2013–2014 SEASON T H E A C A D E M Y O F V O C A L A R T S

Marina Costa-Jackson and Dominick Chenes in Un ballo in maschera.Cover photo: Marina Costa-Jackson, Musa Ngqungwana, Patrick Guetti, Chloé Moore, Diego Silva, and Alexandra Schenck.

“There we all were with conductorChristofer Macatsoris zapping a consistently fine cast with what seemed like electric shocks in a tale of revenge that stops at nothing.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Academy of Vocal Arts was founded in 1934 by Helen Corning Warden to provide tuition-free vocal and opera

training of the highest quality. Today, The Academy of Vocal Arts’ mission is to be the world’s premier institution for

training young artists as 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 highest potential for career success while enriching lives in Philadelphia and beyond.

AVA’s program is unique, not only because it is a fully tuition-free program focusing solelyon operatic training, but also because we present our artists in professional productions.

We hope that you will join us for our 79th season as we showcase the next generation of operatic talent in time-honored

classics. Reserve your seats today and discover exciting new talent — an incoming class of fourteen Resident Artists — from

Armenia, Canada, New Zealand, Austria, Mexico, Australia and the continental United States, and the return of

award-winning singers, including Sydney Mancasola and Musa Ngqungwana, National Winners of the Metropolitan Opera

National Council Auditions.

President and Artistic Director

AVA Resident Artists in Don Quichotte.

NEW ARTISTS RECITALSEPTEMBER 20 & 21

THE GIARGIARI BEL CANTO COMPETITION OCTOBER 4

COSÌ FAN TUTTENOVEMBER 2–16

PIQUE DAMEJANUARY 18–25

LA TRAVIATAFEBRUARY 15–22

JUBILATE! A CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC MARCH 14–16

MANONAPRIL 26 — MAY 10

FAREWELL RECITAL MAY 9

2013–2014 SEASON

THE GIARGIARI BEL CANTO COMPETITION

Music Director and Pianist DANIELLE ORLANDO

Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center, PhiladelphiaOCTOBER 4, 2013

Let your voice be heard! Vote for the Audience Favorite in The Academy of Vocal Arts’ annual aria competition. The stakes are high as Resident Artists perform a single aria to compete for top prizes, chosen by a panel of esteemed judges.

Sponsored by Walter and Alice Strine, Esqs.

OCTOBER 4

NOVEMBER 2–16 COSÌ FAN TUTTEMOZART

Stage DirectorNIC MUNI

Mozart’s romantic comedy exposes the tension between emotion and reason. Set in Martha’s Vineyard during the late 1960s, two young men wager that their fiancées will remain faithful, even under extreme circumstances.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Helen Corning Warden Theater, PhiladelphiaNOVEMBER 2, 5, 7 & 9, 2013

Centennial Hall at the Haverford School, HaverfordNOVEMBER 13, 2013

Central Bucks South High School, WarringtonNOVEMBER 16, 2013

Conductor CHRISTOFER MACATSORIS

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JANUARY 18–25PIQUE DAME TCHAIKOVSKY

Tchaikovsky— a master of illuminating the human condition— explores obsession in this Russian drama, based on the story by Alexander Pushkin.An army officer desperate to learn the “secret behind three winning cards”jeopardizes his love, possessions, and ultimately his own life.

Sung in Russian with English supertitles

Sponsored by Walter and Alice Strine, Esqs.

Music Director and PianistGHENADY MEIRSON

Helen Corning Warden Theater, PhiladelphiaJANUARY 18, 21, 23 & 25, 2014

Semi-staged production with piano accompaniment

FEBRUARY 15–22 LA TRAVIATA VERDI

Stage DirectorDAVID GATELY

The timeless story of a beautiful courtesan who sacrifices her onlychance at happiness for the sake of her lover’s reputation. Inspired byLa Dame aux Camélias, a play adapted from the novel by AlexandreDumas.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Conductor CHRISTOFER MACATSORIS

Helen Corning Warden Theater, PhiladelphiaFEBRUARY 15, 18, 20 & 22, 2014

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MARCH 14-16JUBILATE! A CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC

The Academy of Vocal Arts’ annual concert of sacred vocal music featurestime-honored favorites from different cultures, faiths, and periods.

Music Director and Conductor DAVID ANTONY LOFTON

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, WayneMARCH 14, 2014

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chestnut Hill, PhiladelphiaMARCH 15, 2014

The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, PhiladelphiaMARCH 16, 2014

NEW LOCATION!

