Get your forks and taste buds ready! Pittsburgh Musical Theater's upcoming professional production is "Waitress"!

Actress playing the starring role, Zanny Laird, talks about her role in the upcoming production. Her character, Jenna, takes an emotional journey throughout the story, as she comes to grips with her stalling career and marriage. With dreams of one day opening up her own pie shop, an unexpected pregnancy brings changes to her life. Zanny highlights how she is approaching this show. It is a full circle moment for her, as she auditioned for the role years ago for a different theater, and now has the chance to bring Jenna to life.

Zanny also reveals her personal choices when it comes to pie, as well as the pie making lessons the crew have been giving her. Zanny also highlights her past work with PMT, and the classes she is teaching for them in the summer.

You can see "Waitress" at the Gargaro Theater from May 1st to 25th. It's a Pittsburgh Regional Premiere!

Visit https://pittsburghmusicals.com/waitress/ to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

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The Pittsburgh Opera is premiering a brand new opera, "Woman with Eyes Closed" this weekend!

Composer of the opera, Jennifer Higdon, talks with Jim Cunningham live about her work on the new opera. The story is inspired by a real 2012 art heist in Rotterdam, involving works by Picasso, Monet, Matisse, and many others. The thief hid the paintings from his mother, who then burned them to protect him. Higdon talks about how the opera explores themes of art's value, mortality, and sacrifice.

Jennifer highlights the three unique endings the opera could have when audience members see it. She doesn't know what the cast will choose each night, so everyone should see the show more than once! She composed different music for each ending. Higdon says that on the fourth and fifth night, the rehearsal audience and cast, respectively, will choose the ending.

Higdon shares her past work with the Pittsburgh Symphony, and her connection to Pittsburgh. She also discusses upcoming projects!

Pittsburgh Opera's "Woman with Eyes Closed" is on April 26th, 29th, and May 2nd-4th at the Bitz Opera Factory. All performances are sold out, but there will be a waitlist!

Visit https://pittsburghopera.org/season/woman-with-eyes-closed to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

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The spring semester is wrapping up across college's in Pittsburgh. One Carnegie Mellon University student, Logan Williams, will perform his end of year recital.

Logan, soprano Sarah Austin, and pianist Billie Miller, talk with Jim Cunningham live about their upcoming concert. Logan talks about his studies at CMU as an Advanced Musical Studies Certificate student. He explains how creating this concert was for him to explore and celebrate oratorio repertoire alongside opera music. The flexibility of his program allows him to get into works that interest him the most.

He also shares how he met Sarah at the Pittsburgh Opera and Festival Opera. Sarah shares her background, and the solo piece she is performing in the recital. Billie talks about working at CMU as a faculty member and collaborative pianist.

The end of the recital culminates in Handel's "Let Their Celestial Concerts Unite" from Samson with eight singers and some chorus members. Logan performs live "Oh Loss of Sight" and "Total Eclipse" from Samson, with Billie Miller at the piano.

You can hear Logan Williams Recital at Rodef Shalom on Saturday, May 3rd at 8:30 pm. This is a free concert for all!

Visit https://www.cmu.edu/cfa/music/concerts-events/index.html#event=43901015 to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

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Confluence Ballet is presenting a brand new ballet, created by a Pittsburgh based composer!

Composer Joshua Malave, and Co-Artistic Director of the Ballet Adrian Green, talk about the upcoming new ballet, "The Onion". They talk about the premise of the show, based on a Russian parable from Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov". A wicked woman dies, and is cast into hell. Her guardian angel, trying to get her into heaven, looks for any good deeds the woman has done. Once, the woman gave an onion to someone. The angel tries to lift the wicked woman out of hell with the onion, but the onion breaks.

Adrian highlights the story's relationship between good and evil, and why it translates into a ballet so well. Josh talks about his work creating the music behind the story, which consists of more than 9 different pieces. He also talks about the live band on-stage, that includes two pianos, a clarinet, and some string players.

Finally, Adrian hopes people come to see this brand new ballet and help Confluence push the boundaries and repertoire of dance.

You can see Confluence Ballet's "The Onion" on May 3rd at 7 pm and May 4th at 2 pm at Attack Theatre.

