LA Opera has announced the 2025 recipients of the Eva and Marc Stern Artist Award.

This year’s winners were tenor Anthony León and soprano Erica Petrocelli, two singers who are distinguished alumni of the company’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program and both are performing leading roles in the company’s current production of Mozart’s “Così fan tutte.”

The Stern Artist Award was established in 2021 by Eva and Marc Stern, two of the greatest champions and most dedicated supporters in the history of LA Opera. This year’s award recipients will receive $25,000 each.

In a statement, Marc Stern said, “One of the things that Eva and I have treasured most in our involvement with LA Opera has been building personal relationships with many of the artists who have created magic on our stage. And we’ve learned just how expensive it is to have a career in opera, even for well established performers. The cost involved in coaching new roles, language studies and travel—to name just a few—never goes away, and it makes us feel good to give something back to extraordinary performers with strong ties to the opera company we love. Anthony and Erica have made deep impressions on our audiences with their uncommon musicality, outstanding depth and sensitivity and remarkably beautiful voices. We are proud to honor these beloved members of the LA Opera family who have touched our hearts with their artistry and who now represent the company with distinction as they continue building successful careers.”

In a statement he said, “My first opera experience was at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion when I was around four years old. When I decided to become an opera singer, LA Opera was the beacon of inspiration that propelled me forward. Now, I consider it to be my artistic home and I feel like I’m working with friends and family when I am here. I am deeply grateful to Eva and Marc Stern for their efforts to change the world through philanthropy. Their belief in artists and the power of opera pushes the art form forward and encourages artists to be their best.”

Petrocelli added, “”I cannot describe what an unbelievable honor this is. This company has been my home, and I am so grateful to the Sterns and to everyone here for their constant belief in me and their support of my career. Every single thing I’ve done here has been so special and it’s wonderful to come back home to do what I love. To Marc and Eva, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. It means so much to us as artists to have your support.”

León joined LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program in the 2022-23 season. He is a winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and the Operalia Competition.

Meanwhile, Petrocelli was a member of LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program from 2018 to 2020 and was a 2021 grand finalist in the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition and a winner of the Sullivan Foundation Award.

Read Related Stories 

•  Anthony Roth Costanzo, Anthony Léon, Nadine Sierra & Elena Villalón Added Richard Tucker Gala Lineup