Pittsburgh Festival Opera concert series to host contemporary opera legends

As part of its expanded season of programming, Pittsburgh Festival Opera will offer “something that Pittsburgh hasn’t had for a long, long time,” said Artistic Director Marianne Cornetti.

The opera will present four stars of contemporary opera in its concert series at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.

“‘Legends in the Limelight’ goes back to the art of the song recital, which is something you don’t see much any more,” Cornetti said. “They won’t be all opera, but they will be surrounded by opera. There will be some Broadway tunes and popular music. They will be really varied concerts.

“This type of concert series doesn’t exist here in Pittsburgh, and I truly believe our audiences deserve to hear these great artists,” she said.

Cornetti, who is recognized internationally as a leading Verdi mezzo-soprano, said she drew on her professional connections and personal friendships to secure the artist roster.

The series will open Aug. 3 with soprano Alexandra Loutsion, a Canonsburg native.

“She is on track to be a really great operatic soprano,” Cornetti said. “I’ve known her since she was in high school and she’s a great friend. I’ve watched her grow with Pittsburgh Opera.”

In 2019, Loutsion sang the title role in Pittsburgh Opera’s production of Daniel Catan’s “Florencia en el Amazonas.” She has performed with operas in Minnesota, Austin (Texas), Palm Beach, San Francisco, New Orleans and Canada and on concert stages around the country.

Loutsion “continues to be recognized for her passionate performances as a rising star on the operatic stage,” according to the festival opera website.

Other performers include:

• Michael Chioldi, Sept. 14 — The baritone, who grew up in Pittsburgh’s Avalon neighborhood, “has quickly gained the reputation as one of the most sought-after dramatic baritones of his generation,” according to the festival opera.

“I sang with him in 1997 in ‘The Barber of Seville’ with the Washington Opera. He was Figaro,” Cornetti said. “We had such an immediate bond. Michael has grown into a lush, really dramatic baritone. He’s an incredible artist who has sung all over the world.”

• Gregory Kunde, Oct. 19 — The tenor is regarded as one of the most accomplished singers on the international opera stage, appearing regularly at prestigious opera houses around the world. Kunde’s accolades include being named Male Singer of the Year at the 2016 International Opera Awards.

“To get a major star like Gregory Kunde is just incredible,” Cornetti said. “He’s a dear friend. The first time we sang together, it was like two souls coming together. We think the same and are of the same generation.”

• Marjorie Owens, Nov. 16 — The soprano is a former member of the Sächsische Staatsoper in Dresden, Germany, and Grand Finals Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She ahs sung on stages across the United States and around the world.

Owens was featured in Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s “Wicked Wagner Weekend,” a 2020 digital mini-festival of performances from nine Richard Wagner operas.

“She is one of the foremost emerging Wagner-Strauss singers today,” Cornetti said.

Each performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception, giving audience members a chance to meet the artists.

Tickets for each performance are $75, $20 for students with valid ID and $10 for ages 17 and younger. Add $50 to attend the reception.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit pittsburghfestivalopera.org.