July 29, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Academy of Vocal Arts Celebrates 90th Anniversary Season with Spectacular Lineup
Philadelphia, PA – August 5, 2024 – Philadelphia’s prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) proudly announces its landmark 90th Anniversary Season, promising a year of operatic brilliance and dazzling performances. Established in 1934, AVA has been a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s cultural landscape, nurturing world-class opera talent and captivating audiences with its exceptional productions and concerts.
AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season opens with Charles-François Gounod’s Faust, the classic tale that sees the title character make an unholy pact with the devil, but at what terrible cost? This internationally beloved opera begins captivating audiences at AVA’s Opening Night Celebration on November 16, 2024, at AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater. A suburban performance takes place at The Haverford School’s Centennial Hall on December 3, 2024, offering audiences multiple locations to experience Gounod’s sublime score. This production marks a triumphant return to AVA for esteemed opera conductor Steven White, who conducted last season’s critically applauded Anna Bolena, while stage director Chas Rader-Shieber brings the timeless plot of Faust to life onstage.
Following in February 2025, AVA presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved comedy, Così fan tutte, directed by Jose Maria Condemi and conducted by Robert Kahn, with music direction by AVA’s legendary maestro, Christofer Macatsoris, Jeannine B. Cowles Music Director Chair. Known for its wit and musical brilliance, this opera sees two engaged couples navigate the challenges of trust and desire, with extra mischief added by a meddling philosopher who wants to test the lovers’ fidelity. This Mozart classic enchants audiences with four performances at AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater and runs February 22, 2025, through March 1, 2025.
Closing AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season is Pietro Mascagni’s romantic masterpiece, L’amico Fritz, directed by Jeffrey Buchman, who returns after directing several critically acclaimed AVA productions, including Don Giovanni in 2023 and Il barbiere di Sivigila in 2024. Set amidst vineyards and cherry orchards, this opera transports the audience to rustic farmland steeped in the beauty of nature with its lush melodies and heartfelt storytelling. The production begins April 26, 2025, at AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater, with one suburban performance at The Haverford School’s Centennial Hall on May 6, 2025, and one Bucks County performance date to be announced, ensuring accessibility for opera enthusiasts throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
“We are thrilled to present this extraordinary lineup as we celebrate our 90th Anniversary,” said Scott Guzielek, President and Artistic Director of AVA. “This season’s repertoire, ranging from Gounod’s timeless tragedy to Mozart’s comedic genius, and Mascagni’s lush romance, promises to delight audiences and reaffirm AVA’s commitment to excellence in opera. We also look forward to welcoming back many of our accomplished alumni for our 90th Anniversary Celebration, BrAVA Philadelphia!”
The crown jewel of the upcoming season is the highly anticipated BrAVA Philadelphia! 90th Anniversary Celebration and Gala, taking place March 21, 2025, at the newly christened Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. This magnificent evening centers around enthralling performances by some of the finest of AVA’s alumni, including soprano and 3-time Grammy winner Latonia Moore ‘04, with accompaniment by the acclaimed AVA Opera Orchestra. This quinquennial concert showcases opera’s greatest arias in an unforgettable spectacle of musical splendor and is an evening of celebration that is not to be missed by opera lovers.
In addition to operatic and celebratory highlights, AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season includes a rich array of concerts and recitals guaranteed to enchant fans of beautiful singing. The season’s first recital is the New Artist Recital on September 26, 2024, at Rittenhouse Square’s The Church of the Holy Trinity. This recital welcomes AVA’s incoming class of 10 remarkable Resident Artists and provides an awe-inspiring setting to showcase their talents in a stunning venue known for its acoustic excellence and visual grandeur. Vocal Coach José Meléndez provides musical direction and accompanies AVA’s new Resident Artists on piano.
The excitement continues with the annual Giargiari Bel Canto Competition on October 5, 2024, taking place at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. For over 40 years, this exciting annual singing competition has seen AVA’s Resident Artists vie for significant prizes while performing some of opera’s most beautiful compositions. This interactive event invites audiences to witness an unforgettable evening of vocal fireworks while also voting for their favorite performer for the Audience Choice Award. This much-loved annual competition highlights AVA’s commitment to supporting the next generation of opera singers by fostering healthy competition and motivation for artistic excellence. Master Vocal Coach Danielle Orlando provides musical direction and accompanies the Resident Artists on piano.
