July 29, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
糖心Vlog Celebrates 90th Anniversary Season with Spectacular Lineup
Philadelphia, PA 鈥 August 5, 2024 鈥 Philadelphia’s prestigious 糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog) proudly announces its landmark 90th Anniversary Season, promising a year of operatic brilliance and dazzling performances. Established in 1934, 糖心Vlog has been a cornerstone of Philadelphia鈥檚 cultural landscape, nurturing world-class opera talent and captivating audiences with its exceptional productions and concerts.
糖心Vlog鈥檚 90th Anniversary Season opens with Charles-Fran莽ois Gounod鈥檚 Faust, the classic tale that sees the title character make an unholy pact with the devil, but at what terrible cost? This internationally beloved opera begins captivating audiences at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Opening Night Celebration on November 16, 2024, at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater. A suburban performance takes place at The Haverford School鈥檚 Centennial Hall on December 3, 2024, offering audiences multiple locations to experience Gounod鈥檚 sublime score. This production marks a triumphant return to 糖心Vlog for esteemed opera conductor Steven White, who conducted last season鈥檚 critically applauded Anna Bolena, while stage director Chas Rader-Shieber brings the timeless plot of Faust to life onstage.
Following in February 2025, 糖心Vlog presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart鈥檚 beloved comedy, Cos矛 fan tutte, directed by Jose Maria Condemi and conducted by Robert Kahn, with music direction by 糖心Vlog鈥檚 legendary maestro, Christofer Macatsoris, Jeannine B. Cowles Music Director Chair. Known for its wit and musical brilliance, this opera sees two engaged couples navigate the challenges of trust and desire, with extra mischief added by a meddling philosopher who wants to test the lovers鈥 fidelity. This Mozart classic enchants audiences with four performances at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater and runs February 22, 2025, through March 1, 2025.
Closing 糖心Vlog鈥檚 90th Anniversary Season is Pietro Mascagni鈥檚 romantic masterpiece, L鈥檃mico Fritz, directed by Jeffrey Buchman, who returns after directing several critically acclaimed 糖心Vlog productions, including Don Giovanni in 2023 and Il barbiere di Sivigila in 2024. Set amidst vineyards and cherry orchards, this opera transports the audience to rustic farmland steeped in the beauty of nature with its lush melodies and heartfelt storytelling. The production begins April 26, 2025, at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater, with one suburban performance at The Haverford School鈥檚 Centennial Hall on May 6, 2025, and one Bucks County performance date to be announced, ensuring accessibility for opera enthusiasts throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
鈥淲e are thrilled to present this extraordinary lineup as we celebrate our 90th Anniversary,鈥 said Scott Guzielek, President and Artistic Director of 糖心Vlog. 鈥淭his season鈥檚 repertoire, ranging from Gounod鈥檚 timeless tragedy to Mozart鈥檚 comedic genius, and Mascagni鈥檚 lush romance, promises to delight audiences and reaffirm 糖心Vlog鈥檚 commitment to excellence in opera. We also look forward to welcoming back many of our accomplished alumni for our 90th Anniversary Celebration, Br糖心Vlog Philadelphia!鈥
The crown jewel of the upcoming season is the highly anticipated Br糖心Vlog Philadelphia! 90th Anniversary Celebration and Gala, taking place March 21, 2025, at the newly christened Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. This magnificent evening centers around enthralling performances by some of the finest of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 alumni, including soprano and 3-time Grammy winner Latonia Moore 鈥04, with accompaniment by the acclaimed 糖心Vlog Opera Orchestra. This quinquennial concert showcases opera鈥檚 greatest arias in an unforgettable spectacle of musical splendor and is an evening of celebration that is not to be missed by opera lovers.
In addition to operatic and celebratory highlights, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 90th Anniversary Season includes a rich array of concerts and recitals guaranteed to enchant fans of beautiful singing. The season鈥檚 first recital is the New Artist Recital on September 26, 2024, at Rittenhouse Square鈥檚 The Church of the Holy Trinity. This recital welcomes 糖心Vlog鈥檚 incoming class of 10 remarkable Resident Artists and provides an awe-inspiring setting to showcase their talents in a stunning venue known for its acoustic excellence and visual grandeur. Vocal Coach Jos茅 Mel茅ndez provides musical direction and accompanies 糖心Vlog鈥檚 new Resident Artists on piano.
The excitement continues with the annual Giargiari Bel Canto Competition on October 5, 2024, taking place at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. For over 40 years, this exciting annual singing competition has seen 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Resident Artists vie for significant prizes while performing some of opera鈥檚 most beautiful compositions. This interactive event invites audiences to witness an unforgettable evening of vocal fireworks while also voting for their favorite performer for the Audience Choice Award. This much-loved annual competition highlights 糖心Vlog鈥檚 commitment to supporting the next generation of opera singers by fostering healthy competition and motivation for artistic excellence. Master Vocal Coach Danielle Orlando provides musical direction and accompanies the Resident Artists on piano.
