Pittsburgh Opera's Intermezzo was a daily dose of operatic escape during the Coronavirus pandemic
During this time of #SocialDistancing, we are unable to share our art with you live onstage at the Benedum Center. But perhaps now more than ever we believe in the power of music and the human voice to heal, to uplift, and to unite.
That’s why we are proud to bring you Intermezzo. Intermezzo was a daily dose of operatic escape, delivered virtually instead of in-person. Intermezzo featured daily videos from past Pittsburgh Opera performances, as well as serenades by our Resident Artists, who sent virtual greetings from their homes.
Our 50th and final Intermezzo video on May 10th, coincided with what would have been the last day of our 2019-20 season. Director of Marketing & Communications Chris Cox sent a Mother's Day greeting to all the moms out there, and introduced the finale of our 2018 production of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love. This video is generoulsy sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Pittsburgh Opera would like to thank everyone who submitted 'introductory' videos for the Intermezzo series, along with all of our sponsors, and the team members who curated, edited, and published these videos.
Please make a gift to Pittsburgh Opera to help us through these uncertain times. Our company has overcome World War II, the Cold War, recessions, 9/11, and other national periods of crisis. With your help we will overcome this one too, and emerge ready to welcome you back in person for our exciting 2020-21 season. Please give now. Thank you for your support, from the bottom of our hearts.
May 8 - Joshua Hopkins in Don Pasquale
Our May 8th video included a shout to all our hard-working and courageous medical professionals out there from baritone Joshua Hopkins (who played the far less reputable Dr. Malatesta in our 2019 production of Don Pasquale).
In this aria "Bella siccome un angelo", Malatesta endeavors to convince Don Pasquale that 'Norina' (allegedly Malatesta's sister) would be the perfect subservient bride. (Perhaps Don Pasquale should have gotten a second opinion!) This video is generously sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
May 5 - Michael Braxton / Don Pasquale
Our May 5th video was from Pittsburgh Opera Director of Development Michael Braxton. Michael sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Pittsburgh's North Side, and asked that folks who are able to contribute to #GiveBigPittsburgh please include Pittsburgh Opera in their giving. Michael introduced a clip from our 2019 production of Don Pasquale, directed by Chuck Hudson and featuring the incomparable Kevin Glavin as Don Pasquale himself.
May 3 - Glenn Lewis / Tosca
Our May 3rd video was from Pittsburgh Opera Head of Music Glenn Lewis, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings with a flourish. Glenn introduced a climactic scene from our 2017 production of Puccini's Tosca - the powerful 'Te Deum'.
April 30 - Jonathan Beyer in The Barber of Seville
Our April 30th video was from baritone Jonathan Beyer, a Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alum. Jonathan sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Manhattan. Jonathan introduced a clip of himself as Figaro from our 2016 production of Rossini's The Barber of Seville. As the barber in question, Figaro sings of his awesomeness as the luckiest, busiest, and smartest fellow in town in the famous aria "Largo al factotum."
April 28 - Bill Buchanan in Nabucco
Our April 28th greeting was from long-time Pittsburgh Opera chorister Bill Buchanan, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Penn Hills. Bill introduced one of the most moving and beloved choral scenes in all of opera - "Va, pensiero" from Verdi's Nabucco which we performed in 2015. This Intermezzo video is sponsored by our friends at PNC.
April 27 - Brian Vu in Little Women
Our April 27th greeting was from Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alum Brian Vu, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from sunny Los Angeles. Brian introduced a clip of himself as John Brooke in our 2016 production of Mark Adamo's Little Women.
April 26 - Antony Walker / Turandot
Our April 26th greeting was from Pittsburgh Opera Music Director, Maestro Antony Walker, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Minnesota. Antony introduced a clip from the end of Act 1 of our 2017 production of Puccini's Turandot, which he conducted.
April 25 - Matt Scollin in Little Women
Our April 25th greeting was from former Resident Artist Matt Scollin and his family, who sent their #SocialDistancing greetings from their home outside Washington, DC. Matt introduced a clip from our 2016 production of Mark Adamo's Little Women. As Friedrich Bhaer, he stops Jo March (Corrie Stallings) in her tracks with a stirring rendition of "Kennst du das Land?" in both German and English.
April 24 - Chris Cox / The Elixir of Love
Our April 24th greeting was from our Director of Marketing and Communications Chris Cox, and Cinnamon the guinea pig. They sent their #SocialDistancing greetings from their home in Pittsburgh. Chris introduced a clip from an opera that always makes him laugh, our 2018 production of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, directed by Daniel Slater.
