AVA Opera Blog

Blog thy neighbor...

Unless you live on another planet you know that the biggest things to hit the internet are personal blogs, just like mine. I limit mine to information on the AVA family, but below are some other blogs you should take a peek at. They are written by wonderful friends of opera, and extol what AVA stands for.

Operavision Blog
Metropolitan Opera soprano Aprile Millo has made no bones about liking the singers from AVA. She has been a huge supporter of the alumni and resident artists, and has even been found in the audience, as she was on Saturday night’s production of La Traviata in Bucks County.  Ms. Millo’s history with AVA goes back a few years, and she was the honored guest artist at the 70th anniversary concert in 2005 at Verizon Hall. Shortly after that concert she returned to Philadelphia for a solo recital, and during that time gave a master class for the resident artists. I spoke to Takesha Kizart at the end of class to ask her how she enjoyed Ms. Millo.  She replied to me that she was the most giving singer and the information and comments were very helpful, and she would always remember the class (even opera singers are groupies.)

Yankeediva Blog
A quiet blog, but also wonderful is that of AVA alumna mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. Most of the blog is about her travels and opera impressions, but well worth reading.

Neil Funkhouser Management Blog
Lastly is the blog of artist manager Neil Funkhouser, which is written by Mr. Funkhouser and his associate Alex Fletcher. Mr. Funkhouser represents many of the resident artists and alumni of AVA including Markus Beam, Stephen Costello, Bryan Hymel, Ailyn Perez, and Ben Wager. All the information on the Funkhouser blog is related to his artists, but there are plenty of AVA singers to choose from.

Addio, dear friend...

It’s always sad when you hear about the loss of a friend. When it’s a fellow musician, teacher, scholar, and part of the AVA family it’s much more deeply felt.

On Friday, May 9, 2008 the wonderful Wayne Conner passed after a brief illness. He was the instructor of Opera History and History of Singers at AVA, but he was much more than that. The resident artists and alums who took his classes were always enthralled by his tales of historical singers, and through that learned of the golden age of opera.

He will be missed by all of us this kind and gentle man. His wealth of knowledge imparted on decades of young singers hopefully helped them to understand the lineage of opera. He was also the voice of AVA on our WRTI broadcasts, and now that voice is silenced.

Please feel free to write your memories of Wayne in the comment box below. A celebration of life will be held at The Curtis Institute of Music on Wednesday June 4th at 4:30 pm.

Wayne Conner, a native of Dallas, Texas, received a business degree from Southern Methodist University and music degrees from The Peabody Conservatory and The Curtis Institute of Music. He studied voice with Richard Bonelli and Martial Singher and was coached by such famous artists as Elizabeth Westmoreland, Vladimir Sokoloff, Leo Rosenek, Ernest Ligo, and Tito Schipa. As a tenor soloist, he appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy, The Philadelphia Chamber Society, Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, Zagreb Philharmonic, Philadelphia Oratorio Choir, Baltimore Bach Society, and the Marlboro Festival in Vermont. He was also heard frequently as an opera singer in performances with the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company.

As a historian and lecturer, he is in constant demand. He was the creator and host of Singer's World, heard on National Public Radio for twenty-five years and was the host and producer of Collector's Corner and The Sunday Opera for WHYY 91 FM in Philadelphia. Mr. Conner is a former member of the voice faculty of Mannes College and a current faculty member of both The Peabody Conservatory and The Curtis Institute of Music. Opera lovers have heard his highly informative and enlightened lectures about the history of opera at The Academy of Vocal Arts, Johns Hopkins University, Washington Opera Society, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Friends of Curtis Institute, and The Opera Club of Philadelphia.

A yankee doodle singer...

So if you happen to see the Philadelphia Inquirer today, which I read over coffee, and if you know the resident artists and alumni of AVA, you might have had a morning chuckle.

As most of you know AVA’s production of La traviata opened last Saturday, and in all good performing arts groups, you wait for the review (even when you say you won’t.) Well in today’s paper side-by-side was the old, and new of AVA.

Playing Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia for many years is AVA alum Dean Bennett (class of 1960) in a article about the story tellers in the historic area and Independence Hall. Dean is the authentic Mr. Franklin and is well know in this area.

Sharing the top of the page with Dean was a wonderful review from music critic David Patrick Stearns on AVA’s opening night  La traviata As they would said at Sardi’s (for all you when remember the glories of Broadway), he liked it!

