The Ebell of Los Angeles is proud to partner with the Association of African American Leaders in Opera (AALAO) for the Michael Melton Memorial Fall Recital. AALAO is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing opportunities and visibility for Black artists in opera through scholarships, mentorship, and performance. This annual recital honors the legacy of Michael Melton, a beloved educator and mentor whose commitment to nurturing young singers shaped countless careers.

‍

This year’s program features baritone Vinicius Costa alongside pianist and coach Julian Garvue.

‍

Vinicius Costa is from Sao Paulo, Brazil. At LA Opera he has performed the roles of Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly (2024, debut); Duke of Verona in Romeo and Juliet (2024); Jose Tripaldi in Ainadamar (2025); Count Ceprano in Rigoletto (2025); Aye in Akhnaten (2025); Pistol in Falstaff (2026); Speaker in The Magic Flute (2026). He joined the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program in 2024.

‍

Julian Garvue is a pianist/coach from Seattle, Washington. Currently, he is in his second year with LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein program, and this year he will work as a rehearsal pianist on LAO's productions of West Side Story, Akhnaten, and Falstaff.

‍