Voice of the Arts

President of the Pittsburgh Symphony Association, Diane Unkovic , describes to Jim Cunningham what to expect at the Symphony Splendor Garden Tour, Sunday, June 23 from 11 am to 4 pm in Shadyside. 8 Beautiful Shadyside Gardens will be opened for a self guided tour or an air conditioned bus tour. Over 20 members of the Pittsburgh Symphony will perform throughout the welcome center and gardens with all proceeds benefiting the Pittsburgh Symphony. Diane also remembers her work for Senator Heinz and serving as an usher at Heinz Hall while at the University of Pittsburgh. She tells listeners how to become a master gardener and suggests what to do when a plant suddenly expires. Diane Unkovic suggests how to become a member of the Symphony Association, recommends a few books that have been favorites in the PSA Book Club, and she remembers her time spent as a painter. Visit https://pittsburghsymphonyassociation.org/symphony-splendor-garden-tour/ to learn more and find tickets.

Co-Artistic Directors of Chatham Baroque, violinist Andrew Fouts, and theorbo and baroque guitar player Scott Pauley, spoke with Anna Singer about Chatham Baroque’s newly released 2024-2025 season. The season includes Handel’s Apollo e Dafne with Twelfth Night, Roderick Williams, and Nola Richardson, French vocal and dance music from the time of Louis XII and XIV, and a world premiere of newly released version of Markus Passion to close out the season in April. Scott and Andrew also talk about three of the last of the 2023-2024 season that includes a Peanut Butter and Jam session on June 8th, and two performances with Danny Mallon in Heinz Memorial Chapel and Unity Cemetery in Latrobe. Visit chathambaroque.org to learn more.

Opera singer Marianne Cornetti and Broadway star Jay Armstrong Johnson, spoke about their upcoming performance this Sunday, June 9th at 3 pm at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. This performance is for the 3rd annual Marianne Cornetti and Friends Benefit Concert and Art Auction that benefits the UPMC Western Behavioral Health Foundation. This concert will feature an unforgettable afternoon of Broadway selections with Jay, Marianne, Isabella Zallo, Alexadria Zallo, and many more!

Attend the tale of PMT! Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s Conservatory Director, Quinn Patrick Shannon, and PMT students, Ilyssa Bails and Eli Fisher, spoke with WQED-FM about their upcoming summer camps this year in the West End. Ilyssa and Eli discuss the Teen camps end of semester performance of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Quinn discusses the different tracks and camps offered from June 24th to July 21st, and the open house on June 8th at 10 am. Hear what everyone’s favorite roles in Sweeney Todd are, and what makes theater so magical for all! Visit https://pittsburghmusicals.com/ to learn more.

Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh presents “As Spring Turns to Summer” – a program that includes Strauss, Honegger, and Copland, with performances on June 1, 2024, 7:30pm, at Levy Hall in Rodef Shalom and June 2, 2024, 3:00pm at Bower Hill Community Church. Soprano Zuly Inirio joins the orchestra for a performance of Richard Strauss’s cycle Four Last Songs. The program rounds out with Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland and Arthur Honegger’s Pastorale d’été. Artistic Director Edward Leonard and soloist Zuly Inirio spoke with WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham about the concert.

Interim Vice President of Programming, Manager of DEAI Initiatives, and Festival Director with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Sarah Aziz, spoke about the Three Rivers Arts Festival that begins this Friday, May 31st. Sarah discusses the artists market with over 326 artists, as well as the musical acts at three different stages downtown. Check out the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Monday, June 3rd, or the Thomas Wendt Quartet on June 4th. This free event is a staple in Pittsburgh, and one not to be missed. Visit https://traf.trustarts.org/events/ to learn more and get the full line up of events.

Executive Director of Contemporary Craft, Rachel Rearick, spoke about their upcoming exhibition, Hereafter, opening on Friday, May 31st. This exhibit features craft work by 13 regional artists mostly in the Pittsburgh area that delves into the feeling of grief. There will be a free opening reception on May 31st, and an Artists Talk on June 1st. Rachel highlights the work done by all the artists, and what Contemporary Craft has to offer the Pittsburgh region. Visit https://contemporarycraft.org/ to learn more.

Music Director of the Mendelssohn Choir, Daniel Dinger, and violinist, Andrew Sords, discuss their upcoming concert at the Third Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 1st at 7 pm. This free concert includes Cleveland-based pianist Elizabeth DeMio, and Pittsburgh Symphony cellist, Mike DeBruyn. Andrew and Daniel talk about the concerts program, how all the performers met at college, and what is next for the duo. Visit https://www.thirdchurch.org/music/ to learn more.

This Friday, May 31st, 7pm at the James Laughlin Music Hall, Kamratōn’s Anna Elder performs Schoenberg’s PIERROT LUNAIRE with guest artists Futaba Niekawa, piano and Jeffrey Turner, conductor. Other works on the program include OI KUU by Kaija Saariaho and the premiere of NOCTURNES by Emily Cook. Jim Cunningham spoke with Jeffrey Turner and Emily Cook about the concert, which they’ll perform in New York City on Sunday.

Artistic Director of Renaissance City Choir, Kym Scott, discusses the choirs upcoming concerts for Pride Month, starting with a performance at Pittsburgh Pride this Friday, May 31st at 2 pm at the Allegheny Commons Park West. They will be tabling all of the pride events in the Pittsburgh area during the month of June, and will celebrate the month with their own Pride concert on June 29th and 30th at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Kym talks about what goes into programming a concert, her work with West Virginia University choirs, and what Renaissance City Choir will be singing this Pride month. Visit https://rccpittsburgh.com/ to learn more.

Jim Cunningham spoke with Ben Bugaile about their new Summer Concert Recital Series beginning in July.

President and CEO of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, John McCabe, recently spoke with Jim Cunningham about the Hall’s upcoming Memorial Day celebration on May 27th from 11 am to 4 pm. John highlights all the fun things to do during this celebration, including a free tour of the Museum, family-friendly activities, and a concert by the Camp Chase Fifes and Drums. Parking is free and there will be an observance at 3 pm to remember those who died in military service in the United States. Visit https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/event/memorial-day-ceremony-celebration-2/?instance_id=310 to learn more.