In response to Allegheny County Health Department’s Nov. 18 stay-at-home advisory, Pittsburgh Opera will not have in-person audiences for its upcoming production of “Soldier Songs.”
The opera will be presented as a free livestream at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 on YouTube and Facebook, thanks to sponsorship from UPMC.
Patrons may sign up at pittsburghopera.org to receive a reminder email one hour before the broadcast that will contain links to view the livestream. They also can unlock premium content, including the official program book and a pre-performance podcast, by making a donation of $25 or more on the website.
With music and libretto by David T. Little, “Solider Songs” combines elements of theater, opera, rock-infused concert music and animation to explores perception versus realities of war, the loss and exploitation of innocence and the difficulty of expressing the truth of war, according to the opera website.
The libretto was adapted from recorded interviews with veterans of five wars. The 11 songs trace the shift in the Soldier’s perception of war from age 6 to 66.
Baritone Yazid Gray, a second-year Pittsburgh Opera resident artist, will sing the part of the Soldier.
Gray made his debut with the opera in summer 2019, singing Fiorello in Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” His resume includes performances with Opera Maine and Opera Santa Barbara.
“We would have loved to have patrons in our theater again to see this opera in person, but we fully understand social gatherings are not practical, given the significant spike in covid-19 cases in the area. We are proud to give people the opportunity to still experience this compelling opera via livestream,” said Pittsburgh Opera general director Christopher Hahn.
The opera will compensate cast, orchestra and production personnel for all originally planned performances.
Ticket-holders can donate their tickets back to Pittsburgh Opera to help offset production expenses, apply them to future performances or receive a refund. Ticket-holders who donate their tickets back will automatically receive access to Pittsburgh Opera’s premium content to accompany the live-stream.
Patrons are requested to email tickets@pittsburghopera.org with their selection.
