Pittsburgh Opera season promises something for every taste, budget

There’s a misconception that opera is only for those with rarefied musical tastes and deep pockets.

Pittsburgh Opera will prove otherwise with offerings in its 2022-23 season, according to general director Christopher Hahn.

“We’re continuing the philosophy and mission of Pittsburgh Opera to provide as wide a range of operatic entertainment as we can to our audience,” he said. “We always try to avoid just doing popular pieces, just doing contemporary pieces. We want to expose audiences to new ideas and look at rare opportunities as well.”

The season includes operas previously staged in Pittsburgh and others that will be new to local audiences, staged at the Benedum Center in the Cultural District and other city venues. It also includes a number of free programs.

“The stereotype is that, ‘Opera is so expensive, I couldn’t possibly afford to go,’” Hahn said. “Of course, the cheapest ticket is around $12, and we have a slew of free events. A lot of people come to those and use that as a gateway into exploring the music and getting to know our young singers.

“It’s an easy step then to buy a ticket, which does not have to be expensive,” he said. “The Benedum Center is a large venue, and you can go in at any price point.”

Operas on the 2022-23 schedule include:

• “Rusalka,” Sept. 17-25 at the Benedum Center — Music by Antonín Dvořák, with libretto by Jaroslav Kvapil. The Czech version of the fairy tale, “The Little Mermaid,” Rusalka is a water sprite who falls in love with a human prince.

Courtesy of Dan Norman

Pittsburgh Opera will present Dvorak’s “Rusalka” Sept. 17-25 in the Benedum Center in the Cultural District.

• “The Marriage of Figaro,” Nov. 5-13 at the Benedum Center — Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, a sequel to “The Barber of Seville.” Figaro has lost interest in his wife Rosina in this popular comic opera rife with cases of mistaken identity and romantic subterfuge.

• “Ariodante,” Jan. 21-29, 2023, at Pittsburgh CAPA School Theater — Music by George Frideric Handel, with libretto based on a work by Antonio Salvi. Set in medieval Scotland, this baroque opera finds Prince Ariodante being tricked into believing his betrothed has been unfaithful.

• “Il Trovatore,” March 15-April 2, 2023, at the Benedum Center — Music by Giuseppe Verdi, with libretto by Salvadore Cammarano. Brothers who don’t know they are brothers find themselves on opposite sides of a civil war in 1400s Spain and in love with the same woman.

• “Denis & Katya,” May 6-20, 2023, at Bitz Opera Factory — Music by Philip Venables, with libretto by Ted Huffman. Based on the true story of two Russian 15-year-olds who live-streamed the last hours of their lives during a standoff with Russian special forces.

• “We Shall Not Be Moved,” May 13-21, 2023, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center — Music by Daniel Bernard Roumain, with libretto by Marc Bamuthi Joseph. Five teens on the run find refuge in an abandoned house in West Philadelphia, the location that served as headquarters of the MOVE organization, where a 1985 standoff with police ended in a neighborhood destroyed and 11 people dead. Combines spoken word, contemporary movement and video projection with classical, R&B and jazz singing.

“Opera tries to explore man’s relationship with his universe, which basically is looking at the social norms of the day and either delving into them, pushing against them or trying to push further past them,” Hahn said. “There were very few works that have endured that don’t have some underpinning in really serious social issues.

“What’s great about opera is that, besides what it’s delving into, it’s providing amazing entertainment, pleasure in the joys of melody and voice and color,” he said. “That’s why it’s always so fascinating – because it can be seen through so many prisms.”

Free events in the upcoming season will include Pre-Opera Talks, one hour before each performance; Meet The Artists, following each Tuesday evening performance; Rising Stars concert at the Bitz Opera Factory; and Brown Bag Concerts, on select Saturdays at the Bitz Opera Factory.

Upcoming special events include the 67th Annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball, Sept. 30 at the Omni William Penn Hotel; a fashion show with date to be announced in February 2023 at Bitz Opera Factory; and Maecenas Ball XXXVIII, April 15, 2023, at Bitz Opera Factory.

Season tickets are now available. Subscriptions for the four mainstage productions range from $53.25 to $609. Single ticket sales for “Rusalka” begin in late July, with single tickets for subsequent productions going on sale in late August.

For more information and tickets, call 412-281-0912 or visit pittsburghopera.org.