Best Opera Performances In Pittsburgh
For all of the performances, be sure to get downtown at least an hour before each showtime to take part in a free pre-opera talk in the Orchestra seating section of the Benedum Center. The talks are one hour in length and end right before the curtain goes up. Each talk teaches ticket holders more about the composer, the story of the opera and other fun facts about the show you are about to see.
The Pittsburgh Opera
2425 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 281-0912
www.pittsburghopera.org
"The Abduction From the Seraglio"
Composed by Wolfgang Mozart
The Benedum Center
803 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 456-6666
pittsburghopera.org
Dates: April 28 through May 6
Price: $10.75 - $155.75
This Mozart opera premiered for the first time in 1782, telling the story of two women who are being held captive in a Turkish harem and the men who set out to rescue them. The middle east setting along with a story of lust from the women's captors and the love of the men seeking to rescue them, made Mozart's opera instantly popular after its premier. This was largely due to the fascination Western Europe had with exotic eastern cultures at the time. Unlike many popular operas, "The Abduction From the Seraglio" is performed in English, making this show extremely accessible to its audience.
"Rigoletto"
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
The Benedum Center
803 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 456-6666
trustarts.org
Dates: October 6 through October 14
Price: Ticket prices will be released closer to performance
This Verdi opera tells the story of a court jester named Rigoletto. Drama ensues after Rigoletto mocks courtiers at a ball. Excitement continues throughout, keeping audiences enthralled with a much-anticipated ending. Set against incredible orchestrations by Verdi, a story about curses, vengeance and a family's reputation unfolds in this exciting production. Performed in Italian, you can expect The Pittsburgh Opera to offer subtitles projected above the stage so lyrics can be understood by Pittsburgh's English-speaking audience. "Rigoletto" will be one of the best performances of the year so make sure you don't miss out on the action.
"Don Giovanni"
Composed by Wolfgang Mozart
The Benedum Center
803 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 456-6666
trustarts.org
Dates: November 3 through November 11
Price: Ticket prices will be released closer to performance
"Don Giovanni" is sure to be performed in front of a sold-out theater. This opera is an extremely well-known tale of a young, arrogant womanizer named Don Giovanni. Uninterested in changing his ways, even when he is met by the ghost of one of his conquest's fathers, this opera unveils another tale of familial drama and the consequences of ill-behaved members of high society. This performance will move you in ways that may have never before been experienced, because Mozart mastered the portrayal of a story through words in the most beautiful and entertaining way with "Don Giovanni."
Related: Benedum Center Gets New Seats
For more information about all of the performances, online ticket purchases, previews of the music you'll hear, educational talks and more, visit The Pittsburgh Opera's website.
