The Damnation of Faust

“See you in hell.” Most orchestras would shy away from marketing materials equating two and a half hours of symphonic music with torture. Not Pittsburgh Symphony! It has been broadening its scope in recent years, with edgier shows that attract less traditional audiences. In this case, hell refers to Hector Berlioz’s “The Damnation of Faust,” an epic tale of depression, love, and murder. The rarely-staged performance combines the dramatic score with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and a cast of soloists, conducted by Manfred Honeck. The only torture involved will be you kicking yourself if you miss this show.