PITTSBURGH, Oct. 9 PA-Pittsburgh-Opera
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ --
What: "Samson & Dalila" by Camille Saint-Saens
Where: The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
When: Saturday, October 18 at 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 PM
Friday, October 24 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 PM
Run Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes, including 2 intermissions
Language: Sung in French with projected English titles.
Tickets: Start at $16. Call (412) 456-6666, visit
www.pittsburghopera.org, or purchase in person at the Theater Square box
office at 665 Penn Avenue.
More info: For an enhanced version of this release with artist bios,
interview with the stage director, and related events, visit
http://www.pittsburghopera.org/pressroom/pressroom.shtml?search=action&categor
y=H000 (Due to the length of this URL please copy and paste into your
browser). Pittsburgh Opera homepage www.pittsburghopera.org
The eyes of the opera world will be on Pittsburgh Opera when mezzo-soprano
Stephanie Blythe makes her eagerly anticipated role debut as the femme fatale
in "Samson & Dalila" by Camille Saint-Saens. Samson is the highly regarded
tenor Frank Porretta; Metropolitan Opera baritone Kim Josephson schemes
against him as the High Priest of Dagon, and Harry Dworchak thunders as the
despised ruler Abimelech. Music Director Antony Walker leads the orchestra and
chorus, and Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope bring the talents of Attack
Theatre to the captivating Bacchanale, Saint-Saens's famous dance of the
Philistines. Stephen Pickover directs.
General Director Christopher Hahn comments, "This is such an honor for
Pittsburgh Opera to have Stephanie Blythe returning for another 'first' in her
repertoire-and just six months after her Amneris in 'Aida' last spring."
Blythe, widely regarded as the world's leading mezzo-soprano, was looking for
just the right place to make this role debut, and according to Hahn, "We were
able to program this opera especially for her."
The Production. Pittsburgh Opera has purchased and enhanced a set
originally designed for Opera Memphis by Peter Dean Beck. Its most striking
element is an enormous medallion depicting Dagon, the fish/man god of the
Philistines, that dominates the Temple scene in Act III. In the last seconds
of the opera, that medallion breaks apart, and massive blocks fall as Samson
rocks the pillars of the temple. The costumes are by Michael Scott for
Washington National Opera.
This production is generously sponsored by the H. J. Heinz Company
Foundation
Pittsburgh Opera's 2008-2009 season sponsors include:
PNC Foundation (Opening Night Sponsor)
The Bank of New York Mellon (Friday Night Sponsor)
Pittsburgh Opera, now celebrating its 70th season, is one of America's
leading opera companies. It produces a range of programs, from mainstage
productions to free community concerts to intimate cabarets. Pittsburgh
Opera's internationally renowned resident artist program is among the
country's top five training centers for rising opera stars. More than 20,000
students, families, and educators participate in Pittsburgh Opera educational
events annually. The company's newly designed administrative and rehearsal
space is housed in a 140-year-old air brake factory in the city's Strip
District.
SOURCE Pittsburgh Opera
