An inventive Rape of Lucretia with contemporary resonance at AVA

Jenny Anne Flory (Lucretia) and Benjamin Dickerson (Tarquinius)

By Cameron Kelsall, 18 February 2024

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“wading into the thorny thickets of this oratorio-like melding of mythology and Modernism”

Reviewed at The Academy of Vocal Arts: Warden Theater, Philadelphia on 17 February 2024

Britten, The Rape of Lucretia

Academy of Vocal Arts

Robert Kahn, Conductor

Tara Faircloth, Director

Peter Harrison, Set Designer

Val Starr, Costume Designer

Jenny Anne Flory, Lucretia

Shawn Roth, Male Chorus

Emily Margevich, Female Chorus

Ethel Trujillo, Lucia

Monique Galvão, Bianca

Benjamin Dickerson, Tarquinius

Dylan Gregg, Collatinus

Nan Wang, Junius

Celebrating AVA’s 85th year: an outstanding Le nozze di Figaro

Susan Gould, 12th November

As part of its 85th season, Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts presented a Le nozze di Figaro excellent in voices, singing, acting, conducting, orchestra, direction, sets and costumes.

****1

“Arise, fair sun”: Gounod's Roméo et Juliette captivates

Susan Gould, 7th May

Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts Presents Gounod’s *Roméo et Juliette* with a fine young cast at the Haverford School.

*****

Superb AVA Puccini double bill in Philadelphia

Susan Gould, 8th November

Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts presents a wonderful Puccini double bill of Suor Angelica and Le villi.

*****

A totally groovy Così fan tutte from the AVA in Philadelphia

Gale Martin, 13th November

What is it about Mozart’s Così fan tutte that inspires the zaniest interpretations? While the music is lovely, replete with all those lush trios, quartets, and quintets that operagoers live for, the storyline is silly if not downright insipid.

****1

Big, beautiful voices power AVA's Ballo

Gale Martin, 8th May

“For some operas,” famed conductor Carlo Maria Giulini once said, “you can accept a voice of not absolute beauty – if it is well used and he is an artist and interpreter, it will work. But for Verdi you need all this plus the essential sound.

****1

Don Quichotte victorious at Philadelphia Academy

Gale Martin, 2nd March

As the legend goes, a noble cavalier loses his battle with giant windmills. But the Academy of Vocal Arts wins big with their latest production, Jules Massenet’s melodic Don Quichotte.

*****

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Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.