Verismo Opera's 27th Season Focuses on Family

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's 27th season is replete with the grandeur of traditional opera. On March 10, the company's Bring the Family to the Opera initiative resumes its special ticket rates to see and enjoy the new productions of Amilcare Ponchelli's rarely seen La Gioconda on April 17 and Giuseppe Verdi's timeless work Rigoletto on October 23. Both operas will be presented at 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

Met Opera legend Lucine Amara, Artistic Director of Verismo Opera, invites people to bring their family, friends and especially children to see these classic operas presented live on the stage. "The Bring the Family to the Opera program seeks to introduce children and their extended families to grand opera and classical music that they can experience together. Everyone likes to dress up and pretend they are in another land. Children will enjoy our performances presented in a real theatre with full staging and vocalists appearing in period costumes singing in another language," said Amara.

The operas will be fully staged and performed with the complete cast under the direction of General Manager and Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif. A live orchestra will accompany these operas under the baton of the company's new Principal Conductor and Music Director, Cuban born Lucy Arner. The Verismo Opera Chorus will perform in Italian under the direction of Chorus Director and Associate Conductor Mara Waldman. La Gioconda will be presented with original sets created by the great stage designer, Sormani, whose artistry graces every major opera house in the world.

Special Ticket Rates

Verismo Opera's Bring the Family to the Opera Program announces special ticket offers to see the company's full production of La Gioconda on April 17, 2016. A special 40% off rate on $55 and $45 tickets with promotion code (GIO1) is available only on March 10, 11 and 12, 2016.

Special ticket rate offers for senior citizens and children are available from March 10 through October 23 to see La Gioconda or Rigoletto. Senior citizens purchasing regular-priced tickets are entitled to a 10% discount. The company is offering a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under. These special rates may not be combined with other offers.

These offers 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. Special ticket rates are not available online. All special ticket offers must be requested before the purchase.

Group Rates

Group discounts are available on $55 and $45 tickets only with a minimum purchase of 10 tickets. For special group rates only, call 201-224-2809. This discount is not available online.

Regularly priced tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.bergenpac.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person 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.

The theatre is handicapped accessible. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available. For information about bergenPAC's Accessibility Services, contact the theatre's Americans With Disabilities Coordinator at (201) 816-8160, extension 31.

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., and Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund.

About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera

For 27 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.

As the Bergen Performing Arts Center's house opera company, Verismo Opera provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists through its semi-annual productions at the theatre 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, 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.