Opening Night for Pittsburgh Opera’s ‘Nabucco’; Evil Spirits at Hundred Acres Manor (Sat.,10/10/15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZU6CbbR2yo

1) Pittsburgh Opera launches its new season with the opera that vaulted Giuseppe Verdi into the foremost ranks of composers. Nabucco (“Nebuchadnezzar”) is based on the ancient story of the conquest of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. The subject matter begs for an opera of epic proportions, which Verdi and librettist Temistocle Solera delivered. The historical saga is overlaid with a tense fictional tale—when the conquering king suffers a bout of madness, a usurper plots to execute the Jewish captives—and it’s all set to powerful music. Nabucco opened in Milan in 1842, drawing thunderous applause and turn-away crowds. “Va, pensiero” (a.k.a the “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves”; see video above from a Royal Opera House production) has become a choral classic. Pittsburgh Opera’s Nabucco has bass-baritone Mark Delavan in the title role. 8 p.m. Through October 18. Benedum Center, 237 7th St., Cultural District. (MV)

I told you not to open that door!
(Photo courtesy of Hundred Acres Manor Haunted Attraction)

2) BEWARE! Hundred Acres Manor has been voted one of America’s best haunted houses by HauntWorld Magazine and Tophaunts.com. Attractions, if you dare: Dead Lift, Brine Slaughterhouse, Vodou, The Maze; Torture Tank, and Damnation. 7 – 11:30 p.m. 1 Hundred Acre Dr., Bethel Park . BOO!

3) Everest – There’s very little I dislike in this world more than cold weather … so the chances of finding me at Everest are slim to none. But if action movies set 29,029 feet above sea level are your thing, you’ll probably love it.

It’s based on the true story of an expedition in 1996 to scale Mount Everest. Two groups ascended the mountain from different sides – unfortunately both got caught in a blizzard resulting in the deaths of eight climbers. More than six books written by participants in the climb have been published and a few movies, TV movies and documentaries have been made concerning the incident.

Writers William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy have combed through all of them, and more, to create a screenplay of that fateful climb in a film directed by Baltasar Kormákur. Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley, Robin Wright, Josh Brolin, Sam Worthington, Jason Clarke and Emily Watson star.

And if you’re looking for me, I’ll be at home under a sun lamp. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

4) The rising Pitt Panthers football team take on the Virginia Cavaliers in Pitt’s homecoming football game. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

Allegheny County Radical Days 2015

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

Frick Art & Historical Center

Free admission 10am-5pm
Explore Clayton, the restored Frick family mansion, by taking free, self-guided tours; enjoyForbidden Fruit: Chris Antemann at Meissen® at The Frick Art Museum; and experience the Frick Visitor Center. FREE family activities, including scavenger hunts, games, and art activities!
7227 Reynolds St. (Point Breeze) TheFrickPittsburgh.org

Fort Pitt Museum

Free admission 10am-5pm
Get to the point of Pittsburgh’s history and experience the dramatic, world-changing events that occurred right here in Western Pennsylvania. Stand side-by-side with life-like museum figures, learn about the colonial era through hundreds of artifacts, and explore Pittsburgh life in the 18th century at the Fort Pitt Museum, located in historic Point State Park.
Point State Park, 601 Commonwealth Pl. (Downtown) www.heinzhistorycenter.org

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Sketch Crawl

Free admission 10am–2pm
A 4-hour drawing marathon! Bring a sketch book, drawing instruments, lunch and a chair. Draw what you see on a journey through some of Downtown’s scenic plazas. Rick Antolic, accomplished artist and illustrator, will be on-hand at each scheduled location to assist with sketches as needed. Registration is required: TrustArts.org/education. All ages – children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet in Agnes R. Katz Plaza, Corner of 7^th St. and Penn Ave. (Downtown) www.TrustArts.org/education

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Ghost Stories

Free admission noon-1pm
Gather the whole family in the Trust Arts Education Center to hear silly and spooky stories that will delight all ages. Bring your PJ’s and a pillow if you’d like. Led by artist Alison Babusci. Registration is required at TrustArts.org/education. For child ages 5+ with an adult
Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue (Downtown) TrustArts.org

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