New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera to Hold Open House, 1/23

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera), the house opera company of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), will hold its New Year Open House on Saturday, January 23. The annual event will be held at 44 Armory Street in Englewood, New Jersey at 2:00 p.m.

Artistic Director Lucine Amara invites the public to attend the free event and learn more about the grand opera company's new season. The program will feature vocalists performing arias and duets from Verismo Opera's upcoming 2016 season and past productions.

Opportunities will be discussed to get involved in the nonprofit opera company as supernumeraries acting in non-speaking and non-singing roles, volunteers working behind-the-scenes, and singers performing in the Verismo Opera Chorus. Exhibits will display memorabilia, photos, posters and other items from Verismo Opera's 25 plus year history producing grand operas, sponsoring an annual international vocal competition, presenting concerts, holding master classes, giving operalogues, and training the stars of tomorrow.

To continue the grand opera company's work, the Verismo Opera Boutique will feature a range of fine items. Among the products available for purchase will be CDs from opera stars, DVDs of Verismo Opera productions, books about opera and biographies of prominent singers, large photo posters personally signed by Lucine Amara, and other items. Funds raised will be used to support the volunteer chorus.

The Open House will introduce the company's new and first female Principal Conductor and Music Director, Maestra Lucy Arner. Ms. Amara, Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif, Associate Conductor/Chorus Director Mara Waldman, and President Dr. James Garvin, MD will discuss Verismo Opera's mission, vision, history and opportunities to get involved in the nonprofit opera company's productions, concerts, operalogues, workshops, and office.

During 2016, the company will premiere Amilcare Ponchielli's La Gioconda on April 17 and present Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto on October 16. Both productions will be performed at bergenPAC, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey, at 3:00 p.m.

The Open House site is handicapped accessible. A parking lot has a designated handicapped parking space. The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera is committed to ensuring its programs and services are accessible to all. 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 2016 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.

For further information about the program or Verismo Opera, call (201) 886-0561 or send an e-mail to info@verismopera.org.

About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera

For over a quarter century, 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, and Twitter @NJVerismoOpera; or call (201) 886-0561.

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