County native named Pittsburgh Festival Opera's artistic director
A Butler County native has been hired as the new artistic director of the Pittsburgh Festival Opera.
Knoch High School graduate Marianne Cornetti, who has been performing in opera houses around the world for 30 years, was hired recently.
Cornetti's work will focus on long-term artistic planning, artistic leadership for the season, board development, fundraising, and collaborating with Executive Director Christopher Powell — who joined the company earlier this year — to plan and steward the mission and vision of the company.
Cornetti and Powell offer nearly 60 combined years of national and international performance and opera administrative experience.
“Pittsburgh Festival Opera is thrilled to welcome the world-renowned mezzo soprano Marianne Cornetti as its new artistic director,” said Eugene Myers, president of the opera's board of directors.
He said Cornetti is “excited to be back home surrounded by her family and her devoted fans. She is following in the footsteps of two famous opera stars, Mildred Miller Posvar and Beverly Sills, who transitioned from full-time singing careers to opera company leadership roles. We can already feel her energy, experience and imagination that will enhance the image of Pittsburgh Festival Opera as one of the leading opera companies in the U.S.”
Pittsburgh Festival Opera's upcoming season runs July 10 through 26 at several venues throughout Pittsburgh.