I have it here for you to read, but he said of Jan Cornelius, “Jan Cornelius nailed Violetta.” Of tenor Michael Fabiano’s Alfredo he mentioned, “He's the real thing.” The photo is of (l to r) Cynthia Cook, Jan Cornelius and Ariya Sawadivong.

What a wonderful time to bring two different decades of AVA people together on the same page, doing what they do well.

Over the bridge...

I never thought of AVA as “party central” but if one gala is good, three are just great! The year started with the Bucks County Opera Association Gala in February, followed by the AVA Viva la Voce! gala in March, and now the South Jersey Opera Association had their time to sparkle with Libiamo! this past Saturday.

South Jersey Opera Association (SOJA) is the newest jewel in the AVA’s crown. It was started three years ago with the help of Denise Stuart, AVA’s Director of PR and Marketing, and NJ resident. She saw interest for opera and music in the NJ area and helped AVA began their move into NJ with the Jubilate! concert. In 2005, fully staged opera was presented. First at the Commerce Bank Arts Center, then at Rutgers/Camden Gordon Theater.

The gala on Saturday night was the third event for this new group. It was used to help promote the production of La traviata which will be performed at the Gordon Theater at the Rutgers Camden Campus on May 17.  The event took place at Commerce University, the banks dramatic new training facility which includes a professional theater and three-story atrium.

What hit me the most was the number of young patrons who attended the event. If they are not opera lovers yet, they will be when they see La traviata. The SJOA committee does one of the best silent auctions I have seen, with over 40 different items to choose from including a week stay in Sedona to a diamond ring. Along with the silent auction, there was a raffle of sixteen items, which yours truly called out the winning numbers with the help of Box Office Manager Robin Marcotte, and Director of Institutional Advancement, Bob Lyon.

The best part of the evening, of course, was the wonderful singing from the resident artists, Taylor Stayton, Corinne Winters, and Ryan Kuster (pictured with Luke Housner). Ariya Sawadivong, Cody Austin, alum Eric Dubin and Octavio Moreno were also there to sing as guest artists, all under the musical direction of Luke Housner.

So what’s the bottom line? This year SJOA raised more than the previous years at almost $30,000, which will help the scholarship fund at AVA.

1. AVA Board members Susan Kane and Ann Stephenson (also Bucks County Opera Association members) take the pen to the silent auction items.
2. Tenor Cody Austin and baritone Octavio Moreno sing the duet from the Pearl Fishers.
3. Tenor Taylor Stayton and soprano Corinne Winters sing the duet from The Merry Widow.

The memory lingers...

It was a cold and windy night, but AVA’s 73rd gala – Viva la Voce! was hot and fun!

Events, like the gala, don’t happen over night but this event went as smooth as clockwork, thanks to Randy Apgar the gala chair, his committees, and all the workers at AVA.

It seems that AVA can’t do galas the easy way where you walk in, have the gala and leave. This year we took over two buildings on three different floors to the delight of the attendees. The evening began with cocktail in the casting hall of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where there are life size casts of Michelangelo’s David and the Winged Victory from the Louvre. Tenor Bryan Hymel and baritone Octavio Moreno sang excerpts from La bohème during cocktails. Our honored guest for the evening was Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano and AVA alumna, Joyce DiDonato, and her husband Maestro Leonardo Vordoni, who greeted many of the guests before the concert.

Following cocktails was the concert in the grand rotunda on the second floor. The guest artist was the wonderful soprano and AVA alumna Latonia Moore. She was joined by resident artists Jan Cornelius, Jessica Julin, Corinne Winters, Cody Austin, Taylor Stayton and Christopher Bolduc, under the direction of master vocal coaches David Lofton, Danielle Orlando and Richard Raub.

It was now time for dinner and all three hundred guests marched up to the Hamilton Building for dinner. The theme by Kay Bossone and Scott Key was spring, with colors and flowers to match the art in the gallery. There were brief welcoming speeches by Herbert Riband of PAFA and Mackie MacLean, AVA board president. Dinner was delicious, with dancing between courses. Most of the AVA resident artists were on the floor “cutting-a-rug.”

After the entrée was served, AVA ventured into uncharted waters – a live auction and raffle. The auction committee under the leadership of Ilyce Benton, with the help of Russell Palmer III, had a magnificent line up of items, including a chateau in France that sleeps sixteen! We were in the most capable hands of guest auctioneer Alasdair Nichol from Antiques Roadshow and Freeman’s Auctioneers, Philadelphia. Being a Roadshow "groupie" I enjoyed working with Mr. Nichol, as Bob Lyon and I were his helpers for the auction/raffle.  Front office associates Allison Hymel and Ellen Joffred were a great help lining up the auction items and resident artist presenters.

