September 17, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AVA Celebrates 45 Years of Annual Vocal Competition
PHILADELPHIA – Sept. 5, 2024 – The Academy of Vocal (AVA) proudly presents the 45th annual Giargiari Bel Canto Competition, taking place at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. This popular event sees AVA’s Resident Artists perform a selection of opera’s most beautiful arias while competing for top prizes, including the highly desired Audience Choice Award.
The Giargiari Bel Canto Competition has been a highlight of AVA’s season, drawing opera enthusiasts and music lovers from near and far. “It seems significant that we celebrate the 45th Giargiari Competition against the backdrop of AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season,” remarks Master Vocal Coach Danielle Orlando, the competition’s music director and accompanist. “It is a halfway point in AVA’s historic legacy, and it’s an incredible opportunity for our Resident Artists to practice their craft in front of our dedicated audience. Last year we selected two arias per singer, and it was so popular for both the singers and the audience that we are happily repeating the same format this year.”
Winners are selected by three opera professionals serving as the competition’s judges, awarding First and Second Prize. The audience will have the unique opportunity to play an active role in the event by casting their votes for the Audience Choice Award, adding an extra layer of excitement to a consistently thrilling evening. Last year’s competition featured remarkable performances by tenor Angel Raii Gomez (4th year), winning both First Place and Audience Choice awards, tenor Luke Norvell (4th year), winning Second Place, and soprano Ethel Trujillo ‘24, winning Third Place.
The Giargiari tradition continues with AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season, and AVA looks forward to seeing who will join the ranks of previous years’ 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 5, 2024, 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 Ticket Philadelphia at 215-893-1999 or visit the following link:
Giargiari Bel Canto Competition
Subscriptions: Subscriptions to AVA’s 90th Anniversary 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 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
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