National Opera House Fundraising Recital

5105 Fifth Avenue,Pittsburgh PA 15232

11 May, 2023

Description

Join us at The Mansions on Fifth for a night of classical music, delicious Hors d' Oeuvres, tasty drinks and the heartfelt warmth of helping with a worthwhile cause. This evening is being coordinated by Amelia Reines, currently a senior at The Ellis School; she is a very talented classical singer who will pursue Voice Performance in college and has been invited to audition for admission to Oberlin Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory and Juilliard, among others. As Amelia began her senior year at the Ellis School, she was tasked with creating a senior project that would use her interests to create something beneficial to the community. Amelia knew immediately that her project would include her passion for Classical singing. As a young Black woman embarking on her studies in Classical Voice Performance, Amelia was aware of the history of the National Opera House here in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood. The National Opera House is the home of the National Negro Opera Company, founded by Madame Mary Cardwell Dawson in 1941. The house served the NNOC until Madame Cardwell’s death in 1962. The mansion on Apple Street was designated a National Historic Landmark and is currently under a major restoration project to turn the house into a museum and performance space. Amelia has been intrigued by the history of Madame Dawson and the National Opera House for quite a while. MCD’s legacy is both impressive and groundbreaking. Although she was trained at one of the finest conservatories, the New England Conservatory of Music, she was excluded from American opera companies because of her race. There was no seat for her at the table. So, she decided to build her own table: the National Negro Opera Company. Madame Dawson‘s efforts would go on to benefit over 10,000 musicians and performers. In recognition and celebration of Mary Cardwell Dawson’s legacy and Amelia’s passion for Classical singing it was a natural marriage that her senior project would be a recital– with the proceeds going towards the restoration of this very important landmark in our community. Amelia hopes that you will enjoy this evening of art song, choral music, lieder, and opera. Thank you! If you would like to learn more, visit the National Opera House’s website: https://nationaloperahouse.org The Pittsburgh Opera’s 2023-24 season includes The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson. (April 27th through May 5th 2024) A cash bar will be available throughout the event (cards also accepted) and a sampling of passed hors d 'oeuvres is included with the ticket price. Please take some time out of your busy schedule to come out in support of this wonderful event.