For the last four years, thirteen year-old Richard Pittsinger has attended Saint Thomas Choir School, the only church related boarding choir school in the United States, and one of only a few choir schools remaining in the world.  He is the son of opera singers, David Pittsinger and Patricia Schuman, and has a twin sister, Maria.

 

In 2010, Richard made his operatic debut as El Trujamán in Manuel De Falla’s opera El Retablo de Maese Pedro at Lorin Maazel’s Castleton Festival in Virginia.  In addition, Richard was the featured soloist in the Chichester Psalms for the Bernstein Festival in New York with Judith Clurman.  Also that year, Richard recorded the solo heard in John Gromada’s incidental music for the Broadway show, Next Fall, which was released on the Nyack label.  In 2011, he recorded the soprano solo in Fauré’s Requiem under the direction of John Scott and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, opposite his father, David Pittsinger. That summer, Richard appeared at the Glimmerglass Festival as Little Jake, opposite Debra Voigt, in Annie Get your Gun.  In the fall, he was the featured soloist in “Anatomy of Peace” by Marvin Hamlish for the composer’s gala in New York.  Recently, he appeared as Soprano I soloist in the world premiere “Ode to Peace” the Dresdner Requiem composed by Lera Auerbach, performed at the Frauenkirche and Semperoper in Dresden, Germany.  Immediately following those performances, he sang Scott Eyerly’s world premiere Arlington Sons with his father David Pittsinger, who commissioned the work.  They will repeat the orchestrated world premiere with the Pittsburgh Symphony, led by Leonard Slatkin the fall of 2012. 

In October 2012, Richard will perform and record the soprano solo in Brahms’ Requiem under the direction of John Scott, with the St Thomas Men and Boys Choir and St Luke’s Orchestra.  In both 2011 and 2012, Richard received the esteemed Donald S Candlyn Award for outstanding solo work, from St Thomas Choir School.  He has also recently received the voice ABRSM level 5 with distinction, and piano ABRSM level 3 with merit.