FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Academy of Vocal Arts Presents Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music
Philadelphia, 2/23/2024 – The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) is thrilled to announce the upcoming choral event, Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music, featuring AVA’s captivating Resident Artists and world-class orchestra. This awe-inspiring concert, now a tradition in its 24th year, promises an enthralling journey through the rich tapestry of sacred music, showcasing beautiful selections from master composers of vocal repertoire including Mozart, Rossini, Verdi and more. This concert takes place on March 16th at Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr and on March 17th at The Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia.
Renowned AVA Master Vocal Coach, David Antony Lofton, will take the conductor’s baton, leading the ensemble in two powerful performances that span the diverse landscape of sacred music across time. The program, meticulously crafted by Lofton, is a tapestry of sonic beauty that spans diverse styles, from the intricate harmonies of the Baroque era to the soaring emotional heights of classical repertoire, and beyond to evocative recent compositions of the 20th century.
Lofton shares insight into his method, stating, “This concert is multifaceted. I select pieces that highlight particular skills of the singers while creating a program that covers different styles. We have gone from baroque to contemporary sacred music, and that’s the wonderful thing – these singers have a great ability to sing so many different styles.”
Mezzo-soprano and AVA 2nd Year Resident Artist, Jenny Anne Flory, expresses her excitement about the upcoming performances, sharing, “I’m really excited to participate in my second Jubilate, in two beautiful church venues. I love working and collaborating on music with David Lofton, and being able to learn Handel’s baroque music for this particular evening makes me think back to when I was in undergrad learning about classical music and appreciating it for the first time.”
Attendees will find themselves immersed in a sumptuous musical experience, as the resonant harmonies and beautiful melodies fill both acoustically rich venues. The performances promise not only a celebration of the rich cultural and artistic heritage of sacred music but also an exploration of the profound emotions and human experiences that these compositions encapsulate.
Join AVA for an unforgettable evening of musical brilliance as we come together to celebrate the artistry, talent, and dedication of AVA’s Resident Artists and orchestra. Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music is a soul-stirring experience that will leave the audience enchanted and inspired.
Tickets are $45, $25 for Young Professionals (45 and under), $10 for students (available via phone or in person only). Seating is general admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance at avaopera.org and via telephone at (215) 735-1685.
About the Academy of Vocal Arts
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.
Academy of Vocal Arts: Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music
Performance Dates:
March 16, 2024, 7:30PM
Church of the Redeemer
230 Pennswood Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
March 17, 2024, 7:00PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity
1904 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
David Anthony Lofton, Music Director & Conductor
Performance Selections
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
“Laudamus te” from Great Mass in C minor, K. 427
Monique Galvão, mezzo-soprano
George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759)
“Hence, Iris, Hence Away” from Semele, HWV 58
Jenny Anne Flory, mezzo-soprano
Théodore Dubois (1837 – 1924)
“Deus meus” from Les Sept Paroles du Christ
Geoffrey Schmelzer, baritone
Vincenzo Bellini (1801 – 1835)
“Angiol di pace” from Beatrice di Tenda
Manli Deng, soprano | Jenny Anne Flory, mezzo-soprano | Joshua Berg, tenor
Gioachino Rossini (1792 – 1868)
“Quoniam” from Petite messe solennelle
Cumhur Görgün, bass
Gioachino Rossini
“Laudamus te” from Messa di Gloria
Ethel Trujillo, soprano
Antonín Leopold Dvořák (1841 – 1904)
“Inflammatus et accensus” from Stabat Mater
Alla Yarosh, mezzo-soprano
Antonín Leopold Dvořák
“Quis est homo” from Stabat Mater
Veronica Richer, soprano | Ariana Maubach, mezzo-soprano |Luke Norvell, tenor | Nan Wang, bass-baritone
Gioachino Rossini
“Sancta Mater” from Stabat Mater
Ethel Trujillo, soprano | Alla Yarosh, mezzo-soprano | Angel Raii Gomez, tenor | Dylan Gregg, bass-baritone
INTERMISSION
Georges Bizet (1838 – 1875)
“Agnus Dei” from L’Arlésienne
Matthew Goodheart, tenor
Giacomo Puccini (1858 – 1924)
“Crucifixus” from Messa di Gloria
Dylan Gregg, bass-baritone
Giacomo Puccini
“Gratias animus tibi” from Messa di Gloria
Angel Raii Gomez, tenor
Giuseppe Verdi (1813 – 1901)
“Ave Maria” from Otello
Lydia Grindatto, soprano
Giuseppe Verdi
“Ingemisco” from Messa da Requiem
Luke Norvell, tenor
Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883)
“Almächt’ger Vater” from Rienzi, WWV 49
Shawn Roth, tenor
David T. Clydesdale (1954)
“How Great Thou Art/Amazing Grace” (orch. Lofton)
Manli Deng, soprano
David Antony Lofton
“He Never Said A Mumblin’ Word/Calvary”
Kevin Godínez, baritone
John Daniel Carter (1932 – 1981)
Cantata
1. Prelude
2. Rondo: Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells!
3. Recitative: Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
4. Air: Let Us Break Bread Together
5. Toccata: Ride On, King Jesus
Emily Margevich, soprano
George Frideric Handel
Zadok the Priest, HWV 258
Tutti
Photos available upon request.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Rohe
Marketing & PR Manager
(215) 735-1685 x30