Pittsburgh Opera

The Pittsburgh Opera this weekend will travel back in time starting this weekend to bring you the story of Paul in the English-language opera “Paul’s Case.”

It’s based on the story of the same name by Willa Cather, who wrote it while living in Pittsburgh. The story starts out in Pittsburgh where young Paul, described as a “dandy,” yearns for a more exciting life away from dark and industrial Pittsburgh.  

“It really gets at how difficult it is to be a teenager whether it’s 1905 or today,” said composer Gregory Spears. “It’s a difficult time for all of us whether we’re teachers or teenagers ourselves or parents.”

To kick off its 75th season, the Pittsburgh Opera is looking for “super” men — minus the red cape … and the shirt.

The opera is holding open auditions to find approximately 60 male supernumeraries, or extras, for non-singing parts in Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida.”

The extras will play priests and slaves marching after an Egyptian victory over invading Ethiopians as part of the opera’s famous Triumphal Scene.

While some “supers” will be dressed in robes, many will have to bare their chests as Egyptian soldiers.

This year, the Pittsburgh Opera will celebrate its 75th season. 90.5 WESA Senior News Editor Mark Nootbaar, talks with Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn about the upcoming season and their Diamond Jubilee.