Opera in Philadelphia

“Vocally impressive, verbally elegant, and duly seductive” (Opera News) , the “velvet-voiced” (The New Yorker) baritone Justin Austin makes his PCMS debut with pianist Howard Watkins, a leading vocal collaborator and assistant conductor of the Metropolitan Opera. At the heart of their program are selections from The Threepenny Opera , Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s 1928 satirical, jazz-infused critique of unbridled capitalism. Among other genre-bending works, Austin and Watkins also performs one of the rousing Walt Whitman poems Weill set to music after immigrating to the United States and two songs by Ricky Ian Gordon, one of which explores the tragic death of singer Marvin Gaye. Program: Don’t Be Angry! Program includes works by Weill/Brecht , Ravel , Wolf , Bienert , R. I. Gordon , and Owens Running time: approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes (including intermission)

AVA opens its 92nd opera season with Donizetti’s classic bel canto comedy, L’elisir d’amore . AVA’s production is set in Philadelphia during the 1876 Centennial Celebrations and follows Nemorino, a hopelessly smitten young man who longs to win the love of the intelligent and independent Adina. When his earnest attempts fail to capture her heart, he places his faith in a traveling quack doctor’s “magic” love potion, setting off a series of hilarious misunderstandings and unexpected twists. Premiering in 1832 at Milan’s Teatro della Canobbiana, L’elisir d’amore quickly became one of the most popular operas in Italy and has remained a staple of the international repertoire ever since. Filled with warmth, humor, and unforgettable music, this enduring favorite is Donizetti at his finest, blending laughter and romance into a celebration of the human heart. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

AVA opens its 92nd opera season with Donizetti’s classic bel canto comedy, L’elisir d’amore . AVA’s production is set in Philadelphia during the 1876 Centennial Celebrations and follows Nemorino, a hopelessly smitten young man who longs to win the love of the intelligent and independent Adina. When his earnest attempts fail to capture her heart, he places his faith in a traveling quack doctor’s “magic” love potion, setting off a series of hilarious misunderstandings and unexpected twists. Premiering in 1832 at Milan’s Teatro della Canobbiana, L’elisir d’amore quickly became one of the most popular operas in Italy and has remained a staple of the international repertoire ever since. Filled with warmth, humor, and unforgettable music, this enduring favorite is Donizetti at his finest, blending laughter and romance into a celebration of the human heart. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

AVA opens its 92nd opera season with Donizetti’s classic bel canto comedy, L’elisir d’amore . AVA’s production is set in Philadelphia during the 1876 Centennial Celebrations and follows Nemorino, a hopelessly smitten young man who longs to win the love of the intelligent and independent Adina. When his earnest attempts fail to capture her heart, he places his faith in a traveling quack doctor’s “magic” love potion, setting off a series of hilarious misunderstandings and unexpected twists. Premiering in 1832 at Milan’s Teatro della Canobbiana, L’elisir d’amore quickly became one of the most popular operas in Italy and has remained a staple of the international repertoire ever since. Filled with warmth, humor, and unforgettable music, this enduring favorite is Donizetti at his finest, blending laughter and romance into a celebration of the human heart. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Official public Curtis Institute of Music performance.

Official public Curtis Institute of Music performance.