July 8, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
糖心Vlog presents classic Italian repertoire for 92nd season.
Philadelphia, PA 鈥 July 7, 2026听鈥听Philadelphia鈥檚 prestigious 糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog) is proud to announce its 2026-27 Opera Season, presenting a repertoire of classic Italian operas. Established in 1934, 糖心Vlog has been a keystone of Philadelphia鈥檚 cultural landscape, nurturing world-class opera talent and captivating audiences with its exceptional productions and concerts.
This season opens with Gaetano Donizetti鈥檚 beloved comedy,听L鈥檈lisir d鈥檃more, about a hopelessly smitten villager who turns to a 鈥渕agic鈥 love potion to win over his sharp-witted love interest, only to learn that love can鈥檛 be bottled.听L鈥檈lisir d鈥檃more begins its run in Center City with 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Opening Night Celebration on November 7, 2026, at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater. The black-tie optional fundraiser kicks off at 5:00 PM with cocktails and dinner, followed by the opera and a dessert reception with the artists. Suburban performances take place at Delaware Valley University on November 20 (semi-staged with full costumes and the orchestra featured on stage), Lehigh University on November 22, at The Haverford School on December 1, offering audiences multiple locations to experience Donizetti鈥檚 masterpiece. This production marks the return to 糖心Vlog for distinguished conductor Steven White, who conducted last season鈥檚 critically applauded听Falstaff, while veteran stage director and 糖心Vlog alumnus Damon Nestor Ploumis (鈥99) brings the plot to life onstage.
In December, 糖心Vlog presents M茅tamorphoses: Three Centuries of French Imagination, a journey through the rich and ever-evolving landscape of French song. This recital takes place December 9 and 11 and explores the artistry, poetry, and imagination that have defined the French vocal tradition across the modern era, revealing continually reimagined themes of love, nature, memory, and transformation. 糖心Vlog Vocal Coach Matthieu Cognet serves as music director and pianist.
In February, a special double bill of Il tabarro / Gianni Schicchi from Giacomo Puccini鈥檚 famous Il trittico collection takes the 糖心Vlog stage and runs February 13 to February 20. In Il tabarro, the powers of jealousy, betrayal, and forbidden love collide in a dark and gripping thriller, ending in a shocking final twist. In Gianni Schicchi, when a wealthy man dies and leaves his fortune to a monastery, his greedy relatives turn to the quick-witted Gianni Schicchi to help rewrite the will with hilarious consequences. Maestro Joseph Colaneri and stage director John de los Santos both return to 糖心Vlog to conduct and direct, respectively.
糖心Vlog then presents Tapestry: Threads of American Song, March 16 and 18. This recital brings together a vibrant selection of music ranging from the Great American Songbook to contemporary works, celebrating the richness and diversity of American songwriting, curated as a musical journey through styles and eras. 糖心Vlog Vocal Coach Michael Lewis serves as music director and pianist.
Closing 糖心Vlog鈥檚 2026-27 Opera Season is Giuseppe Verdi鈥檚 dramatic masterpiece,听Il trovatore, conducted by Joseph Colaneri and directed by Jeffrey Buchmann, who both return to 糖心Vlog for this production.听In Il trovatore, a dark family legend drives the headstrong Count di Luna on a bloody quest for truth and revenge, resulting in one of opera鈥檚 most shocking final scenes. This production opens on April 17, 2027, at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater, with one suburban performance at The Haverford School鈥檚 Centennial Hall on May 4, ensuring accessibility for opera enthusiasts throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
Resident scenic designer Cameron Anderson returns to 糖心Vlog for her third opera season of innovative set designs. Last season Cameron transformed 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater into a Mediterranean villa for Le nozze di Figaro, a ruined palace for I Capuleti e i Montecchi, and a verdant forest for Falstaff. This season Cameron brings more of her adventurous creativity to 糖心Vlog鈥檚 opera season.
