October 10, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AVA Opens 90th Season with World-Famous Opera
PHILADELPHIA – Oct. 10, 2024 – The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) proudly presents Charles-François Gounod’s Faust, opening November 16, 2024, and running through December 3, 2024. Steven White returns to conduct, stage director Chas Rader-Shieber, and scenic designer Cameron Anderson, make their AVA debuts.
Faust, written by French composer Charles-François Gounod (1818-1893) with libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, premiered at Paris’ Théâtre Lyrique in 1859 to critical acclaim. Based on the real 16th century German philosopher and magician, Johann Georg Faust, who, according to legend, sold his soul to the devil in return for boundless knowledge and earthly pleasure, Faust is currently the world’s most-performed opera of all time. This legend has served as the inspiration for a trove of retellings in film, literature, music and television, including Goethe’s synonymous poetic masterpiece, the hit Broadway musical Damn Yankees and even Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Gounod’s Faust tells the story of the titular aging philosopher, who makes a pact with the devil to regain his youth and vitality. Transformed into a dashing young man, Faust’s newfound vigor leads him to fall in love with the enchanting Marguerite. However, lurking in the shadows is the devil, Mephistophélès, who has his own sinister plans for the two lovers.
“Gounod’s Faust is everything an opera should be,” explains conductor Steven White, who returns to AVA for Faust after last season’s production of Donizetti’s Anna Bolena. “Known as ‘the composer of love,’ Gounod brings unparalleled depth and beauty in his portrayal of human passion. At times the music is overwhelmingly ecstatic, at times it is brooding and mysterious. An iconic work of great tradition and sentiment, Faust is uniquely suited to showcase AVA’s unmatched commitment to nurturing the great operatic singers of tomorrow.”
Veteran stage director Chas Rader-Shieber, currently serving as Artistic Partner at Des Moines Metro Opera, and scenic designer Cameron Anderson, who has earned notoriety across the country with her striking sets, both make their AVA debut with this production. Remarking in a joint statement, Rader-Shieber and Anderson agree, “This version of Faust takes advantage of the intimacy of AVA’s theater to reimagine the events that spring from the desperate mind of an aging philosopher – concentrating on the emotional journey of the characters. We’re excited to offer a production that honors Gounod’s astonishing score, while creating something special and new for the AVA audience.”
Faust Performance Dates:
November 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Opening Night Gala
AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater
1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
November 19, 21 & 23, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
AVA’s Helen Corning Warden Theater
1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
December 3, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
The Haverford School’s Centennial Hall
450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041
Tickets: Tickets for Faust and 90th Anniversary Season Subscriptions are now available to the public for purchase. For more information, please visit AVA’s official website at avaopera.org. To purchase tickets, call 215-735-1685 or visit the following links:
Charles-François Gounod’s Faust
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.
More information about AVA, its programs, and AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season performances can be found online at avaopera.org or by calling (215) 735-1685.
Contact:
Andrew Rohe
Marketing & PR Manager
Academy of Vocal Arts
1920 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103}
Phone: (215) 735-1685
Email: arohe@avaopera.org
###