APRIL 26 — MAY 10 MANONMASSENET

Stage DirectorTITO CAPOBIANCO

Massenet’s most popular and enduring opera flaunts the charm and vitality of Parisian sophistication during the Belle Époque era. A young girl with conflicting desires for love and luxury is corrupted by the idea of the glamorous life.

Sung in French with English supertitles

Conductor CHRISTOFER MACATSORIS

Helen Corning Warden Theater, PhiladelphiaApril 26, 29, May 1 & 3, 2014

Centennial Hall at the Haverford School, HaverfordMay 7, 2014

Central Bucks South High School, WarringtonMay 10, 2014

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Subscribe today and discover exciting new talentright in your own backyard. With venues inPhiladelphia, Haverford, and Warrington, there's no need to travel far to hear the operastars of tomorrow.

As a subscriber, you will never miss a moment ofexperiencing the world's finest young operaticartists. The Academy of Vocal Arts offers a variety of subscription plans to make a night atthe opera affordable for everyone. In addition tosubstantial savings, subscribers receive a varietyof benefits.

• Save up to 30% off single ticket prices.

• Free admission to the New Artists andFarewell Recital.

• Exclusive options to purchase tickets beforethey go on sale to the general public.

• Avoid the waitlist! Seating is guaranteed withevery subscription.

• Additional tickets for your family and friendsare available at a discounted rate.

• Lose your tickets? We will replace them at no extra cost.

SUBSCRIPTION PLANS

1. TUTTO SERIESSecure your seats to see every production this season.

2. FLEX 5 SERIESMix and match to suit your tastes. Get thebest available seats for five productions.

3. FLEX 4 SERIESMix and match to suit your tastes. Get thebest available seats for four productions.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Sydney Mancasola in Il barbiere di Siviglia.

SEASON SPONSOR:

SUPERTITLES SPONSOR:

ADDITIONAL SPONSOR:

Alumni of The Academy of Vocal Arts have skyrocketed to the highest levels of artisticachievement, regularly performing in major rolesat the world’s premiere opera houses, such as theMetropolitan Opera in New York, Royal OperaCovent Garden in London, La Scala in Milan, atthe Salzburg Festival, the Vienna State Opera,and Santa Fe Opera.

SUPPORT

When you make a gift to AVA, you become part of the family!AVA’s opera productions are a core of our Resident Artists’ training program; however ticketsales cover only 8% of the costs to provide theirannual, tuition-free training. Donations are vital tothe program. We hope you will consider addinga donation to your subscription.

Contributions of $150 or more receive membership benefits. For a list of benefits and events visit us at avaopera.org.

“AVA offers the venue andopportunity to learn the craft

of opera and to walk onstage and sing! Every person

that has stepped into thatbrownstone on 1920

Spruce Street knows the feeling of accomplishment ofsinging on that stage. It was

the best thing that couldhave happened to me.”— Joyce DiDonato, class of 1995

David Antony Lofton and Wes Mason in the Farewell Recital.Design by Leslie McGeoch Graphic Design.

All photos by Paul Sirochman unless otherwise noted. Back cover photo by John Chew. Photo credit Donato Valentino.

1SELECT SERIES TYPE

TUTTO! SERIES Select ONE of each production$325 Regular Seating • $500 Premium

FLEX 5 SERIESSelect ONE of any FIVE productions$260 Regular Seating

FLEX 4 SERIESSelect ONE of any FOUR productions$230 Regular Seating

WHAT IS PREMIUM SEATING?

The Premium Seating are a selection of seats inevery venue that we consider to be the best in thehouse. In the Helen Corning Warden Theater, thefirst four-five rows are Premium Seating, in whichthe seats are assigned, while the rest of the houseis General Admission. In Centennial Hall, the Perel-man Theater, and Central Bucks South HighSchool, all seats are assigned by row and seatnumber, with the Premium Seating centrally locatedin each venue. Please note, Premium Seating isnot available for Jubilate! A Concert of SacredMusic. You can upgrade one or more performances froma REGULAR SEATING SUBSCRIPTION to PremiumSeating. Add $35 per ticket for each Premium Seating upgrade.

Choose from the follow productions on the right.

ON-SALE DATESSingle tickets to The Academy of Vocal Arts’ 2013-2014 Season will go on sale September 4, 2013. Subscribers have the option to add single tickets to their order. Starting on September 4, 2013, single ticket orders will be availablefor general sale both online and over the phone.

ACCESSIBILITYThe orchestra levels of all our theaters are wheelchair accessible. Please mention any special requests when ordering your tickets so that an appropriate seat can be reserved for you.

