Seeing red...

Last Saturday night the Bucks County Opera Association held their Valentine’s Gala in New Hope, PA. It was a red event with everyone dressed in some shad eof the color of love.

Bucks County Opera Association (BCOA) is one of the invaluable regional support groups. They sponsor two AVA opera a year in Bucks County, as well as underwrite a fellowship for one AVA resident artist. AVA will present Verdi’s La traviata on May 10 at Central Bucks High School South for BCOA.

The gala this past weekend was to help raise money for a permanent Fellowship for AVA resident artists. Recent recipients have been tenors Stephen Costello and Michael Fabiano, and this year it is first year resident artist tenor Raffaele Sepe. The musical part of the evening was under the direction of AVA master vocal coach Richard A Raub with soprano Joyce El-Khoury, tenor Sepe, and baritone Christopher Bolduc. Along with selections from La traviata and Pagliacci, the singers gave their slant on love with a trio version of Love is where you find it. Pictured is soprano Joyce El-Khoury and baritone Christopher Bolduc.

Along with dinner and dancing, the evening's main event was their silent and live auction. I was asked to be the MC for the live auction, which was a cash appeal which I called "I Love AVA" – where cash donations were graciously accepted by yours truly. The total raised for AVA was close to $25, 000 with $10,000 coming from the cash auction. Pictured is Executive Director K. James McDowell and tenor Raffaele Sepe.

Being a part-time resident of Bucks County, as well as an alum and employee of AVA I was happy to do my part. Nothing better than helping the singers of AVA, and that’s just what the Bucks County, Main Line and South Jersey Opera Associations do.

Bravi to all who attended and helped raise money. The biggest thanks go to the co-chairs of the event, AVA board members Barbara Donnelly and Susan Kane (pictured).