Sotto Voce opera collective and the Avanti Orchestra present Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, at Asbury Hall on Friday August 14th, 2026 at 7pm and Sunday August 16th, 2026, at 7pm.

FIDELIO tells a timeless story of transcendent love and heroism. Leonore - the wife of a political prisoner - disguises herself as the young boy, Fidelio, in order to befriend her husband's captors. When the moment is right, she will fight for his freedom, at great personal risk!

This exciting Sotto Voce production features a combination of local, national, and international vocal talent, and showcases the power of bel canto singing. The thrilling playing of Buffalo's own Avanti orchestra brings Beethoven's marvelous orchestral writing to life. Two original short films by Director Alex Huddleston will accompany the opera's two Overtures and will enrich the audience’s understanding of the drama. 

The music will be sung in German, with spoken dialogue in English, all with English subtitles. 

PRODUCTION TEAM

Stage & Film Director: Alex Huddleston (Buffalo, NY)

Conductor: Mason Cancilla (Buffalo, NY)

Choral Director: Holly Bewlay (Buffalo, NY)

Accompanist: TBA

CAST

Leonore: Amanda Santos (Lawrence, NJ)

Florestan: Danny Leclerc (Montreal, Canada)

Pizarro: Pengyu Yang (East Lansing, MI)

Marzelline: Jessie Downs (Buffalo, NY)

Rocco: Tim Flynn (Buffalo, NY)

Jaquino: Robert Flora (Philadelphia, PA)

Don Fernando: Theodore Chang (Great Neck, NY)

Tenor Prisoner: TBA

Bass Prisoner: Anthony Bellisimo (Buffalo, NY)

CHORAL LEADERS/ COVERS

Leonore Cover: Christen May Mayer (Oklahoma City, OK)

Leonore Second Cover: TBA

Florestan Cover: TBA

Pizarro Cover: Theodore Chang (Great Neck, NY)

Marzelline Cover: Jessica Moss (Rochester, NY)

Rocco Cover: TBA

Jaquino Cover: TBA

Don Fernando Cover: Anthony Bellisimo (Buffalo, NY)

Tenor Prisoner Cover: TBA

Bass Prisoner Cover: Michael Warner (Buffalo, NY)

with the Avanti! Festival ORCHESTRA & CHORUS!