We’re thrilled to announce that newly signed Opus Imprints composer, Raphael Fusco, has won the 2025 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Art Song Composition Award for his work Love Songs From a Third Floor Walk-Up. Fusco will receive a cash prize and his composition will be performed at the 59th NATS conference on July 3-7, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
Love Songs From a Third Floor Walk-Up is a set of five songs for medium high voice and piano. The text is written by Caitlin Vincent. This piece is available for pre-order and will be shipped out or delivered (both printed sheet music and digital delivery options available) June 25, 2025.
Opus Imprints will be adding more of Fusco's works to his catalog in the coming weeks and we couldn't be more thrilled to be publishing his work going forward.
In response to the win, and in an interview with NATS, Fusco goes on to say:
“Love Songs from a Third Floor Walk-Up follows one person’s journey in learning to navigate the challenges of living with a partner,” Fusco explained. “From arguing over wall colors to dealing with each other’s annoying habits and managing cooking disasters, the protagonist ultimately realizes that perfection is simply cuddling up with their loved one and enjoying each other’s company on a broken IKEA couch.”
Fusco originally reached out to lyricist Caitlin Vincent to work on a new opera libretto, but she suggested they test the waters with a song before diving into a large project. Out of that collaboration, the song Just Another Day was born first and the others soon followed.
“Caitlin is one of the most in-demand lyricists of our time,” Fusco said. “And when you read her work, you immediately understand why. Her writing is authentic — no frills or gimmicks — funny yet lyrical, emotionally engaging, and full of contemporary imagery we can all relate to. She’s incredibly intelligent and a trained singer herself, which means she knows how to craft text that sings — a rare gift.”
The two are continuing to work together on a new opera. Fusco also wanted to thank many others for their continued support.
“I am incredibly grateful to Lori Laitman and NATS for creating this opportunity for composers of art song,” he added. “From my first honorable mention in 2010 for Unsolicited Advice to second prize in 2023 for Quarantine Camp, and now first prize, this competition has continually pushed me to strive for excellence and has allowed me to create some of my strongest work. I’d like to thank the amazing sopranos Alexis Merry, Johanna Will, Julia Johnson, and Katharine Dain, who lent me their talents and joined me in the sandbox to help develop this cycle. It’s also the culmination of my doctoral research on emotional resonance and empathy in vocal music at the Kunstuniversität Graz, so I would be remiss not to thank my advisors — Tom Cipullo, Michael Edgerton, Ulf Bästlein, and Deniz Peters — for their invaluable guidance. Finally, my deepest thanks go to my wife and muse, mezzo-soprano Eva Maria Summerer, who keeps me inspired and searching for the best in life every day.”