Visit https://www.confluenceballet.org/ to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

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Tuesday Musical Club's String Ensemble will be in concert next Tuesday!

Director of the ensemble, Jennifer Cowles McGinley, talks with Anna Singer live about the upcoming concert. Jennifer talks about the concert's program, which includes Bach's Art of the Fugue, a Schubert Trio, movements from Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 7, and much more. She also reflects on her third year conducting the ensemble, after she initially took over as substitute for Paul Kreitzer.

Jennifer also highlights her musical experience as a Julliard violinist, who is now deeply passionate about chamber music. The string ensemble has high standards for a community group, but is full of community and compassion. Jennifer encourages more people to join Tuesday Musical Club because of its long history in Pittsburgh and inclusiveness.

You can hear Tuesday Musical Club's String Ensemble perform on Tuesday, April 29th at 1 pm at Rodef Shalom's Levy Hall.

Visit https://www.tuesdaymusicalclub.org/events/public/article/tmc-string-ensemble-in-concert/5864/c15/ to see the program. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

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Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

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There is a new glass art exhibition coming to the Pittsburgh Glass Center. "To Hold..." by Lauren Kalman, explores the negative space in glass left by an imprint of a body.

Visual artist Lauren Kalman, and Marketing Director of the Pittsburgh Glass Center Paige Ilkhanipour, talk about the upcoming exhibit. Lauren talks about how her idea for this exhibit first started in 2019 with clay. Paige talks about bringing new artists to the Center through their Idea Furnace, which targets non-glass artists. Paige highlights how Lauren works with a team at the Glass Center to create this exhibition. The Center brings the glass expertise, and Lauren brings the ideas.

Lauren also talks about the casting process to create life-sized casts of her body to help mold the glass. She currently teaches at the Wayne State University in Detroit, and looks forward to the semester ending soon. Paige highlights the Glass Center's two recent expansions, including the newest that opens up additional exhibit space a block from the Glass Center. They hope to showcase student work, and offer more resident space for artists.

You can see "To Hold..." at the Pittsburgh Glass Center from May 2nd to August 3rd. There will be a free Hot Jam on May 2nd, with a live demonstration. Lauren will also be available to talk to during the exhibits opening reception on May 2nd.

Visit https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/events/ to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

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Celebrated opera singer and long-time vocal instructor at Duquesne University, Claudia Pinza, first began teaching in 1974. This Saturday, they will honor her with performances and a plaque dedication.

Her son, Samuel Bozzola, talks with Anna Singer live about his mother's unexpected transition to opera teacher. He talks about her running a summer program in Italy for young singers, supported by major opera professionals, and hosted by an opera radio show for decades. He also shares how she founded Duquesne University's Opera workshop, which is now a respected program with full productions each year.

As a daughter of famed singer Ezio Pinza, she already had deep roots in the operatic world long before teaching. Samuel reflects on her sacrifices, especially ones she made for her family. He also highlights her influence on his own life, as he now teaches Italian and lectures on opera-related topics.

You can hear the Opera Workshop perform selections from three of Benjamin Britten's opera's. The tribute concert is this Saturday, April 26th at 7:30 pm at PNC Recital Hall.

There will be a plaque dedication and brief remarks at intermission.

Visit Duquesne Music to learn more and find tickets. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

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Pittsburgh Opera concludes its 2024-2025 Season with a world premiere - "Woman with Eyes Closed" - April 26th through May 4th at the Bitz Opera Factory. The role of Mona was written for Meredith Arwady. She talks about being a contralto; knowing the composer Jennifer Higdon; and finally seeing the opera come to the stage after 6 years in development. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

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else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

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Pittsburgh Opera concludes its 2024-2025 Season with a world premiere - "Woman with Eyes Closed" - April 26th through May 4th at the Bitz Opera Factory. Stage Director Kristine McIntyre talks about staging this world premiere, along with how to stage an opera with three different endings! Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

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Pittsburgh Opera concludes its 2024-2025 Season with a world premiere - "Woman with Eyes Closed" - April 26th through May 4th at the Bitz Opera Factory. Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn talks about how the opera came to be; the excitement of ending the season with a world premiere; and working with the composer, Jennifer Higdon. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.