The evening ended with dessert and more dancing. The best part is that AVA raised nearly one hundred thousand dollars for the scholarship fund.

I have attached many great photos taken by Russell Palmer, and to see the official photos of the evening, click here.

Now aren’t you sorry you missed this?  Why not attend the 74th gala in April 2009?

        

Top row: (1) Stephen Janick and Russell Palmer, III (2) Board members Rosalie Gerson and Martha Hurt (3) Tenor Bryan Hymel (4) Baritone Christopher Bolduc (5) Master vocal coach Richard Raub (6) Mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen

Botttom row; (1) Selling raffle tickets, mezzo-soprano Cynthia Cook and bariton Steven LaBrie (2) Master vocal coach Danielle Orlando and Sally Jannetta (3) Dr. Benjamin Ramerez and Ross Russell with Ariadna and Octavio Moreno (4) AVA volunteer Nan Altman and soprano Corinne Winters

Singing around...

Tis the season for resident artists to perform locally and here are a few that you shouldn’t miss.

Riverside Symphonia, Lamberville NJ
Opera Spectacular
Friday, April 18 and Saturday April 19 at 8 pm
It’s just a quick hop north from Philadelphia, and across the river from Bucks County. Four soloists from AVA will be the featured artists on this potpourri concert of opera favorites. Soprano Angela Meade, mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen, tenor alum Jeffrey Halili, and baritone Steven LaBrie (pictured) will sing excerpts and arias from Rigoletto, Carmen, Le nozze di Figaro, Die Fledermaus and La traviata. The Riverside Symphonia is under the baton of Polish conductor Mariusz Smolij.

Valley Forge Revolutionary 5 Mile Run
Sunday, April 20 at 8 am
For all you fans of foot races, come hear Cody Austin sing the National Anthem at the beginning of the race. Feel free to sign up for the run too!Race proceeds benefit park preservation and maintenance initiatives at the Valley Forge National Historical Park. This event also kicks off National Park Week.

Greystone Society of Coatesville
Sunday, April 27 at 3 pm
If you like music on the lighter side, join AVA alumna Rebecca Carr (pictured), and resident artist Cody Austin with James Batt, pianist. They will perform selections from the Emmerich Kalman hit Countess Maritza, which they performed with Concert Operetta Theater in October 2007, along with other well known favorites by Lehar. An afternoon tea reception will follow the concert.

New Jersey Masterchorale
Sunday, April 27 at 8 pm
Music to Make the Heart Glad
Haddonfield United Methodist Church
The Masterchorale has been the AVA chorus in recent years for the Jubilate! concert.
They will perform Gounod’s St. Cecelia Mass, and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. AVA soloists include soprano Ariya Sawadivong, tenor Cody Austin, baritone alum Eric Dubin, and master vocal coach David Lofton.

Singing City
60th Anniversary Concert - Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis
Sunday May 4 at 4 pm
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
Resident artist tenor Bryan Hymel will be the soloist in this monumental piece under the direction of Jeffrey Brillhart.

I'm a bad boy...

I have not been keeping up with the blogs recently, but hopefully that will change. The 73rd anniversary Academy of Vocal Arts Viva la Voce! gala was scheduled for March 29th, and AVA was a-buzz with pre and post preparations for the event. It was a triple-hitter-weekend with an invitation only cocktail party on Friday, the gala on Sunday, and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato’s Philadelphia recital on Sunday.

It all began on Friday night the 28th, when former AVA board member Dr. Benjamin Ramirez, and his partner Ross Russell come to town to attend the gala. They stayed with board member Stephen Janick, and his partner Russell Palmer, III. Ben invited the AVA staff and singers to a cocktail party that evening to see many of his old friends. Staff accompanist Michele Scanlon was there to fill the room with music, but AVA tenor Joseph Demarest took his turn at the piano for a sing-a-long of tunes from the 80’s (when most of the resident artists were still babies!)

What a great evening! No, we didn’t sleep over that night, we were checking out Mr. Palmer’s new bed.

Eat, drink, raffle...

On Sunday, March 9th, AVA did double duty. The Angels & Benefactors cocktail party, which is the kick off to the Viva la Voce! gala on March 29, was followed by Jubilate! A Concert of Scared Music and Oratorio Masterpieces at First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, four blocks away.

