NJ Association of Verismo Opera to Hold Open Auditions; Application Deadline 6/15

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's application deadline to audition for the 2015-2016 is quickly approaching! New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Artistic Director Lucine Amara invites soloists in all vocal categories to audition for roles in the professional opera company's 2016 productions. The application deadline is Monday, June 15. New Jersey residents are encouraged to apply.

Solo roles are available in the company's debut of Amilcare Ponchielli's La Gioconda and Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto. Open auditions will be held Monday, June 22; Tuesday, June 23; and Wednesday, June 24 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Performing Arts School of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 1 Depot Square, in Englewood, New Jersey.

Verismo Opera, the house opera company of bergenPAC, concludes its 26th season with Lucia di Lammermoor on October 18, 2015. The company will open the 27th season with La Gioconda on Sunday, April 17, 2016 and Rigoletto on Sunday, October 23, 2016. All of the productions will be presented at 3:00 p.m. at bergenPAC.

Verismo Opera will present these grand operas fully staged with a live orchestra and chorus. "Vocalists will experience working and performing on the stage in a professional production. This is also a great opportunity for any promising, young artist to prepare for a role in a professional setting before being engaged by a major opera company," said Ms. Amara.

AUDITIONS

Open auditions will be held for all roles in La Gioconda with the exception of Gioconda. Vocalists are invited to apply to audition for all roles in Rigoletto.

All applicants must have previous experience in a fully staged production and the necessary vocal training to perform leading or supporting roles. The application deadline to audition is June 15, 2015. New Jersey residents are encouraged to apply. Although an accompanist will be provided, applicants may bring their own. For an audition appointment, call 201-886-0561 or send an e-mail to info@verismopera.org.

Applicants must submit a bio listing current or past performances and roles sung, a resume, photo and an audio file, preferably in an MP3 format or on a CD, by the application deadline to Verismo Opera Inc., P.O. Box 3024, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024-9024 or to info@verismopera.org. Vocalists should prepare to perform three arias of which one must be from La Gioconda or Rigoletto.

A refundable $25 deposit must be submitted with all applications to secure an audition time. The deposit will be refunded at the audition time. Checks should be made out to Verismo Opera.

The selected vocalists will receive free coaching from professionals in the field, including Artistic Director Lucine Amara, a Met Opera legend, and General Manager/Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif. Professional photos and a DVD of the production will be available to use for future engagements and performances.

The audition site and theatre are handicapped accessible. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available. Vocalists requiring a special accommodation should call (201) 886-0561 at least two weeks before the audition.

About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera - For 26 years, 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, visit Verismo Opera's web site, www.verismopera.org; like the company on Facebook, http://bit.ly/9JXTP8; get updates on Twitter @NJVerismoOpera; follow the opera company on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/LuhrsAssoc/; or call (201) 886-0561.

Pictured: New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's production Rigoletto. Photo by Marilyn Monsanto.

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