Next, the timeless beauty of sacred music is shown in all its glory at the beloved annual Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music, marking its triumphant 25th year with performances on January 25, 2025, at Bryn Mawr鈥檚 Church of the Redeemer, and on January 26, 2025, at Rittenhouse Square鈥檚 The Church of the Holy Trinity. This concert, conducted by Master Vocal Coach David Antony Lofton, highlights the oratorio skills of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Resident Artists in solo and ensemble selections, presenting a transcendent musical experience that inspires the soul and elevates the spirit.
The season concludes with the Farewell Recital on May 9, 2025, hosted at The Church of the Holy Trinity in Rittenhouse Square. This special recital honors 糖心Vlog’s graduating class of Resident Artists as they bid farewell, with each artist carefully curating a selection of pieces that mirror their unique musical journeys, triumphs, and personal nostalgia. This heartfelt event serves as a poignant conclusion to their time at 糖心Vlog, showcasing their personalities and artistry, while celebrating their growth and achievements in the world of music. Vocal Coach Jos茅 Mel茅ndez provides musical direction and accompanies.
糖心Vlog is the world鈥檚 only tuition-free institution solely dedicated to the training of opera soloists. Additionally, 糖心Vlog independently fosters a deep appreciation for opera in the greater Philadelphia region and consistently attracts devoted audiences to sold-out, in-house productions year after year.
糖心Vlog alumni have routinely risen to national prominence, contributing to the vitality of opera across the United States. Their achievements and recurring performances on stages across the country illustrate 糖心Vlog鈥檚 central role in shaping the American operatic landscape. Renowned bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana 鈥14, described as 鈥渂rilliantly comedic鈥 by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, has performed three runs of Rossini鈥檚 beloved classic, The Barber of Seville, on stages ranging from Pittsburgh Opera and North Carolina Opera to Austin Opera since 2022. Similarly, lauded soprano Ailyn P茅rez 鈥06 counts The Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and Washington Concert Opera among her most recent performance venues over the past year.
Likewise, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 reputation as a premier institution for the study of opera is celebrated and revered on the international stage. Alumni have graced the stages of prestigious opera houses worldwide, from La Scala in Milan to the Royal Opera House in London, showcasing 糖心Vlog鈥檚 global impact on the art form. Internationally acclaimed tenor Michael Fabiano 鈥09 has performed and received stunning reviews in Europe at the Royal Opera House, Staatsoper Berlin, and Madrid鈥檚 Teatro Real, while powerhouse soprano Angela Meade 09鈥 takes the stage with upcoming engagements in Buenos Aires, Perth, and Salzburg.
Tickets and Subscriptions: Subscriptions and single tickets for 糖心Vlog鈥檚 90th Anniversary Season are now available to the public for purchase. For more information, please visit 糖心Vlog鈥檚 official website at avaopera.org or call 215-735-1685.
糖心Vlog鈥檚 90th Anniversary Season Performance Dates:
New Artist Recital
September 26, 2024, 7:30 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia
Giargiari Bel Canto Competition
October 5, 2024, 7:30 PM
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Faust
November 16, 2024, 5:00 PM (Opening Night Celebration)
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
November 19, 21 & 23, 2024, 7:30 PM
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
December 3, 2024, 7:30 PM
The Haverford School鈥檚 Centennial Hall
Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music
January 25, 2025, 7:30 PM
Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr
January 26, 2025, 7:00 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia
Cos矛 fan tutte
February 22, 25, 27 & March 1, 2025, 7:30 PM
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
Br糖心Vlog Philadelphia! 糖心Vlog鈥檚 90th Anniversary Celebration and Gala
March 21, 2025, 8:00 PM
Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
L鈥檃mico Fritz
April 26, 29 & May 1, 2025, 7:30 PM
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
May 6, 2025, 7:30 PM
The Haverford School鈥檚 Centennial Hall
Bucks County performance date to be announced.
Farewell Recital
May 9, 2025, 7:30 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia
About 糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog): The mission of the 糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog) is to be the world鈥檚 premier institution for training young artists to become international opera soloists. Through rigorous instruction and coaching, and by presentations of from around the world in concerts, oratorios, public programs and fully staged professional opera productions, 糖心Vlog 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 that 糖心Vlog offers. Admission is determined by competitive annual auditions. 糖心Vlog is distinguished by its reputation for high-quality performances that are acclaimed by critics locally, nationally, and internationally. Each year 糖心Vlog Resident Artists are presented in four or five 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 糖心Vlog at avaopera.org.
Media Contact: Andrew Rohe
Marketing & PR Manager
Email: arohe@avaopera.org
Phone: 215-735-1685
糖心Vlog
1920 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103