Annual prize recognizes American singer on the threshold of international opera career

PHILADELPHIA (April 30, 2009) – University of the Arts graduate Stephen Costello ’03 (Voice) has been named the winner of the 2009 Richard Tucker Award, a $30,000 prize that recognizes an American singer considered to be on the threshold of a significant, international opera career.

“We are really thrilled to give this award to Stephen, who is blessed with a wonderful voice, charisma, and real musical artistry and imagination,” said Tucker Music Foundation President Barry Tucker. “I know he will make the foundation very proud as he makes his career.”

Conferred annually since 1978 by the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, the winner is chosen by a distinguished panel of opera professionals and named in honor of the late American tenor who many believe was the greatest American-born, American-trained tenor of the post-World War II era. Previous recipients include Renée Fleming, Deborah Voigt, David Daniels, Stephanie Blythe, Joyce DiDonato, Christine Goerke, Matthew Polenzani and Lawrence Brownlee.

A native of Northeast Philadelphia, Costello attended Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA), one of the country’s most prestigious vocal training grounds, after graduating from the University of the Arts. He is currently singing the role of Rinuccio in the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s “Gianni Schicchi,” which runs through May 3 at the Academy of Music. He stars beside his real-life wife and fellow AVA graduate Ailyn Pérez, an accomplished soprano who is also beginning an international career. The pair recently performed opposite each other in the leading roles of Michigan Opera Theatre’s “The Elixir of Love.”

He made his Opera Orchestra of New York debut in “Guillaume Tell” and his professional stage debut as Rodolfo with Fort Worth Opera. But his career took off in 2007 when he made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the supporting role of Arturo in the season-opening production of “Lucia di Lammermoor.” After that debut, Met Opera Music Director James Levine asked Costello to step into the leading role of Edgardo for a performance later in the run. Since then, he has performed in leading roles with Deutsche Opera Berlin, Dallas Opera and the Salzburg Festival with Maestro Riccardo Muti.

Costello’s upcoming schedule is filled with dates on some of the world’s most prestigious opera stages. He will have his debut at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to open the 2009-2010 Season; make a return to the Metropolitan Opera; and debut with Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, the Glyndebourne Festival and Wiener Staatsoper. He will take on the role of Ishmael in the world premiere of Jake Heggie’s “Moby Dick” to open the new opera house for Dallas Opera, and he returns to the Opera Company of Philadelphia in a leading role in the 2010-2011 Season.

The University of the Arts is the nation’s first and only university dedicated to the visual, performing and communication arts. Its 2,300 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs on its campus in the heart of Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. The institution’s roots as a leader in educating creative individuals date back to 1868.


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