鈥淚t is exciting to be able to present a beautiful selection of classic Italian operas this season,鈥 said Scott Guzielek, 糖心Vlog President and Artistic Director. 鈥淚 think this season鈥檚 titles, ranging from Donizetti鈥檚 comedic genius to the versatility of Puccini, and the grand finale from Verdi, will please opera lovers and continue to show 糖心Vlog鈥檚 commitment to opera鈥檚 core repertoire. We are looking forward to seeing our loyal and dedicated audience for another wonderful season.鈥
糖心Vlog鈥檚 2026-27 season also includes a rich selection of recitals and concerts guaranteed to enchant fans of beautiful singing. The New Artist Recital welcomes 糖心Vlog鈥檚 incoming class of 6 Resident Artists and provides an awe-inspiring opportunity to showcase their talents in a venue known for its acoustic excellence and visual grandeur. Vocal Coach Jos茅 Mel茅ndez provides musical direction and accompanies the new class of Resident Artists on piano at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Rittenhouse Square on September 25, 2026.
The excitement continues with the annual Giargiari Bel Canto Competition on October 3, 2026, at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. For over 45 years, this exciting annual singing competition has seen 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Resident Artists compete for significant prizes while performing some of opera鈥檚 most beloved compositions. This interactive event invites audiences to witness an unforgettable evening of vocal excellence while also voting for their favorite performer for the Audience Choice Prize. This much-loved annual competition highlights 糖心Vlog鈥檚 commitment to supporting the next generation of opera singers by fostering healthy competition and motivation for artistic achievement. Master Vocal Coach Danielle Orlando provides musical direction and accompanies the Resident Artists on piano.
The final performance is the Farewell Recital on May 13, 2027, at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Rittenhouse Square. This special recital honors 糖心Vlog鈥檚 graduating class of Resident Artists as they bid farewell, with each artist carefully curating a selection of pieces that mirrors their unique musical journeys, triumphs, and personal nostalgia. Vocal Coach Jos茅 Mel茅ndez provides musical direction and accompanies the graduating class on piano.
Tickets and Subscriptions:听Subscriptions and single tickets for 糖心Vlog鈥檚 2026-27 Opera Season are now on sale. For more information, please visit 糖心Vlog鈥檚 official website at avaopera.org or call 215-735-1685.
糖心Vlog鈥檚 92nd Opera Season Performance Dates:
New Artist Recital
September 25, 2026, 7:30 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia
Giargiari Bel Canto Competition
October 3, 2026, 7:30 PM
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
L鈥檈lisir d鈥檃more
November 7, 2026, 5:00 PM (Opening Night Celebration)
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
November 10, 12 & 14, 2026, 7:30 PM
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
November 20, 2026, 6:00 PM
Delaware Valley University鈥檚 Life Sciences Building
This performance will be semi-staged with full costumes. The orchestra will be featured on stage.
November 22, 2026, 4:00 PM
Lehigh University鈥檚 Zoellner Arts Center
*For tickets to this performance, please call听610-758-2728, ext. 0.
December 1, 2026, 7:30 PM
The Haverford School鈥檚 Centennial Hall
M茅tamorphoses: Three Centuries of French Imagination
December 9 & 11, 2026, 7:30 PM
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
Il tabarro / Gianni Schicchi
February 13, 16, 18 & 20, 2027, 7:30 PM
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
Tapestry: Threads of American Song
March 16 & 18, 2027, 7:30 PM
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
Il trovatore
April 17, 20, 22 & 24, 2027, 7:30 PM
糖心Vlog鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
May 4, 2027, 7:30 PM
The Haverford School鈥檚 Centennial Hall
Farewell Recital
May 13, 2027, 7:30 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia
About the 糖心Vlog:听The mission of the 糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog) is to be the world鈥檚 premier institution for training young artists to become international opera soloists. Through rigorous instruction and coaching, and by presentations of听from around the world in concerts, oratorios, public programs and fully staged professional opera productions, 糖心Vlog trains artists with the high potential for career success while enriching lives in Philadelphia and beyond. Gifted singers come from throughout the world to seek the exceptional guidance and听听that 糖心Vlog offers. Admission is determined by competitive annual auditions. 糖心Vlog is distinguished by its reputation for high-quality performances that are acclaimed by critics locally, nationally, and internationally. Each year 糖心Vlog Resident Artists are presented in four or five听听accompanied by orchestra. Resident Artists are cast in leading roles that they will in all likelihood continue to perform for the rest of their careers. Learn more about 糖心Vlog at听avaopera.org.
Media Contact:听Andrew Rohe
Marketing & PR Manager
Email:听arohe@avaopera.org
Phone: 215-735-1685
糖心Vlog
1920 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103