PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OPENS 124TH YEAR WITH GALA EVENING: A NIGHT IN BLACK AND WHITE
Superstar pianist Lang Lang returns to Pittsburgh for a magical evening
Popular annual event brings together arts patrons and artists for a sensational concert, dinner and drinks, silent auctions and more.
For Immediate Release
September 5, 2019
PITTSBURGH, PA—Glamour will meet classical at Heinz Hall on September 14th when the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Gala celebration A Night in Black and White kicks off the venerable organization’s 124th year. The not-to-be-missed annual event pairs festive black-tie parties with spectacular music, typically raising more than $1 million to benefit the symphony’s extensive Learning & Community Engagement initiatives, and to help assure the orchestra’s continued artistic excellence. This year’s Gala is chaired by Vivian and Bill Benter, with Honorary Chairs María and André Heinz, and Honorary Chairs Ginny and Dick Simmons; the Soirée is chaired by Alexander and Harris Heit, with Honorary Chairs Casey and Jon Pratkanis. All are long-time supporters of the symphony.
The black-tie evening opens with a fashionable cocktail party under the tent in the Heinz Hall Garden Plaza, then moves into the hall for an unforgettable concert where Music Director Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will be joined by superstar pianist Lang Lang (recently called “the hottest artist on the classical music planet” by the New York Times) for a musical exploration of the nuances and intrigue of the program, A Night in Black and White. After the concert, guests will continue on to either the Gala Dinner at Heinz Hall or the Soirée at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, where festivities include dining, dancing, live music and a silent auction.
“We’re throwing the best party of the year to celebrate the exhilarating partnership between Manfred Honeck and the Orchestra, and the power of music to deeply impact our community. Our heartfelt thank you to all who support the symphony – you make it possible to bring great music in every life,” said Melia Tourangeau, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
About the Event
The Gala is the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s most important fundraising event, typically attracting guests from all across the Pittsburgh region and beyond, and regularly raising over $1 million. Gala proceeds support the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s extensive learning and community engagement programs, including the Fiddlesticks Family Concerts, the EQT Student Side-by-Side program, Schooltime Concert series, Coach and Play program, its neighborhood partnerships with the Hill District and Wilkinsburg School District, the community collaboration PSO @ City of Asylum, and its Sensory Friendly programming.
This one-night-only black-tie evening commences at 5:30PM with a cocktail reception in the Heinz Hall Garden Plaza, followed by the evening’s concert, focused on the theme A Night in Black and White. Following the concert, attendees will choose how to experience their own version of A Night in Black and White.
- Gala guests will join Music Director Manfred Honeck to enjoy a seated dinner throughout Heinz Hall catered by the Duquesne Club, concluding with a dessert reception and music in the Heinz Hall Garden Plaza
- Soirée guests will head to the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel for a celebration with food-stations, an open bar, live music and dancing.
- Both sites will feature a silent auction, which includes a wine tasting and tour of the Napa Valley; a suit from one of London’s premier fashion houses that inspired the filming of the 2014 Hollywood blockbuster, Kingsman: The Secret Service; and a variety of other packages.
- Tickets and Sponsorships: Gala sponsorships range from $3,500 to $50,000, with Soirée sponsorships ranging from $2,000 to $15,000. Individual ticket packages for the Gala start at $750 and individual Soirée ticket packages begin at $250. Individual concert tickets are available now and can be purchased online or at the door on the evening of the concert. For more information about sponsorships, please contact Dawn McWilliams, Director of Events, at dmc@pittsburghsymphony.org or 412-392-4830 or Bryan Abbott, Manager of Events, at babbott@pittsburghsymphony.org or 412-392-6070.
About the Program
Superstar pianist Lang Lang returns to Pittsburgh in full force for the season’s Gala night. It’s a magical celebration featuring one of Mozart’s masterpieces, along with brilliant orchestral showpieces of great range and contrast.
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Lang Lang, piano
Anna Clyne: Masquerade
Jacques Offenbach (J.G. Busch): Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld
Franz Schmidt: “Intermezzo” from Notre Dame
Franz von Suppé: Overture to Poet and Peasant
Carl Nielsen: Overture to Maskarade
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerto No. 24 in C minor for Piano and Orchestra, K. 491
About the Artists
About the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra →
Media Contacts
Julie Goetz | Director of Communications
jgoetz@pittsburghsymphony.org | 412.392.4866