Pittsburgh Opera's Pull Back the Curtain was a weekly glimpse behind the scenes of opera life.
These free livestreams were supported in part by donations via Pittsburgh Opera’s new ‘one-click giving’ platform.
Beginning Thursday, July 23rd at 4:00PM Eastern time, Pittsburgh Opera began Livestreaming a free weekly web series called Pull Back the Curtain.
Hosted by Pittsburgh Opera's Director of Artistic Operations Rob Boldin, each week Rob interviewed special guests from the opera community – singers, musicians, stage directors, and more. The lively discussions gave viewers behind-the-scenes looks at what it’s like being an opera singer, how operas are made, and why opera has thrived for centuries.
Each episode was broadcasted on Pittsburgh Opera’s Facebook page, before being syndicated to YouTube and hosted on this webpage
You can now view all episodes of this series below:
Episode 1
For the inaugural episode, Rob was joined by former Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists Brian Vu and Ashley Fabian. Fabian, a lyric soprano who was a Resident Artist from 2017-2019, was a winner of the 2020 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in her home district of South Carolina. Vu, a baritone who was a Resident Artist from 2015-2017, made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera last season in Der Rosenkavalier.
Episode 2
Pull Back the Curtain Episode 2 took a look at some of our recent Pittsburgh premiere operas (As One, The Long Walk, and Summer King) and how they have engaged with modern and timely social issues.
Episode 3
General Director Christopher Hahn revealed our new 2020-21 Season reboot, as well as our new Resident Artists!
Episode 4
On this episode, special guest host Pittsburgh Opera Marketing and Communications Director Christian Cox was joined by Director of Musical Studies and Chorus Master Mark Trawka to talk about the challenges of rehearsing and performing in the time of COVID.
Episode 5
Rob Boldin talks with Maestro Antony Walker about working with a small, chamber orchestra next season.
Episode 6
Pittsburgh Opera Power(s) couple, Sari Gruber and Bill Powers, reveal how their family keeps in tip-top artistic shape during quarantine!
Episode 7
Rob Boldin interviews Concertmaster Charles Stegeman and his wife, Assistant Concertmaster Rachel Stegeman to get a view from the orchestra pit.
Episode 8
Costume Shop Manager Jason Bray shares the scoop from the costume shop, and might even tease a few designs from our upcoming 2020-21 Season productions!
