Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton hosts gala concert to spread word of its charms

NEW BRIGHTON ― One of Beaver County's historic and cultural gems merits more attention from Allegheny County folks.

That's the belief of organizers planning a special concert and gala May 25 at the Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton.

Anna Singer, an internationally accomplished opera singer and afternoon on-air host for Pittsburgh classical music station WQED-FM (89.3), will perform on the outdoor patio of the Merrick, accompanied by a pianist-tenor vocalist and a string quartet.

"We'll be doing everything from Broadway to standards to opera; you'll know every tune, even if it's just from a Pizza Hut commercial, or the soundtrack to 'Fatal Attraction,'" Singer said.

Attendees will dine on a buffet meal catered by the Wooden Angel in Bridgewater.

More: 5 romantic restaurants to consider in the Beaver Valley

When it's showtime, the audience will sit on chairs spread out on the Merrick's lush lawn, near a fenced-off opening to the underground tunnel discovered below the Merrick last year that's believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The Merrick launched a GoFundMe project to raise money to further explore and preserve the tunnel, hoping to make the New Brighton site more of a tourist attraction/destination, in conjunction with the Merrick's art gallery that showcases centuries-old paintings, and a piano once played by famed Pittsburgh composer Stephen Foster.

"My goal is getting the Merrick on Pittsburgh's regional radar of historic, cultural sites and as a venue for events," Rick Granati, local events planner and rocker who conceived the idea for this show while doing a commercial painting project inside the 1100 Fifth Ave., gallery.

He's got a formal name for this special night: An Aesthete Affair − Where The Elite Meet, Greet & Eat.

A limited number of tickets will be available by calling the Merrick Art Gallery at 724-846-1130 to reserve your place.

"An envelope with a generous donation will be an investment in an unforgettable evening of entertainment and culinary delights by the Wooden Angel along with beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages," organizers say.

For questions, people also can send an email to director@merrickartgallery.org or stop in the gallery for reservations and more information.

Granati arranged sponsorship from WQED-FM, which he calls "the premier voice of the Pittsburgh Symphony and just about everything cultural in our region. It's the perfect place to advertise the event and the astounding resource of Anna Singer, an incredible artist. who passionately wants to support the gallery."

Singer has performed at opera houses in Europe and the United States, displaying her vocal and dramatic talents in the lead roles of "Madame Butterfly," "Tosca," "Aida," "Salome," "Die Walkure," "Susanna" and others. She had been based in New York before returning home to Pittsburgh in the 1990s to tend to her mother. More than 20 years ago, she joined the staff of classical music station, WQED-FM, as an on-air host and music programmer.

Also an accomplished painter, Singer will display some of her artworks during the gala at the Merrick, where the galleries permanently showcase a collection of French, German, English, and American paintings dating as far back as the 18th century, and featuring examples of Romantic-, Realistic-, and Impressionistic-era art.

Supportive of contemporary and emerging artists, The Merrick also regularly exhibits shows including an annual one featuring high school artists, as well as the Beaver Valley Artists association's annual juried exhibition.

First visiting the Merrick around Christmastime 2022 at Granati's request, Singer felt an immediate connection to the artworks there, inspiring her to create a few paintings of her own.

Singer, of Pittsburgh's Mount Washington neighborhood, also took interest in the sizable doll house display at the Merrick and the overall history of the brick structure, built around 1850 as a passenger station for the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, though vacated by 1880 when purchased by New Brighton industrialist Edward Dempster Merrick.

"What an amazing place," Singer said. "I grew up in Pittsburgh and had no idea right around the corner was such an incredible gallery that's free to the public."

Merrick (1832-1911), founder of the namesake art gallery and museum, designated in his will that the site was to remain free and open to the public.

Though looking to give the Merrick a needed revenue boost, the special gala event will be a ticketed affair.

Attendees will experience "where historical classic art and historical classic music merge to celebrate the philanthropic Merrick family and their incredible, historic Merrick Free Art Gallery," Granati said. "We're seeking all regional cultural elite to join us in the celebration."

Setting the concert outdoors, in late spring, will imbue a casual element to an elegant event, Singer said.

"Maybe a little kid will want to get up and dance. There'll be more of a sense of freedom," she said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Merrick Art Gallery hosts concert with Pittsburgh Symphony members