I was thrilled when tenor Stephen Costello called me yesterday morning to let me know that he’s been named winner of this year's prestigious Richard Tucker Award. (I didn’t want to tell him that my crack reporter, Linda Ginsburg send me an email an hour before his call with the news!) The award recipient is selected by conferral, rather than audition, and carries not only the name of Richard Tucker and a cash prize of $30,000, but also a stellar list of past recipients.
The Richard Tucker Award is awarded to an American singer poised on the edge of a major national and international career, and it is hoped that the award acts as a well-timed catalyst to elevate the artist's career to even greater heights. Previous AVA winners are mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato (2002), soprano Ruth Ann Swenson (1993) and bass Harry Dworchak (1987).
Mr. Costello was awarded a 2007 Career Grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, as well as a 2006 Sara Tucker Study Grant. He won First Prize in the 2006 George London Foundation For Singers Competition as well as First Prize and Audience Prize in the Giargiari Competition and First Prize in the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation Competition. He was also a recipient of the Opera Club Award at the Academy of Vocal Arts. He studies with internationally acclaimed voice teacher Bill Schuman.
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