodgers & Hammerstein Revue
Enjoy star-spangled songs by the great masters of classic American musical theater in a new dramatic revue that explores romantic love, its joys, and its darker side. Revisit favorites from landmark musicals such as Carousel, The Sound of Music and The King and I, and discover songs you never heard before! June 25 and July 2 We open in a historic barn set amid lush rolling hills at Snuggery Farm in Sewickley Heights (tickets $45). Add a gourmet barbeque before the show ($35) for an unforgettable experience. July 9 and 16 Mainstage performances in Falk Auditorium, Winchester Thurston. Remember ‘The Three Tenors’? They have nothing on our trio of countertenors, who open our main festival season with top hits of the Baroque period, sung originally by superstar castrati. Andrey Nemzer, Cody Bowers and Rudy Giron bring their virtuoso voices to Handel, Vivaldi and O sole mio! Don’t miss this truly unique event, then celebrate with us at a festive season-opening party following the concert. June 30 at First Unitarian Church
Hansel & Gretel
Mark Abramowitz
The Three (Counter) Tenors
Intrepid siblings outwit a hungry witch in ominous woods! A perfect (and totally affordable) first opera for young music lovers, this charming classic by Engelbert Humperdinck is performed on Saturday mornings, lasts less than an hour and is followed by fun activities for kids and all the family. Sung in English. July 1, 8, 15 in Hilda Willis Room at Winchester Thurston
Daphne Alderson sings Leonard Cohen
Beloved chanteuse Daphne Alderson returns with a brand new program exploring Leonard Cohen’s legacy in a vintage tapestry of love, loss and rebirth. This premiere concert features newly imagined versions of the folk rock movement that Cohen created with Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, and Judy Collins, conjuring up Cohen’s Greenwich Village concert scene. Featuring a stellar ensemble of guitar, cello, accordion, bass and – the divine Daphne. July 13 at First Unitarian Church
Becky Thurner Braddock
A Hallelujah at Love Café
Metropolitan Opera
Discover Strauss Series
Join us for a long weekend of fascinating events centered on Richard Strauss and his music. Your Strauss Pass gets you a discount to all the public ticketed events (lecture, recitals, opera and more) and gains you admission to some unique private social dinners with stars from our Strauss constellation. And for out-of-towners, you can also explore America’s most livable city! Please see website for more details including hotel and restaurant partners. Thursday, July 20 Enjoy a welcome toast and private dinner with our founder Mildred Miller, a world famous Octavian. Screening of Der Rosenkavalier (1926) silent film Friday, July 21 Scenes from a Marriage: Lecture by Dr. Bryan Gilliam followed by private dinner. Intermezzo opening night Cast party Saturday, July 22 Private dinner with Maestro Brent McMunn Songs of Strauss recital Sunday, July 23 Brunch at historic Benedum House Piano recital with Walter Morales of Strauss scherzi and skizzi Tickets to public events available for individual purchase or in these packages: Strauss Pass: $195 Discounted best tickets to all Strauss public events including opening night of Intermezzo plus invitations to all private social events Dinners are pay-as-you-go. Strauss Pass Plus: $285 Includes all Discover Strauss events above and discounted best tickets to all other company events Thurs-Sun including Sweeney Todd, Xerxes and second performance of Intermezzo
Mozart by Moonlight
A Garden of Operatic Delights
Enjoy an evening of two full acts from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro with singers from our Young Professional Artists Program. Start out in our theater with the romantic confusions of Act II, stroll over the road for wine and Act IV by moonlight, set in beautiful private gardens. Catch Cherubino with the Countess in a leafy bower, Susanna leading Figaro up the garden path – and the Count getting his comeuppance in the ornamental pond. Seating is limited. July 19 Starts in Falk Auditorium
PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE SUBSCRIPTIONS
SINGLE TICKETS
GOLD PASSPORT
Best seats, ALL productions, ALL recitals, and ALL receptions. $575 Save $225 over single tickets!
SILVER PASSPORT
Best seats, ALL productions, ALL recitals, but no BBQ, parties, or brunch. $425 Save $170 over single tickets!
OPENING NIGHT SERIES Starts at $64 for 4 shows--save 20%
Sat, July 1 Sons Fri, July 14 Xerxes Fri, July 7 Sweeney Fri, July 21 Intermezzo Opening Night Party tickets may be purchased additionally for $25.
CLOSING WEEKEND
$250 Save $90 over single tickets! Fri, July 21 Lecture, Intermezzo + party Sat, July 22 Sweeney + Xerxes Sun, July 23 Brunch & Strauss Piano Recital
BUILD YOUR OWN SUBSCRIPTIONS
Pick your date for any performance or recital Pick 2 - Save 10% Packages start at $36. Pick 3 - Save 15%. Packages start at $51 Pick 4 - Save 20%. Packages start at $64.
