Grand Passions

Fri., Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999; Sat., Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., Walter K. Gordon Theater, Third and Pearl streets, Camden, N.J., 856-225-2700; Tue., Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m., Centennial Hall, Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, 215-735-1685, $45-$80, avao

by David Shengold

opera

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These days, there's a worldwide shortage of qualified candidates to sing the once-standard works by the two kingpins of "red sauce" Italian opera, Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) and Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924). Help may well be on the way from some of the promising young vocalists training at the Academy of Vocal Arts, heard together this week in staged operatic scenes. Verdi's Un ballo in maschera (1859) and La forza del destino (1862) are some of his most romantic, melodic scores. The former's Act III, Scene I features two magnificent arias plus a sensational quintet. The second act of Manon Lescaut (1893), Puccini's first international success, features two highly contrasted soprano arias and a fantastic, smoldering love duet. Among many gifted singers, expect sparks from fledgling divas Angela Meade and Takesha Meshé Kizart and rising tenors Michael Fabiano and Bryan Hymel.

Fri., Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999; Sat., Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., Walter K. Gordon Theater, Third and Pearl streets, Camden, N.J., 856-225-2700; Tue., Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m., Centennial Hall, Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, 215-735-1685, $45-$80, avaopera.org.