Jeremy Harr / Iritziak

Pittsburgh Opera traditionally stages chamber operas in an intimate space at its Strip District headquarters. But due to the pandemic’s crippling effect on live events, the company had to invest in several safety measures to do a live show. Audiences are limited to 50 socially distanced, masked people. Those who leave the auditorium are not allowed to re-enter, and a lengthy COVID-19 questionnaire greets patrons upon arrival. The entire cast wears masks throughout the performance. It doesn’t mar the sound quality of the voices in the small space. The 17-member orchestra, led by music director Antony Walker, plays from an adjacent room with large openings into the makeshift auditorium. The on-stage talent keeps time with the maestro through screens streaming his musical direction. “The singers, apart from the annoyance of having to sing in a mask, are handling it extraordinarily well,” Mr. Hahn said. “Just happy to be making music, as is our orchestra. They were almost all in tears after our first rehearsal because they haven’t been playing anything.” He noted the four groups — staff, performers and stage crew, audience and orchestra — had to remain as separate as possible. Due to the difficulties, Pittsburgh Opera is the only opera company on the East Coast currently doing live indoor performances, Mr. Hahn said. “They are just so thrilled that there’s anything, and these singers are deeply loved by the opera community,” he said. “In a way, this is a special treat. It’s a whole different experience. We made a collective decision to try to show there was a way to stay connected to our audience in as many ways as possible.”