TWO WAYS TO ORDER! pittsburghfestivalopera.org Box Office 412-326-9687
See website for seating charts and our partner restaurants and hotels. The social side is a great part of our festival experience! Eat and drink with friends and artists, enjoy a talk or a free cabaret...
Delicious light fare by Fabled Table and beverages before every Falk Auditorium performance at Winchester Thurston School.
Opening Night Parties! Celebrate with the cast, enjoy savories, sweets and music! $25
OPERAS & MUSICALS
Sons, Sweeney, Xerxes, Intermezzo, "If I Loved You..." (Falk, reserved seating) $20-$75 Sons tour, general seating $25
RECITALS
Three (Counter) Tenors, Daphne Alderson (First Unitarian, gen. seating) $35 Strauss Songs $25 Brunch & Strauss Piano Recital (Benedum House) $75
OTHER EVENTS
"If I Loved You..." (Snuggery) $45 plus BBQ (at Snuggery) $35 Hansel & Gretel (Willis) $5 children, $10 adults Mozart by Moonlight (Falk, gen. seating) $25 Silent Film (Willis) free Strauss Lecture $15
DISCOVER STRAUSS SERIES Strauss Package $195 Strauss Package Plus $285 (see previous page for details)
GROUPS
Save 20% off 8 to 19 tickets. Save 35% off 20 or more tickets. We can help plan your group experience; call 412-326-9687.
STUDENTS
Productions half-price in advance or at door with valid I.D. All recitals free. Free Pre-Curtain Talks: Join artistic team members one-hour prior to selected Mainstage performances.
YOUR FESTIVAL EXTRAS!
Free Late Night Cabaret on July 8, 15, 20 and 22 Enjoy a glass of wine, light opera and Broadway classics with our Young Professional Artists.
Post-Show Talkbacks: Talkbacks follow all performances of A Gathering of Sons, on tour and at Falk. Festival Art Exhibition with works by leading artists, open throughout Festival. Free.
NEW! Licensed childcare during Sunday matinees at Winchester Thurston. See website for details.
Accessibility: Winchester Thurston School is a handicap accessible venue. Hearing assistance devices are available for Falk Auditorium performances; please reserve in advance.
Pittsburgh Festival Opera June–July 2017
Performances at Winchester Thurston, except where noted Mainstage operas and musicals Recitals Other events WEDNESDAY
JUNE
14
THURSDAY
A Gathering of Sons
15
Mt. Ararat 7:30pm
World Premiere
WEEK 1
21
WEEK 2
FRIDAY
A Gathering of Sons
16
28
Kaufmann Ctr. 7:30pm
A Gathering of Sons
29
Kaufmann Ctr. 7:30pm
23
The Three (Counter) Tenors
24
Opening Night Party 9:30pm
7
13
Daphne Alderson
in recital First UC 7:30pm
WEEK 5
19
14
Xerxes 7:30pm Opening Night Party 10:30pm
1
Opening Night Party 10:30pm
If I Loved You... & BBQ Snuggery Farm 6pm
Hansel & Gretel 11am Sweeney Todd* 7:30pm
If I Loved You... 6:30pm
15
Free Cabaret 10:30pm
20 Strauss 21 Sweeney 22 Sweeney Todd 2pm Todd* 7:30pm Lecture 2pm Xerxes* 7:30pm Rosenkavalier Intermezzo Strauss Songs Silent Film 8pm 7:30pm First UC 8pm Free Cabaret 10:30pm
2
8 9 Hansel & Gretel 11am Sweeney A Gathering Todd* 2pm of Sons 7:30pm
Free Cabaret 10pm
Opening Night Party 10:30pm
12
25 If I Loved You... & BBQ
Opening Night Party 10pm
6
WEEK 4
18
Snuggery Farm 6pm
A Gathering of Sons 7:30pm
Sweeney Todd 7:30pm
WEEK 6
A Gathering of Sons
30 JULY Hansel & Gretel 11am
First UC 7:30pm
5
SUNDAY
Mt. Ararat 7:30pm
22
WEEK 3
7:30pm
17
Rodef Shalom 7:30pm
A Gathering of Sons
Mozart by Moonlight
SATURDAY
Free Cabaret 10:30pm
16
Xerxes* 2pm
If I Loved You... 6:30pm
Brunch & 23 Strauss Piano Recital
Benedum House 11am
Intermezzo* 2pm
DISCOVER STRAUSS SERIES
* Pre-Show talk one hour before curtain
Program and schedule subject to change. First UC – First Unitarian Church
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MEDIA SPONSORS
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Tickets: pittsburghfestivalopera.org Box Office: 412-326-9687
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Pittsburgh Festival Opera's main theater is the beautiful state-of-the-art Falk Auditorium at Winchester Thurston in Shadyside. 555 Morewood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Plenty of free parking in lot and on streets.
40th Season • June 15-July 23, 2017
Pittsburgh Festival Opera 286 Main St., 3rd Fl. Pittsburgh, PA 15201-2808
Intimate Opera Theater
PITTSBURGH FESTIVAL OPERA
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