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Opening Event for Impressionism in a New Light: From Monet to Stieglitz
Saturday, May 12
Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland

5:00–6:15PM: exhibition open for ticketed Carnegie Museum members and PSO subscribers only at Carnegie Museum of Art
6:30–7:30PM: panel discussion and musical performance at Carnegie Music Hall
7:30–9:30PM: exhibition open, refreshments, cash bar

“Works of art make rules but rules do not make works of art.” This comment by renowned Impressionist composer Claude Debussy sets the stage for an unparalleled evening of art, music, and conversation. In Debussy’s day, it was the French Impressionists and Pictorialist photographers who, while widely admired and accepted today, were the quintessential rule-breakers from the 1870s and 80s through to the early years of the 20th century. Their atmospheric paintings and photographs were avant-garde responses to the generally perceived rules of traditional painting and to technological advancements in the world of photography. A lively bohemian culture fostered an environment in which a free exchange of ideas resulted in thought-provoking and revolutionary visual and performing arts.

Celebrate the opening of Carnegie Museum of Art’s exhibition Impressionism in a New Light: From Monet to Stieglitz and the Pittsburgh Symphony’s Paris Festival: The City of Light at an evening of conversation and music highlighting the experimental and radical aspects of Impressionism and its surrounding culture.  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra music director Manfred Honeck and concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley, will join Carnegie Museum of Art curators Amanda Zehnder and Linda Benedict-Jones, along with moderator Mary Davis, professor of musicology, Case Western Reserve University, to explore the parallels of Impressionist art and music during this era of rebellion and innovation. The event culminates with Debussy’s Danse sacrée et danse profane (Dances for Harp and Strings) performed by PSO musicians— Gretchen Van Hoesen, harp, Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin, Shanshan Yao, violin, MengWang, viola, David Premo, cello and Aaron White, bass.  Following the performance, enjoy an hors d’oeuvres reception and exhibition preview. Galleries remain open until 9:30PM.

Impressionism in a New Light: From Monet to Stieglitz is presented by EQT Corporation, with additional major support provided by the William Talbott Hillman Foundation, DQE Communications, and Duquesne Light Energy. Support was also provided by Fort Pitt Capital Group, Aetna, Baierl Acura, Macy's, and Champagne Perrier-Jouët.

Tickets:
$10 for Carnegie Museum members and PSO subscribers
$20 for nonmembers
Free for students with valid I.D.

Advance registration required. To register, click here or call 412.622.3288.