November 1, 2016
AVA’s 2006 production of Rigoletto featured no fewer than four future Richard Tucker Award winners in the production: James Valenti, Michael Fabiano and Stephen Costello all split the role of the Duke with Ailyn Pérez singing Gilda. Jeffrey Halili sang the role of the Duke’s courtier, Borsa and Nicole Piccolomini sang Maddelena.
Mr. Fabiano – who went on to reprise the role of the Duke for Opera National de Paris in 2016 – also joined future Beverly Sills Artist award winner Bryan Hymel in the chorus on some evenings. Mr. Hymel made his house debut with Deutsche Oper Berlin last season as The Duke.
Mr. Costello has reprised the Duke for Teatro Real in Madrid and the Metropolitan Opera in 2015 and Houston Grand Opera in 2014.
Mr. Valenti went on to reprise his Duke for Dallas Opera in 2011.
Ms. Pérez reprised her Gilda opposite Plácido Domingo at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London in 2011.
Mr. Halili reprised his Borsa for San Antonio Opera in 2010 and Ms. Piccolomini has reprised her Maddalena in Florence (2009), Chicago (2013), Caramoor (2014) and Santa Fe (2015).
James Valenti sings La donna è mobile in the 2006 AVA production
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Stephen Costello sings the Act II Cabaletta in the 2006 AVA production
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Alyn Pérez sings the love duet with James Valenti in the 2006 AVA production
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