Happy New Year!
Welcome to our latest AVAround the World blog post, where we take a look at the many accomplishments of AVAlumni spanning across the globe. From recitals to role debuts, concerts to festivals, January 2016 is certainly proving to be a busy month for our talented AVAlumni. Check out our update below of what successes our alumni have achieved this month.
AVA Acting/Stage Instructor Nic Muni makes his Florida Grand Opera debut as director of the production of Bellini's Norma on January 23 - 30, 2016. Bellini famously said that if he were shipwrecked, "I would leave all my other operas and try to save Norma."
Baritone Christian Bowers ('13) performed December 7 - January 7 with Lyric Opera of Chicago as Simon Thibault and Father Arguedas (cover) in their production of Bel Canto. Composed by Jimmy Lopez, this production starred Renée Fleming and was based on the novel of the same name by Ann Patchett.
Lyric Opera of Chicago set
Bass Scott Conner ('12)'s season includes a return to Zürich Opera in a new production of Il Viaggio a Reims starring as Don Profondo under the baton of William Christie. His performance run, begun in December, continues through January, 2016. A trailer of the production can be seen here.
Soprano Jan Cornelius ('11) will portray the role of Violetta in Opera Birmingham's production of La traviata on January 22, 2016.
Tenor Stephen Costello ('07) portrays the role of Percy in The Metropolitan Opera's production of Anna Bolena on January 5 and 9, 2016. The performance explores the human dimensions behind the history of Anne Boleyn's trial which took place on May 15, 1536, and her execution followed four days later.
Set image of The Met's Anna Bolena proudction
Later in the month, Stephen travels to Prague, Czech Republic to perform in a concert with the Prague Philharmonia on January 26, 2016. The concert, Questa o Quella? will have Stephen performing with American soprano Angel Blue and Italian soprano Maria Agresta.
Tenor William Davenport ('14) performs this month with Opera Naples as Ernesto in their production of Don Pasquale on January 14 & 16, 2016.
Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato ('95) enjoys a busy month beginning with teaching Master Classes at Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 8, 9 & 10, 2016. These master classes are specifically for opera singers aged 18 - 35 and focus on opera arias. Four singers will be selected to participate in this set of public events, which will be held in Carnegie Hall’s Judith and Burton Resnick Education Wing and streamed live online. Additional sessions on breathing, movement, and career development complete the program.
Joyce will also be performing at Opernball at Dresden Semperoper on January 29, 2016. This unique program includes outstanding leaders, decision makers and celebrities and many awards bestowed to worthy recipients.
Soprano Joyce El-Khoury ('08) began her run as Musetta in Bayerische Staatsoper's production of La boheme on December 30, 2015 which she continues until January 5, 2016.
Tenor Michael Fabiano ('09) began his performance in The Royal Opera's production as Lensky in Eugene Onegin on December 19, 22 & 30, 2015 through January 7, 2016. His house debut at Covent Garden has received rave reviews for his interpretation of Lensky.
Michael Fabiano as Lensky
Tenor Bryan Hymel ('08) opened as Rodolfo in La bohéme at The Metropolitan Opera on January 6 and continues on January 9, 13, 16 & 23, 2016.
Bryan Hymel as Rodolfo
Bass-baritone Ryan Kuster ('11) will perform with Arizona Opera as Escamillo in their production of Carmen. The performance will perform in two locations: Tuscon and Phoenix beginning on January 30 - February 7, 2016.
Soprano Angela Meade ('09) performed as a soloist in with the Philadelphia Orchestra on New Year's Eve - welcomed by Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin (who praised AVA in her introduction) and singing selections from Puccini and Verdi.
On January 22, soprano Chloé Moore ('14) will compete in the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition in Dublin, Ireland. This is the eighth consecutive year the competition will be held.
Baritone Zachary Nelson ('13) will sing the role of Escamillo in Palm Beach Opera's production of Carmen opening on January 22, 23 & 24, 2016.
Fellow AVAlum, baritone Musa Ngqungwana ('14) joins Zachary in Palm Beach Opera's production of Carmen as Zuniga on January 22, 23 & 24, 2016
Soprano Ailyn Pérez ('06) opens the new year singing the role of Countess Almaviva in Houston Grand Opera's production of Le Nozze di Figaro on January 22, 24 & 30 and February 3, 5 & 7, 2016.
Tenor James Valenti ('06) will perform with New York City Opera Renaissance in their performance of Tosca on January 20 - 24, 2016.
Bass Ben Wager ('09) performs with Minnesota Opera in their production of Rusalka starring as Vodník. The performance opens on January 23, 2016. Click here for a synopsis of the performance.
Samantha van Adelsberg is a Los Angeles native working in AVA's marketing department and managing the AVA Young Professionals group. Samantha holds two degrees from Binghamton University in English and Vocal Performance and is an active rock vocalist in the Philadelphia music scene.
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