The Heinz History Center will host “A Night at the Opera: Ezio Pinza, Claudia Pinza Bozzolla, and the Pittsburgh Connection” on Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m. Image: Ezio Pinza and Claudia Pinza Bozzolla in Faust.

The Senator John Heinz History Center – the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh – and its Italian American Program will host “A Night at the Opera: Ezio Pinza, Claudia Pinza Bozzolla, and the Pittsburgh Connection” on Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m.

Visitors can discover the history of the Pinza family’s tremendous artistic impact on the field of opera in Pittsburgh from guest speaker and Pinza’s grandson Samuele Bozzolla.

The panel will discuss the story of Italian-born opera singer Ezio Pinza, who came to the United States in the 1920s to perform on Broadway, and his daughter, Argentine-born opera singer Claudia Pinza Bozzolla. Visitors will learn how the Bozzolla family came to Pittsburgh to seek medical assistance for their son, about Claudia’s influence as a voice teacher at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University, and her impact on opera in the region, which included bringing Pavarotti to perform in Pittsburgh three times.

Bozzolla will be joined by guest panelists Kevin Glavin, Anna Singer, and Ulises Espaillat, opera singers who will comment on the Pinza family’s artistic legacy in Pittsburgh.

The program will include brief acapella performance by one of the panelists and opera music will be played throughout the evening.

Tickets are $15 for the public, $10 for members, and $5 for students with valid ID. Please register in advance online.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit heinzhistorycenter.org/events.