Lucine Amara Announces Verismo Opera to Conclude 26th Season with Lucia di Lammermoor on October 18

The Bergen Performing Arts Center's (bergenPAC) house opera company, the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera), will conclude its 26th season with Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. The tragic, dramatic work in the bel canto style will be performed on Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. at the theatre, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey.

Under Artistic Director Lucine Amara, the only grand opera company in Bergen County, New Jersey, will bring this dark, romantic tale of family honor, betrayal and madness set in the Lammermuir Hills of Scotland in the 17th century to bergenPAC's stage for the second time in a decade. Stage Director and Canadian soprano Evelyn La Quaif will direct the fully staged production with the cast singing in Italian. Coloratura soprano Hea-Ran Kim from Ridgewood, New Jersey will perform the role of Lucia. The Bergen Record of New Jersey described her as "a phenomenon that must be heard to be believed".

This tour-de-force of Italian Romantic opera will be presented in three acts with the libretto by Salvadore Cammarano loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott's historical novel, The Bride of Lammermoor. English supertitles will be projected for the audience to follow.

Maestro Anthony Morss will conduct the Verismo Opera Orchestra for the last time. Morss, the company's Principal Conductor and Music Director for two decades, will step down at the end of the current season. Chorus Director Mara Waldman will direct the Verismo Opera Chorus comprised of singers from the region.

The complete cast will appear in period costumes designed by Costume Designer/Wardrobe Director Barbara Konig, Assistant Costumer Elaine McKhann and Costume Consultant Catherine Mirabella. Jeromy Hunt will return as Stage Manager and Adam Greene will join again the Verismo Opera staff as Lighting Director.

Purchase Tickets

Tickets may be purchased online at www.bergenpac.org, at the Bergen Performing Arts Center's (bergenPAC) box office, or by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW. The theatre is located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey.

Verismo Opera is committed to ensuring its programs and services are accessible to all. Street parking is available with designated handicapped parking spaces. bergenPAC is handicapped accessible. Hearing assist systems are available upon request to the house manager in the lobby. Members of the public requiring a special accommodation or with specific questions about the physical features of a facility where Verismo Opera performs may call (201) 886-0561 at least two weeks prior to the event.

Funding

The 2015 season is made possible, in part, with funds provided by the New Jersey Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grand funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. Other supporters include Children's Aid Foundation, Robert J. Campbell, MD, Cesare L. Santeramo, KSJ, Paul Weiss Matching Fund, The Gerda Lissner Foundation, Inc., Mary Casella Briggs Fund, and Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund.
About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera

For over 26 years, the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera has been an integral part of the region's classical music culture. Led by Metropolitan Opera luminary Lucine Amara, Verismo Opera delivers a rich, grand opera experience for performers and viewers.

The organization provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists through its semi-annual productions at the Bergen Performing Arts Center and concerts held in community settings. Community members are invited to get involved as supernumeraries and volunteers.

An annual international vocal competition is conducted in November with finals generally drawing artists throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Verismo Opera also organizes opera workshops, master classes and concerts and offers affordable, highly professional productions.

For more information about the nonprofit opera company, visit its web site, www.verismopera.org; follow the company on Facebook, http://bit.ly/9JXTP8, Twitter @NJVerismoOpera or Pinterest at http://bit.ly/1Du1wjY; or call (201) 886-0561.