TICKET AND BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

MAIL THE ORDER FORM1920 Spruce StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19103

CALL THE BOX OFFICE215.735.1685Monday – Friday, 9 am – 3 pm

VISIT OUR WEBSITESubscribe online at avaopera.org

ORDER NOW

Shelley Jackson in Eugene Onegin.

THE GIARGIARI BEL

CANTO COMPETITIONPERELMAN THEATER, KIMMEL CENTERPhiladelphia, PA

___ Friday, October 4, 2013

COSÌ FAN TUTTE MOZART AVA’S HELEN CORNING WARDEN THEATER

___ Saturday, November 2, 2013___ Tuesday, November 5, 2013___ Thursday, November 7, 2013 ___ Saturday, November 9, 2013

CENTENNIAL HALL, THE HAVERFORD SCHOOLHaverford, PA

___ Wednesday, November 13, 2013

CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH HIGH SCHOOLWarrington, PA___ Saturday, November 16, 2013

PIQUE DAME TCHAIKOVSKY AVA’S HELEN CORNING WARDEN THEATER

___ Saturday, January 18, 2014 ___ Tuesday, January 21, 2014 ___ Thursday, January 23, 2014 ___ Saturday, January 25, 2014

LA TRAVIATA VERDIAVA’S HELEN CORNING WARDEN THEATER

___ Saturday, February 15, 2014 ___ Tuesday, February 18, 2014___ Thursday, February 20, 2014 ___ Saturday, February 22, 2014

JUBILATE!A CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC**

ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCHWayne, PA___ Friday, March 14, 2014

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCHChestnut Hill, Philadelphia___ Saturday, March 15, 2014

THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITYRittenhouse Square, Philadelphia

___ Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 7:00 pm

MANON MASSENETAVA’S HELEN CORNING WARDEN THEATER

___ Saturday, April 26, 2014___ Tuesday, April 29, 2014 ___ Thursday, May 1, 2014___ Saturday, May 3, 2014

CENTENNIAL HALL, THE HAVERFORD SCHOOLHaverford, PA

___ Wednesday, May 7, 2014

CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH HIGH SCHOOLWarrington, PA

___ Saturday, May 10, 2014

PERFORMANCES 2013–2014 SEASON All performances start at 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted.*

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CIRCLE: CELL HOME WORK

NEW ARTISTS RECITALAVA’S HELEN CORNING WARDEN THEATER

___Friday, September 20, 2013

___Saturday, September 21, 2013

FAREWELL RECITALTHE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITYRittenhouse Square, Philadelphia

___Friday, May 9, 2014

FREE with subscriptionChoose your preferred date for each recital.

* Operas, dates, and venues subject to change.** Premium seating not available for Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music.

PREMIUM SEATING: ________ X $500 = $___________REGULAR SEATING: ________ X $325 = $___________

REGULAR SEATING: ________ X $260 = $___________

REGULAR SEATING: ________ X $230 = $___________

Upgrade Individual Performances to Premium Seating ($35 per seat) ________ X $35 = $___________

SUBSCRIPTION TOTAL = $___________PROCESSING FEE + $___________

YES! I’d like to support AVA’s Resident Artists by making a contribution of + $___________

TOTAL = $__________

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7.00

2 TOTALS� TUTTO! SERIES

� FLEX 5 SERIES

� FLEX 4 SERIES

PAYMENT TYPECHECK CREDIT CARD(PAYABLE TO AVA) � VISA � MASTERCARD � AMEX

� Please charge my credit card in two installments — the first upon receipt of my subscription order and the second on September 9, 2013. Tickets will be mailed after the second payment.

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Non Profit OrganizationUS Postage

P A I D Philadelphia, PA Permit No. 532

T H E A C A D E M Y O F V O C A L A R T S

Christofer MacatsorisJeannine B. Cowles Music Director Chair

K. James McDowellPresident and Artistic Director

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PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

215.735.1685

AVAOPERA.ORG

Michael Adams Anush Avetisyan Karen Barraza Jared Bybee Dominick Chenes Marina Costa-Jackson André Courville William Davenport Julia Dawson Jorge Espino Patrick Guetti Jonas Hacker Shelley Jackson Alasdair Kent

Kristina Nicole LewisSydney MancasolaChloé MooreMusa NgqungwanaJessie NguenangDaniel NoyolaArmando PiñaGaleano SalasAlexandra SchenckAnthony SchneiderDiego Silva Mackenzie WhitneyMelinda WhittingtonChrystal E. Williams

2013-2014 Resident Artists