Next, the timeless beauty of sacred music is shown in all its glory at the beloved annual Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music, marking its triumphant 25th year with performances on January 25, 2025, at Bryn Mawr’s Church of the Redeemer, and on January 26, 2025, at Rittenhouse Square’s The Church of the Holy Trinity. This concert, conducted by Master Vocal Coach David Antony Lofton, highlights the oratorio skills of AVA’s Resident Artists in solo and ensemble selections, presenting a transcendent musical experience that inspires the soul and elevates the spirit.
The season concludes with the Farewell Recital on May 9, 2025, hosted at The Church of the Holy Trinity in Rittenhouse Square. This special recital honors AVA’s graduating class of Resident Artists as they bid farewell, with each artist carefully curating a selection of pieces that mirror their unique musical journeys, triumphs, and personal nostalgia. This heartfelt event serves as a poignant conclusion to their time at AVA, showcasing their personalities and artistry, while celebrating their growth and achievements in the world of music. Vocal Coach José Meléndez provides musical direction and accompanies.
AVA is the world’s only tuition-free institution solely dedicated to the training of opera soloists. Additionally, AVA independently fosters a deep appreciation for opera in the greater Philadelphia region and consistently attracts devoted audiences to sold-out, in-house productions year after year.
AVA alumni have routinely risen to national prominence, contributing to the vitality of opera across the United States. Their achievements and recurring performances on stages across the country illustrate AVA’s central role in shaping the American operatic landscape. Renowned bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana ‘14, described as “brilliantly comedic” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, has performed three runs of Rossini’s beloved classic, The Barber of Seville, on stages ranging from Pittsburgh Opera and North Carolina Opera to Austin Opera since 2022. Similarly, lauded soprano Ailyn Pérez ’06 counts The Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and Washington Concert Opera among her most recent performance venues over the past year.
Likewise, AVA’s reputation as a premier institution for the study of opera is celebrated and revered on the international stage. Alumni have graced the stages of prestigious opera houses worldwide, from La Scala in Milan to the Royal Opera House in London, showcasing AVA’s global impact on the art form. Internationally acclaimed tenor Michael Fabiano ’09 has performed and received stunning reviews in Europe at the Royal Opera House, Staatsoper Berlin, and Madrid’s Teatro Real, while powerhouse soprano Angela Meade 09’ takes the stage with upcoming engagements in Buenos Aires, Perth, and Salzburg.
Tickets and Subscriptions: Subscriptions and single tickets for AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season are now available to the public for purchase. For more information, please visit AVA’s official website at avaopera.org or call 215-735-1685.
AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season Performance Dates:
New Artist Recital
September 26, 2024, 7:30 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia
Giargiari Bel Canto Competition
October 5, 2024, 7:30 PM
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Faust
November 16, 2024, 5:00 PM (Opening Night Celebration)
AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater
November 19, 21 & 23, 2024, 7:30 PM
AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater
December 3, 2024, 7:30 PM
The Haverford School’s Centennial Hall
Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music
January 25, 2025, 7:30 PM
Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr
January 26, 2025, 7:00 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia
Così fan tutte
February 22, 25, 27 & March 1, 2025, 7:30 PM
AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater
BrAVA Philadelphia! AVA’s 90th Anniversary Celebration and Gala
March 21, 2025, 8:00 PM
Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
L’amico Fritz
April 26, 29 & May 1, 2025, 7:30 PM
AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater
May 6, 2025, 7:30 PM
The Haverford School’s Centennial Hall
Bucks County performance date to be announced.
Farewell Recital
May 9, 2025, 7:30 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia
About Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA): The mission of the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) is to be the world’s premier institution for training young artists to become international opera soloists. Through rigorous instruction and coaching, and by presentations of Resident Artists from around the world in concerts, oratorios, public programs and fully staged professional opera productions, AVA trains artists with the high potential for career success while enriching lives in Philadelphia and beyond. Gifted singers come from throughout the world to seek the exceptional guidance and training that AVA offers. Admission is determined by competitive annual auditions. AVA is distinguished by its reputation for high-quality performances that are acclaimed by critics locally, nationally, and internationally. Each year AVA Resident Artists are presented in four or five fully staged opera productions accompanied by orchestra. Resident Artists are cast in leading roles that they will in all likelihood continue to perform for the rest of their careers. Learn more about AVA at avaopera.org.
Media Contact: Andrew Rohe
Marketing & PR Manager
Email: arohe@avaopera.org
Phone: 215-735-1685
Academy of Vocal Arts
1920 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103