April 21 - Leah Heater in Richard the Lionheart
Our April 21st greeting was from Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumna Leah Heater, who sent #SocialDistancing greetings from West Virginia. Leah introduced a clip of herself in the title role of Handel's Richard the Lionheart, aka Riccardo Primo, from our January 2017 production.
April 19 - Tyler Zimmerman in La bohème
Our April 19th greeting was from Resident Artist Tyler Zimmerman, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Pittsburgh, and introduced a clip of himself as Colline in our 2019 production of Puccini's La bohème. In one of the most touching scenes in all of opera, Colline prepares to pawn his winter coat to help buy medicine for Mimì.
April 18 - Michael Mayes in Moby-Dick
Our April 18th greeting was from baritone Michael Mayes, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Texas. Michael introduced a clip of him as Starbuck in our 2018 production of Moby-Dick, where he ponders whether it's murder to strike a would-be murderer in his bed.
April 17 - Bill Powers / The Elixir of Love
Our April 17th greeting was from Pittsburgh Opera Managing Director Bill Powers, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in the South Hills. Bill introduced a fun clip of Dr. Dulcamara (Paolo Pecchioli) extolling the virtues of his miraculous elixir in our 2018 production of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love. Drink up everyone!
April 15 - Sean Panikkar in La bohème
Our April 15th greeting was from terrific tenor Sean Panikkar who, along with his son, daughter, and faithful family dog, sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Michigan. Sean introduced a clip of himself as Rodolfo in our 2019 production of Puccini's La bohème.
April 14 - Rob Boldin / Moby-Dick
Our April 14th greeting was from Pittsburgh Opera Artistic Administrator Rob Boldin, who shared his #SocialDistancing greetings (and the view) from his Lawrenceville home's backyard. Rob introduced a wonderful chorus scene from our 2018 production of Moby-Dick, where the crew of the Pequod prepares to set sail.
April 12 - Christopher Hahn / Carmen
Our April 12th video was from Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Pittsburgh, and introduced the seductive Seguidilla from our 2015 production of Carmen.
April 10 - Sari Gruber in La bohème
Our April 10th video was from Pittburgh Opera's beloved Sari Gruber. Sari sent her #SocialDistancing greetings from her home in the South Hills. She also introduced a clip of one of opera's favorite arias, 'Quando men vo' from our 2019 La bohème, where she scandalizes her sugar daddy Alcindoro (Kevin Glavin) and frustrates her true love Marcello (Craig Verm).
April 7 - Danielle Pastin in The Marriage of Figaro
Our April 7th video was from Pittsburgh's DIY Diva Danielle Pastin. Danielle sent her #SocialDistancing greetings from her home here in Pittsburgh, and introduced a clip of her as the Countess singing "Porgi Amor" in our 2017 production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.
BONUS: Danielle shares a previously-secret 'behind the scenes' story from opening night. There was a lot more happening off-stage just prior to her aria "Porgi Amor" than the audience realized!
April 4 - James Lesniak / Carmen
Our April 4th video was from James Lesniak, who sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Pittsburgh, and introduced the crowd-pleasing "Toreador" from our 2015 production of Carmen.
April 3 - Mark Trawka / Carmen
Our April 3rd video was from Pittsburgh Opera Chorus Master Mark Trawka. He sent his #SocialDistancing greetings from his home in Pittsburgh, and introduced the sultry Habanera from our 2015 production of Carmen.
April 2 - Jasmine Muhammad in Carmen
Our April 2nd video was from soprano Jasmine Muhammad, one of our wonderful Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumns. Jasmine sent her greetings from Virgina, and introduced a clip of her as Micaëla in our 2015 production of Carmen singing "Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante".
March 30 - Yazid Gray
Our March 30th Intermezzo video was by Resident Artist Yazid Gray. Please enjoy his ‘social distancing serenade’ of "Deh vieni alla finestra" from Don Giovanni.
March 29 - Natasha Wilson
Our March 29th Intermezzo video was by our very own Kiwi, Resident Artist Natasha Wilson, who sends her greetings from all the way in New Zealand. Please enjoy her ‘social distancing serenade’ of "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi.
March 27 - Angel Romero
Our March 27th Intermezzo video was by First Year Resident Artist Angel Romero. Please enjoy his ‘social distancing serenade’ of "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" from The Land of Smiles.
