Just to stop the rumors ... before they start. The able conductor Betsy Burleigh is starting a new job in Boston at Chorus pro Musica, but she isn't leaving her post as music director of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh.
In fact, she thinks trading Cleveland (where she ran and organized choruses for the Cleveland Orchestra for years) for Boston gives her more time for Pittsburgh.
“I am physically further from Pittsburgh, but it is a net gain for the Mendelssohn Choir in time,” she said today. “Now I come to town and stay longer and do more. It is a much more fruitful and relaxed arrangement than before. I feel I have more energy. I have loved my work with the Mendelssoh and the group’s affiliation with the Pittsburgh Symphony.”
Chorus pro Musica is an independent chorus of about 90 members, so it is a nice change-up from the larger Mendelssohn (which also is independent, but the “chorus of choice” for the PSO). CpM has primarily performed opera choruses of late, but Burleigh will introduce more traditional choir repertoire as well as new music.
Good to know Burleigh is staying here – the Mendelssohn Choir has sounded great under her direction.
Posted
Nov 09 2009, 02:42 PM
by
Andrew Druckenbrod