AVA Celebrates 45 Years of the Annual Giargiari Competition

The Academy of Vocal (AVA) proudly presents the 45^th annual Giargiari Bel Canto Competition, taking place at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. This popular event sees AVA’s Resident Artists perform a selection of opera’s most beautiful arias while competing for top prizes, including the highly desired Audience Choice Award.

The Giargiari Bel Canto Competition has been a highlight of AVA’s season, drawing opera enthusiasts and music lovers from near and far. “It seems significant that we celebrate the 45^th Giargiari Competition against the backdrop of AVA’s 90^th Anniversary Season,” remarks Master Vocal Coach Danielle Orlando, the competition’s music director and accompanist. “It is a halfway point in AVA’s historic legacy, and it’s an incredible opportunity for our Resident Artists to practice their craft in front of our dedicated audience. Last year we selected two arias per singer, and it was so popular for both the singers and the audience that we are happily repeating the same format this year.”

Winners are selected by three opera professionals serving as the competition’s judges, awarding First and Second Prize. The audience will have the unique opportunity to play an active role in the event by casting their votes for the Audience Choice Award, adding an extra layer of excitement to a consistently thrilling evening. Last year’s competition featured remarkable performances by tenor Angel Raii Gomez (4^th year), winning both First Place and Audience Choice awards, tenor Luke Norvell (4^th year), winning Second Place, and soprano Ethel Trujillo ‘24, winning Third Place.

The Giargiari tradition continues with AVA’s 90^th Anniversary Season, and AVA looks forward to seeing who will join the ranks of previous years’ winners, including 2000 winner Latonia Moore ‘04, 2005 winner Stephen Costello ’07, and 2010 winner Corinne Winters ‘11.

Tickets: Tickets for the Giargiari Bel Canto Competition are now available to the public for purchase. For more information, please visit AVA’s official website at avaopera.org. To purchase tickets, call Ticket Philadelphia at 215-893-1999 or visit the following link: Giargiari Bel Canto Competition

Subscriptions: Subscriptions to AVA’s 90^th Anniversary Season including the Giargiari Bel Canto Competition are now available to the public for purchase. For more information, please visit AVA’s official website at avaopera.org, call 215-735-1685 or visit the following link: AVA Season Subscriptions