Diane Dalto and Richard Woosnam, this year’s honorary chairs of the gala, opened their beautiful historic house in the Rittenhouse Square area for the event. More than eighty guests filled the second floor salon for cocktails and hors d’ouvres, waiting for the musical selections of the evening. The singers performed on a modern, dramatic staircase above the crowd.

The singers for the evening were soprano Angela Meade, who is understudying the soprano role in Ernani at the Metropolitan Opera this month. Tenor Bryan Hymel, who had a great success at Carniege Hall that same week (click here to see my blog), and baritone Christopher Bolduc, one of this years semi-finalists of the Met Auditions (click here to see my blog.) The audience went wild for all the singers, and love all the musical selections which were accompanied by AVA master vocal coach Richard Raub. Pictured also in the above photo is Maestro Christofer Macatsoris.

Angela, Bryan and Chris were not the only AVA resident artists present. Soprano Colleen Daly was our "Raffle Girl" of the evening, helping the attendees get a jump on purchasing their raffle tickets for the gala where AVA will raffle off eight great items. Along with the raffle, there will be an auction of eight items, including a stay in a Chateau in France.

Click here to see more photos of the Angels & Benefactors Cocktail Party

Many of the attendees took advantage of having the sacred music concert within walking distance and filled the rest of their evening enjoying the concert under the baton of Maestro David Lofton.

We send a big thanks to our hosts of the evening, and look forward to the Gala!

Mangia...

Last week the Italian class went on a field trip. Not to Tuscany, or even Napoli, but to the Italian market in South Philadelphia (Philly).

I heard that this was the brain child of second year soprano, Colleen Daly (a nice Italian girl) who wanted to use her conversational Italian. With the help of Professor Teresa Hanes the class went to the market to purchase food, which was to be prepared for the following class.

Last Thursday, the class had their day in the AVA kitchen preparing their lunch while conversing in Italian. The espresso was flowing, and some of the singers took the stove like a pro. I could smell the garlic in my office!

I stopped down a few times to see the progress and the warmth that radiated from that kitchen was truly heady. When a group pulls together while having fun, nothing is too hard to accomplish.

The food looked wonderful, starting with prosciutto wrapped bread sticks, two kinds of crustini and bruschetta, insalata mista, and both sweet potato gnocchi and pumpkin ravioli in a sage butter sauce.

You can’t have a true Italian lunch without a bit of dolce (sweets), and the tiramisu cake was used to celebrate birthday boy Taylor Stayton’s day!

This would not have happened without Teresa Hanes. A wonderful person with the driest sense of humor, she has been teaching Italian at AVA for over 30 years, and I was one of her students in 1985 & 1986 (although not one of her best!)

I put some of these photos on Facebook, a new communication tool on the internet and tenor Joe Demarest commented, “This kind of has the feel of a promo photo from an early 90s sitcom about a Grandmother who adopts struggling orphan artists in their twenties and live in an inner city basement. The Bruschetta Bunch! Sadly, never made it past the pilot.”

And for your second aria...

This has been a very busy few weeks for the resident artists. After the production of Kát’a Kabanová, there was a very quick turn-around to get ready for Jubilate! A Concert of Scared Music and Oratorio Masterpieces. When the curtain went down on the concert last night, the resident artists took a one week break.

That doesn’t mean the school will be closed. This Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday AVA will hold auditions for new resident artist slots for the 2008-2009 season and the class of 2012.

Dean of Students Val Starr with the help of Allison Hymel and Ellen Joffred will try to make the 150 or so prospective students feel comfortable before their auditions. The preliminaries will be held on Monday and Tuesday. The singers will be heard by the music staff and the executive director on teh first two days, and the three voice teachers will join the panel for the finals on Wednesday.

For all of you who are waiting with bated breath as to what productions AVA will present next season, Mestro Macatsoris and exective Director, Mr. McDowell will begin talking in earnest after the auditions as to the line-up.

We on the administration side are not sitting back and relaxing during the week. Although we are not involved with the auditions, Bob Lyon, Denise Stuart and I will be trying to put the final touches on the Viva la Voce! gala, which takes place on March 29th. We’re tying up the loose ends and I’ll be making the work plan for the resident artists for that evening. This year AVA has added an auction with Antiques Road Show star Alasdair Nichol, and a raffle of amazing items. The resident artists will be involved with the raffle itself – no we’re not raffling off a singer!

By Thursday we will close the doors for a two day break for the staff  -hooray!

*** I had no photo to go with this blog, so I added one of Jessia Julin, which I took yesterday. She got a new hair cut and we all think it's cute!