Spiro Malas to Star as 'Benoit' in New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's LA BOHEME, 10/19 & 26

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, the only grand opera company in Bergen County, New Jersey, concludes its 25th anniversary season, Vive la France, with Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème. Artistic Director Lucine Amara announced the cast that will perform Puccini's renowned, romantic score on Sundays, October 19 and 26, 3:00 p.m., at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

Set in the backdrop of Paris, France, the audience hears Puccini's unmatched gift for melody. La Bohème tells the poignant story of simple joy and heartbreak among a group of young Parisian artists in this universally popular classic. Under the direction of Stage Director and Canadian soprano Evelyn La Quaif, the fully staged production presents the cast singing in Italian with English supertitles provided. Verismo Opera presents the production in four acts to the Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.

Spiro Malas as Benoit - Bass baritone Spiro Malas, a Drama Desk award nominee and television actor in several TV shows, including Sex and the City and Law & Order, will debut with Verismo Opera and perform the role of Benoit. Malas has performed with the Met Opera in La Bohème, Tosca, Die Fledermaus, Der Rosenkavalier, among others. He also performed with Boston Opera, Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Miami Opera, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera and Seattle Opera. His television credits include Sex and the City and Law & Order. On his Drama Desk Award nominated performance of Tony Esposito in the Broadway play, The Most Happy Fella, Frank Rich of the New York Times stated: "As acted by Mr. Malas, Tony's inner growth and redemption become the very soul of musical drama, especially as delineated in one gorgeous Loesser song after another."

CAST

October 19th Performance. Canadian soprano Sharon Azrieli Perez returns to Verismo Opera and performs the role of Mimi. Previously, she appeared with the company as Aida in Aida and Leonora in Il Trovatore. Andrew Porter from The New Yorker described her as "a mistress of merry inflections, piquant phrasing, and pointed words."

Azrieli Perez will be joined by tenor José Heredia performing the role of Rodolfo in his first appearance with Verismo Opera. A native of the Dominican Republic, Heredia made his professional oratorio debut at the Cadet Chapel in West Point, New York singing Handel's Messiah and completed concert tours throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Italy and Korea.

Young Joo An, the second prize winner in the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's 2013 Annual International Vocal Competition, debuts with Verismo Opera as Marcello. Verismo Opera welcomes baritone Gustavo Morales in the role of Schaunard and newcomers soprano Jeanai La Vita as Musetta and bass Thomas Goldstein as Colline.

October 26th Performance. Soprano StacyLyn Bennett, who previously appeared as Cio-Cio-San in Verismo Opera's 2012 production of Madama Butterfly, will assume the role of Mimi. Tenor Edgar Jaramillo performs the role of Rodolfo, having first appeared with the company as Turiddu in its production of Cavalleria Rusticana. Previously, he performed the role of Rodolfo with Opera Manhattan Repertory and Operesque Classical Concerts in New York City.

Baritone Jonathan Scott returns to the Verismo Opera stage this fall to perform the role of Marcello. Scott, a finalist in the 2013 New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Annual International Vocal Competition, performed as Giorgio Germont in the company's April 2014 production of La Traviata. Verismo Opera welcomes soprano Justyna Giermola as Musetta and baritone Kevin Grace as Schaunard.

Bass-baritone Hyong Sik Jo will premiere with Verismo Opera as Colline. His son, 12-year-old Sehjin Jo, will make his operatic debut as A Boy in the second act and perform on October 19 and 26.

Vocalists appearing on both days are bass baritone Spiro Malas, as Benoit; bass Jonathan Dauerman, as Alcindoro; bass Joshua Miller, Custom Sergeant and James Haugham as Parpignol.

A live orchestra performs under the baton of Principal Conductor/Music Director Anthony Morss. Associate Conductor/Chorus Director Mara Waldman directs the Verismo Opera Chorus. The cast performs in period costumes designed by Catherine Mirabella and Barbara Konig.

Verismo Opera's Bring the Family to the Opera Program announces special discount ticket offers to see the company's full production of La Bohème on October 19 and 26, 2014. A discount 30% off on tickets priced at $55 and $45 (Code BO2) is available only on October 2, 3, and 4, 2014. Discount ticket rates for senior citizens, ages 65 and over, and children, ages 12 and under, are available now through October 26, 2014 to see La Bohème. Senior citizens, ages 65 and over, purchasing regular-priced tickets on non-sale dates are entitled to a 10% discount.

During this 25th anniversary year, Verismo Opera continues its tradition of introducing youngsters to classical opera and music. The company is offering a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under, when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult to see La Bohème on October 19 or October 26, 2014. This discount offer is available from September 11 through October 26.

Special ticket offers are not available online and may be purchased only at bergenPAC's box office, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW. All special ticket offers must be requested before the purchase.

Group discounts are available on $55 and $45 tickets only with a minimum purchase of 50 tickets. For special group rates only, call 201-224-2809. This discount is not available online.

bergenPAC is handicapped accessible. Upon request to the house manager, hearing assist systems are available in bergenPAC's lobby.

About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera - For 25 years, the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (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, tax-exempt organization, visit Verismo Opera's web site, www.verismopera.org; follow the company on Facebook, http://bit.ly/9JXTP8, or Twitter @NJVerismoOpera; or call (201) 886-0561.

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