Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
October 11, 14, 16
7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m.
If you missed opening night for Pittsburgh Opera‘s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata, then you’re in luck because the most popular opera in the world will shine for three more performances this month at downtown’s Benedum Center.
Whether you’re a lifelong opera connoisseur—or you know it from the hit movie Pretty Woman or its placement in those Heineken television commercials—you’ll get a fresh new take on this cornerstone of operatic repertory. Being staged locally for the first time in five years, La traviata ushers in a grand new season for Pittsburgh Opera.
An opera in three acts by written in 1853 by the legendary Italian composer, La traviata (the fallen woman) will dazzle audiences with its compelling tale of love, intrigue, money and power—all set to a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.
Performing a production of La traviata which is brand new to Pittsburgh, the masterwork showcases some of the “more ribald aspects of 19th-century Parisian society”—from the highly “rousing Brindisi drinking song to touching arias.” Audiences will be drawn into a heartfelt story—and lots of bawdy fun—about the memorable courtesan Violetta Valéry, played by Pittsburgh favorite Danielle Pastin, as the opera explores timeless themes of romance, reputation, and social issues.
Making his Pittsburgh Opera debut is Cody Austin, who portrays Alfredo Germont, the romantic who wins Violetta’s love and angers his own father. Also making his Pittsburgh Opera debut is Romanian performer Sebastian Catana, who depicts Alfredo’s stoic and old-fashioned father, Giorgio Germont.
Conducted by Christian Capocaccia and directed by Chas Rader-Shieber, the opera features an acclaimed score of arias, vivid characters, a coherent plot, and immersive sets and costumes.
La traviata runs October 11 at 7 p.m., October 14 at 7:30 p.m. and October 16 at 2 p.m. The public can also attend a special “Meet the Artists” event immediately following the October 11 show, and a “Brown Bag Concert” on October 15 at noon at Pittsburgh Opera’s George R. White Studio in the Strip District.
Looking for more events? Check out our 12 Pittsburgh events not to miss in October, Everything you need to know about Pittsburgh concerts in October and 12 great family adventures in Pittsburgh this October feature stories.