Voice of the Arts

Emily Richter sings the role of Iphigenie in Pittsburgh Opera’s production of Gluck’s “Iphigenie en Tauride” running from January 20th through the 28th at the CAPA Theater. Emily spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about the role and her favorite parts in the opera.

Van Cliburn award winning pianist Dr. Barry Coutinho and members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra present a benefit concert for Shoulder to Shoulder Pittsburgh-San Jose on Friday January 19th, 2024 at the Haberman Conference Center at UPMC Shadyside. Shoulder to Shoulder aims to improve health outcomes in San Jose del Negrito, Honduras and the surrounding rural communities by empowering these communities to provide sustainable comprehensive primary health care. This benefit concert includes Piano Classics and Argentinian Tangos. Dr. Coutinho spoke with WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham about the concert.

Prime Stage Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, Wayne Brinda, and Education Director, Linda Haston, discuss their upcoming performance of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott that runs from January 19th to the 28th at the New Hazlett Theater. This 90-minute play is a part of Prime Stage’s Sprouts Production Series that hopes to bring literature to life for students starting in 3rd graders and their families. This production also features an exhibit at the neighboring Children’s Museum. Wayne and Linda discuss the importance of introducing students to the life of Rosa Parks and theater. Linda also highlights her philosophy of creating theater for a younger audience, and how interacting with students enhances the experience for all.

New York Times bestselling author of adult thrillers and children’s picture books, Brad Meltzer, is back to discuss his latest Ordinary People Change the World book. Released on January 9th, I Am Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is the 32nd book in the series marking 10 years since the first book was published in the series. I am Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with illustrations by Christopher Eliopoulos, follows the story of a young Jewish girl growing up in Brooklyn who became a trailblazing advocate of justice in her pursuit to make the world a more just place for everyone to live in. Brad discusses how Ordinary People Change the World was first published, his personal connection to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the next book he is working on. Visit your local bookstore or online to find Brad Meltzer’s, I am Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Jim Cunningham speaks with Rev. D. Herbert Jones from the Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh which he founded. Dr. Jones is one of America’s foremost figures of choral music serving as one of the directors of the Let Freedom Sing Concert with Nikki Porter. Dr. Jones continues as Director of Music at Bethany Baptist Church and taught at CCAC.

The Concert is Monday, January 15th at 7pm at Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East liberty (It will also be livestreamed). The program features Anqwenique Kinsel, The Heritage Gospel Choral, Alton Merrell, piano and the MLK Festival Singers. Mikey Hood from KDKA will be the Master of Ceremonies. Dr. Jones reveals where you can hear the best gospel music in Pittsburgh and he discusses the tradition and origin of gospel music. Dr. Jones studied choral music extensively with degrees from the University of Mississippi and a PHD from the University of Pittsburgh. The concert is free but offerings will benefit the East End Cooperative Ministries Food Pantry.

Watch this episode on YouTube

The Executive Director of Chamber Music Pittsburgh, Kristen Linfante, is off to New York where she will become Executive Director of The Knights, an innovative chamber orchestra who have a Carnegie Hall series, a series of concerts in Chicago and have made highly regarded recordings with Gil Shaham, pipa virtuoso Wu Man and other notables. Kristen looks at the tea leaves for where classical music is headed and looks back on her decade of achievement with Chamber Music Pittsburgh expanding the range of offerings with Just Summer and Pittsburgh Performs concerts as well as exciting artists in the main stage series which has moved to the PNC Theater of Point park Playhouse downtown. Kristen also talks about her work in Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland’s baroque orchestra, where she has been a violist and Executive Director. Listen to the end of the conversation for viola talk and what bow she prefers.

Pianist Rishi Mirchandani is on his way to London having completed his study at Yale, the Manhattan School of Music and Mannes School in New York. He’ll return to Pittsburgh March 3rd, 5:30pm in the Kresge Theater for a Master Class at CMU.  He last visited WQED-FM when he recorded Three Preludes for Piano by Nancy Galbraith for the Centaur label. Rishi studied with Luz Manriquez in Pittsburgh, Elizabeth Parisot at Yale where he also met Aldo Parisot, former Pittsburgh Symphony Principal Cello. At Yale, he also studied math, graduating summa cum laude. At commencement, he received the Stanton Wheeler and Marcia  Chambers Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to Campus Life. At Manhattan School of Music, he was the winner of the President’s Award scholarship and was named to the Dean’s List in each of his four terms. Rishi brought his recording of Four Brahms Rhapsodies opus 116 to the QED Morning show with Jim Cunningham and talked about his interest in math and music. Rishi’s brother Suvir was a WQED-FM Musical Kid who is now studying Computer Science at Stanford and continues to play the piano.

World renowned Bass-Baritone opera singer, Kevin Glavin, discussed with Anna Singer live about his newest CD, A Touch of Class, which features reworked classics from Frank Sinatra and many more. Kevin and Anna also reminisce about the past, and converse about how Kevin chose the album cover. Visit https://www.kevinglavin.org/ to find the CD.

Artistic Director of Confluence Ballet, Lea Havas, and Marketing Associate, Kinsey Love, discuss their upcoming performance of “Nutcracker for a Difference” on December 16th and 17th at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. This different rendition of The Nutcracker will feature arrangements by David Berger, Billy Strayhorn, and Duke Ellington, and will feature children dancers during the party scene. Lea and Kinsey also talk about their love of the Nutcracker, the community of Pittsburgh, and how wonderful it is to connect with people over dance. Tickets are available at kelly-strayhorn.org. Learn more about the Confluence Ballet at www.confluenceballet.org/.

New Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Texas transplant, Nicholas Dragga, highlights PBT’s famous Nutcracker performances that run from Friday, December 8th to Thursday, December 28th. Many performances will have cameo’s by Pittsburgh’s famous, and highlight the uniqueness of the city of Pittsburgh. Dragga also talks about his experience at Ballet Lubbock, PBT’s draw, and how to look forward as he gets his Pittsburgh legs. Visit pbt.org to learn more and get tickets.

Scott Pauley, theorbo & baroque guitar for Chatham Baroque, and mezzo-soprano Raquel Winnica Young discussed with Anna Singer about their upcoming holiday concert, Alegria, featuring music of Baroque Spain and the Americas, on December 16th and 17th at the Hicks Memorial Chapel and Levy Hall. Chatham Baroque also welcomes soprano, Pascale Beaudin and percussionist and guitarist Paul Shipper in these two concerts. Scott and Raquel also discuss with Anna about the unique Spanish Baroque double harp that will be played by Paula Fagerberg, and the songs to be performed from the Sephardic diaspora. Visit chathambaroque.org/ to learn more.

WQED-FM’s Anna Singer joined Jim Cunningham and the QED Morning Show to talk about her performance this weekend with Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh.  Plus, they talk about other holiday events taking place this weekend.