Early last week, The Preston & Steve Show had said that they would love to see an operatic version of the classic “Fly, Eagles Fly” fight song. Well, they got out wish when the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) stopped by the studio.
Fly Eagles Fly performed by @AVAOPERA #ItsAPhillyThing pic.twitter.com/XlGHZw5JQY
— The Preston & Steve Show (@PrestonSteve933) January 27, 2023
Richard Troxell – a tenor opera singer, director, and alum of the AVA – led a group with members from around the world in the grandiose performance. Beyond the live rendition of “Fly, Eagles Fly,” Richard and the singers talked all things opera with us. We put in a few requests for live versions of famous opera songs, and the AVA singers happily obliged. Those performances blew us away!
A funny little thing that was pointed out was that most of the people in the studio during the interview learned opera songs from cartoons they watched as kids. As for current youth interested in opera, Richard is not surprised that they exist. To him, it is fascinating, and he thinks that opera as an art form will never get boring or fall out of the public consciousness.
Coming off of a major winter season, the AVA’s spring line-up will be kicking off with a rendition of Don Pasquale that is loaded with local flavor. “[S]et in mid-60s South Philadelphia, [the] production will evoke nostalgia for that time, from the golden age of the Italian Market to plastic covers on furniture. [Audiences will b]e transported back to this era of Dick Clark’s Bandstand, Frankie Avalon, and Wilt Chamberlin on the Sixers. Have Sunday night dinner with the Italian family that you never knew you wanted (or needed!) in your life.”
We send a big thank you to Richard and the members of the Academy of Vocal arts for making the operatic “Fly, Eagles Fly” for happening, and we can definitely say it is going to be put to good use. After all, it has already been played to introduce Michael Barkann on the show the day after the Eagles win. Go Birds!