September 10, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Beloved Vocal Competition Returns To Perelman Theater
PHILADELPHIA – Sept. 10, 2025 – The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) proudly presents its annual Giargiari Bel Canto Competition, taking place at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. This popular competition sees AVA’s Resident Artists perform a repertoire of opera’s most famous arias while vying for top awards, including the highly desired Audience Choice Prize.
The Giargiari Bel Canto Competition has been a highlight of AVA’s season for over 45 years, drawing opera enthusiasts and music lovers from near and far. Master Vocal Coach Danielle Orlando, music director and accompanist, explains the philosophy behind the competition, “I always feel like it is a splendid opportunity for our singers to be on stage in a friendly atmosphere and beautiful theater with professional judges and the audience weighing in on their performances. This is the practice outside of the practice room that they need in order to continue their demanding audition schedules outside of AVA on a high musical level. It helps them to evaluate their own performances and choices of repertoire moving forward. A live performance is the key to learning.”
The evening’s winners are selected by three distinguished opera professionals acting as the competition’s judges, awarding First and Second Prize. The audience has the unique opportunity to play an active role by casting their votes for the Audience Choice Prize, adding an extra layer of suspense to an exciting evening. Last year’s competition featured resonant performances by bass Raúl Velazco (2nd year) winning First Place, bass Cumhur Görgün (4th year) winning Second Place, and tenor Luke Norvell ‘25 winning the Audience Choice Prize.
The Giargiari Bel Canto Competition continues with AVA’s 2025-26 Opera Season, and AVA looks forward to seeing who will join the ranks of previous years’ First Place winners, including 2000 winner Latonia Moore ‘04, 2005 winner Stephen Costello ‘07, and 2010 winner Corinne Winters ‘11.
AVA’s Giargiari Bel Canto Competition:
Giargiari Bel Canto Competition
October 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
The Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
300 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19102
Tickets: Tickets for the Giargiari Bel Canto Competition are now available to the public for purchase. For more information, please visit AVA’s official website at avaopera.org. To purchase tickets, call Ensemble Arts at 215-893-1999 or visit the following link:
Giargiari Bel Canto Competition
Subscriptions: Subscriptions to AVA’s 2025-26 Opera Season including the Giargiari Bel Canto Competition are now available to the public for purchase. For more information, please visit AVA’s official website at avaopera.org, call 215-735-1685 or visit the following link:
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 the upcoming 2025-26 Opera 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
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