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05/16/2018 08:30 AMFor the final free concert in its 20th season, organizers of the George Flynn Classical Concert Series, which draw talent from around the globe to perform in Clinton organizers, looked a little closer to home. On Sunday, June 10, the Pittsinger family will perform showtunes and songs from the American Songbook.
The Pittsinger family is husband and wife David Pittsinger and Patricia Schuman, both sought-after vocalists on the international musical theater and opera scene—and their children Richard and Maria Pittsinger.
David Pittsinger grew up in Clinton and attended The Morgan School. Elaine Godowsky, the president of the concert series, noted that Pittsinger got his musical start in Clinton under William Gagnon, who was Morgan’s music director for more than two decades.
Since those early days, Pittsinger has performed lead roles in such venues as the Metropolitan Opera House and Lincoln Center. Godowsky called him a “crossover artist” who can perform opera and in musical theater.
In recent years, Schuman has expanded upon her career as a global opera performer, adding roles in Ivoryton Playhouse’s South Pacific and The Fantasticks to her repertoire.
Between the impressive résumé of the family members and the fact that they live locally, the Pitssinger family has gained “quite a few groupies,” Godowsky said.
“That’s the reason I wanted them here for the 20th season,” Godowsky said, noting that the group has performed at the concert series previously and was well received.
This concert will mark the end of the season, which kicked off in July 2017 with a performance by Michael Feinstein. The season also featured performances by The Wallingford Symphony Orchestra, The Yale Whiffenpoofs, and The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.
“The whole season was terrific,” Godowsky said.
Godowsky said the 21st season will start in the summer of 2018.
“At the last show we had to turn people away it was so packed,” Godowsky said.
All the concerts in the series are free, thanks to a trust established by the late Clinton resident George Flynn in 1997.
According to georgeflynnclassicalconcerts.com, “The George S. Flynn Concerts are made possible by a trust fund Mr. Flynn established in his will. It was his great desire to provide classical music concerts for the benefit, education, and pleasure of the inhabitants of the town of Clinton. It is in his honor and to his memory that we dedicate these concerts.”
The George Flynn Classical Concert Series wraps its 20th season on Sunday, June 10 with a performance by the Pittsinger family at 4 p.m. at The Morgan School,71 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Attendees must reserve tickets by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: George Flynn Classical Concerts, P.O. Box 473, Clinton, CT 06413, or calling 860-669-1208. Those who reserve tickets and find they cannot make the show are asked to call ahead so that those tickets can be made available to people who can attend.