The Academy of Vocal Arts has named Maestro Joseph Colaneri AVA’s new Jeannine B. Cowles Music Director Chair following the historic, legendary tenure of Music Director Emeritus Maestro Christofer Macatsoris. In his new role, Colaneri will lead AVA’s faculty and music staff, set the tone for the education and training of our Resident Artists, and conduct our productions featuring the {…}
Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts announces its 2026-27 season. The “New Artist Recital” is held. Music Director and pianist José Meléndez accompanies. Performance Date: Sept. 25, 2026 Up next is the “Giargiari Bel Canto Competition.” Music Director and pianist Danielle Orlando joins. Performance Date: Oct. 3, 2026 Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore” is directed by Damon Nestor Ploumis. Steven White conducts. Performance {…}
The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) will present Verdi’s “Falstaff” in five performances this April and May. The production features two rotating casts drawn from AVA’s Resident Artists. On April 18, 23, and May 5, the title role will be sung by Raúl Morales Velazco, with Veronica Richer as Alice Ford, Maiya Williams as Mistress Quickly, Jasmine Ismail as Nannetta, {…}
(Photo credit: AVA) In preparation for the “BrAVA Philadelphia! 90th Anniversary Celebration and Gala,” Scott Guzielek, President and Artistic Director of the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA), talked with OperaWire about the institution’s dedication to the arts for close to a century and its upcoming celebratory events. Guzielek started with the Academy in 2019 as Vice President and General Manager. {…}
The Academy of Vocal Arts has announced its 90th Anniversary Celebration and Gala, “BrAVA Philadelphia!’ to take place March 21. The program features AVA alumni and faculty members who have become luminaries in the opera world, performing at prestigious opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, the Royal Opera House, and many more. Performers include AVA Board Members {…}
The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) has announced the details of its 90th anniversary season. Staring off the 2024-25 season is the New Artist Recital, featuring the 10 resident artists of the incoming class. Performance Date: September 26, 2024 The Giargiari Bel Canto Competition comes next. Danielle Orlando accompanies. Performance Date: October 5, 2024 Steven White returns to AVA to {…}
Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) is set to present Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” this spring, April 27-May 9, 2023 in Center City, the Main Line and Bucks County. The production will close the 2022-23 opera season and will be the first time the school presents the work since 2015. This season the production will feature a special addition, alumnus Griffen {…}
Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts is set to present Gaetano Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale.” The opera, which is set to be presented on February 16-23, 2023, will be staged in mid-60s South Philadelphia. This production will evoke nostalgia for that time, from the golden age of the Italian Market to plastic covers on furniture. AVA’s award-winning Resident Artists will perform in {…}
The AVA stage is set to present Puccini’s “La bohème” from April 28-May 14, 2022. The opera will be performed by award-winning Resident Artists. Throughout AVA’s 87-year history, Puccini’s masterpiece has been presented 10 times, and alumni have gone to perform in “La bohème” around the world, from The Metropolitan Opera to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The cast will {…}
The Academy of Vocal Arts will kick off its new season with a concert of opera favorites. The concert will feature Act three of Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” Act two of Puccini’s “La bohème,” and ensembles from Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” Ambroise Thomas’ “Mignon,” Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow,” Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” and Rossini’s “Il barbiere di Siviglia.” The showcase will be performed by {…}
Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts has announced the return of the Giargiari Bel Canto Competition to the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater on Oct. 15, 2021. AVA Master Vocal Coach Danielle Orlando will accompany the soloists. Orlando has been involved in the competition for 20 years and has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee,” “Live by {…}
