Verismo Opera's 2015 Season to Feature CARMEN, LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR & More

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's 26th season is replete with the grandeur of traditional opera. The house opera company of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Georges Bizet's scintillating Carmen on Sunday, April 26, 2015 and Gaetano Donizetti's tragic melodrama Lucia di Lammermoor on Sunday, October 18, 2015. Special ticket rates are available beginning February 26 to see these professional productions. Both operas begin at 3 p.m. at bergenPAC, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

Met Opera legend Lucine Amara, Artistic Director of Verismo Opera, encourages the public to bring the family and especially children to see these classic operatic standards. "These traditional operas tell stories that will entertain everyone -- from opera fans to newcomers. Carmen and Lucia di Lammermoor provide an opportunity to introduce children to the splendors of complete professional productions. They will enjoy our performances presented in a real theatre with full staging and vocalists appearing in period costumes singing in another language.

Audiences will hear beautiful music frequently heard in other settings that may be familiar to them provided by a live orchestra. Plus, Verismo Opera's special ticket rates make this an affordable activity for everyone in the family to enjoy," said Amara, who is celebrating a milestone 90th birthday this year and over 70 years as a diva performing on the stage.

Set in Seville, Spain, Verismo Opera presents the dramatic opera Carmen, featuring the audacious gypsy, Carmen, as she seduces Don Jose, who foolishly throws aside his honor and betrothed, Micaela, to lust after the gypsy siren. Bizet's immortal opera with its familiar arias is seductive, unfolding with emotions of lust, jealousy, despair, wild passions, and the desperate courage of Micaela.

The dark, romantic tale of family honor, betrayal and madness in Lucia di Lammermoor returns to bergenPAC. See Lucia's chilling, blood-spattered reappearance at the wedding reception, one of the most iconic scenes in opera. This powerful, dramatic classic is the gleaming jewel in opera's bel canto crown.

The operas will be fully staged and performed with the complete cast in costume under the direction of General Manager and Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif. A live orchestra will accompany these resplendent operas under the baton of internationally renowned Principal Conductor and Music Director Anthony Morss. Drawing vocalists from the New York and New Jersey region, the Verismo Opera Chorus and Verismo Opera Children's Chorus under Chorus Director and Associate Conductor Mara Waldman will sing in French in Carmen. The Verismo Opera Chorus returns in October to sing in Italian in Lucia di Lammermoor.

bergenPAC is handicapped accessible. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available. Patrons requiring a special accommodation should call (201) 886-0561 at least two weeks before each production.

Verismo Opera's Bring the Family to the Opera Program announces special ticket offers to see the company's full production of Carmen on April 26, 2015. A special 40% off rate on $55 and $45 tickets with promotion code (CR1) is available on February 26, 27 and 28, 2015 only.

Special ticket rate offers for senior citizens and children are available from February 26 through October 18 to see Carmen or Lucia di Lammermoor. 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.

Purchase special rate tickets 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 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.

Regular priced tickets are now on sale 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.

Photo Credit: Marilyn Monsanto

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