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Monday, 02 August 2010 10:17

Written by Andrew Druckenbrod

OK, I was getting set to write yet again about the amazing Vivica Genaux, the mezzo-soprano  who seems to never make a wrong step in her career, one that has taken her from Rossini to Farinelli. Her latest success, the CD, "Pyrotechnics" on Virgin Classics, takes on virtuosic Vivaldi with Europa Galante. It just was granted an Echo Klassik prize for “Opera Recording: Opera Arias."

Good for her. She definitely deserves it. She's an amazing talent and it is an outstanding album. But...

...then I thought, why is it that I follow her so closely? Of course it is because she is one of the biggest stars in the opera firmament and has connections to Pittsburgh, having lived in Pittsburgh to study with her teacher Claudia Pinza. But if I keep up with someone who was here for only a few years (Genaux is originally from Fairbanks, Alaska)., I should have a better idea about what local Pittsburghers are doing abroad, too.

But I need your help. It is not always as obvious as the Phillips family, whose famous group the Orion String Quartet comes to town from time to time. Most of the time it is happenstance that I find out about people. For instance, I found out about violinist Aaron Boyd doing an obitiuary and soprano Jennifer O'Loughlin, from Sewickley, when I was in Vienna in May (she sings to accolades at the Vienna Volksoper).

So here is a shout out to you to feed me with names of Pittsburghers enjoying success in music abroad. Please send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or add as a comment, or both. I will blog 'em up as I get them.

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