A half-hour behind-the-scenes look at each Pittsburgh Opera production featuring musical excerpts, guest artist interviews, and insight from artistic director Christopher Hahn. Hosted by Stephen Baum.
 THE CAPULETS AND THE MONTAGUES
Vincenzo Bellini
April 27th at 6pm and May 1st at 7pm
THE STORY: World-class opera stars Vivica Genaux and Laura Claycomb ignite the stage in this version of the famous tale of star-crossed lovers. Vivica, a dazzling Pittsburgh favorite, sings Romeo, one of those "pants roles" in which delectable mezzo sopranos play the part of ardent young men.
THE CAST:
Giulietta - Laura Claycomb
Romeo - Vivica Genaux
Tebaldo - Arthur Espiritu
Capellio - David Pittsinger
Lorenzo - Jonathan Beyer
 AIDA
Guiseppi Verdi
March 23rd & 27th 2008, at 7pm
THE STORY: An Ethiopian princess enslaved at the Egyptian court, Aida secretly loves the one man with the power to destroy her homeland. Radamès returns Aida's love, but the ruthless princess Amneris stands in their way. Whether they betray their country or their love, there is no escape. Intimate human drama within the epic sweep of ancient Egypt-it's grand opera at its most spectacular.
THE CAST:
Ramfis - Morris Robinson
Radamès - Vladimir Kuzmenko
Amneris - Stephanie Blythe
Aida - Eszter Sümegi
 FLIGHT
Jonathan Dove
January 20th and 24th 2008, at 7pm
THE STORY: It's a heady mixture of farce and drama when a storm strands airline passengers and crew, forcing them to take stock of their tempestuous lives. Countertenor sensation David Walker headlines as the Refugee, along with local favorite Myrna Paris as the older woman looking for love in all the wrong places.
THE CAST:
Refugee - David Walker
Controller - Audrey Luna
Bill - Dean Kokanos
Older Woman - Myrna Paris
 THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
Gaetano Donizetti
November 4th and 8th 2007, at 7pm
THE STORY: A fast-talking con man and his "magic potion" stir up romance when the hapless Nemorino needs something special to win the heartless Adina away from a swaggering soldier. You'll think you're in River City (home of The Music Man) when you see this enchanting evocation of small-town America - complete with a bandstand on the green and a vintage ice cream truck.
THE CAST:
Giannetta - Deborah Selig
Nemorino - John Nuzzo
Adina - Elizabeth Futral
Belcore - Palle Knudsen
 MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Giacomo Puccini
October 7th and 11th 2007, at 7pm
THE STORY: A fragile geisha blinded by love marries a dashing American officer who then abandons her. Three years later, he returns with his "real" American wife only to take Butterfly's son away. This shimmering production-it literally floats on water-comes to the U.S. for the first time from Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House.
THE CAST:
B. F. Pinkerton - Frank Lopardo
Suzuki - Zheng Cao
Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) - Verónica Villarroel
INTERVIEWS:
Antony Walker, Music Director of Pittsburgh Opera
Christopher Hahn, Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Opera
Veronica Villaroel, soprano, playing the part of Madama Butterfly
Zheng Cao, mezzo-soprano, who plays Suzuki
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