Jackie Evancho to Perform With Pittsburgh Opera

Jackie Evancho is seeing another dream come true.
The little girl from Richland who wowed the world last summer as she sang opera on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” will perform with the Pittsburgh Opera.Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn announced the company will present the 11-year-old singing sensation in concert at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Benedum Center as part of a festive weekend that begins with Pittsburgh Opera’s season-opening performance of Verdi’s “La Traviata” on Oct. 15.“I am so excited to be singing with Pittsburgh Opera," said Evancho, a Richland Township resident. "I've always dreamed of singing with a real opera company, right here at home, and now that dream is coming true."The performance will be Evancho’s first live concert in the region as part of her "Dream with Me" tour to promote her new CD, which will be released June 14.Evancho’s renditions of “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “O Mio Babbino Caro,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Nessun dorma” and other songs will headline the concert.The performance also will include opera selections such as the “Triumphal March” from "Aida," the “Anvil Chorus” from "Il Trovatore," and “Va Pensiero” from "Nabucco," featuring Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists, with a full orchestra and chorus conducted by Pittsburgh Opera Music Director Antony Walker.
Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn called Evancho's singing “lovely, and sweetly compelling.”“It is quite unusual to hear a young girl with that level of warmth and roundness,” he said. “We’re looking forward to welcoming a sold-out crowd, cheering for Jackie in her debut with us.”