Lucine Amara Announces NJ Association Of Verismo Opera's International Vocal Competition Deadline Nears

Artistic Director Lucine Amara reminds vocalists of all ages worldwide to apply now to the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's 30th Annual International Vocal Competition. The application deadline is October 18, 2018.

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera), the house opera company of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), provides opportunities for artists to learn and perform in a professional environment with a live orchestra. The company offers a free master class to vocalists accepted to audition in the preliminary round. Finalists selected to perform in the vocal competition may attend three free four-hour master classes.

Ms. Amara, a Metropolitan Opera legend, and Evelyn La Quaif, an international soprano, teacher/coach and Stage Director/General of Verismo Opera, teach the master class. "Our free master classes provide artists the opportunity to learn deportment, language, style and presentation at auditions. The experience is crucial to advancing a singer's audition abilities and professional career," said Amara, who performed for 41 years with The Metropolitan Opera in over 1,000 performances in 56 roles.

Auditions

This year, the preliminary auditions take place at Shetler Studios, located at 244 West 54th Street in New York City, New York in the United States of America. The preliminary audition dates and times are November 1, 9, and 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and November 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The final auditions occur on December 11 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A professional pianist accompanies all vocalists participating in the preliminary and final auditions. Applicants may also bring their own accompanist.

At the preliminary auditions, a luminary panel of judges officiates, including Metropolitan Opera legend Lucine Amara; Maestra Lucy Arner, Music Director/Principal Conductor, New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera; and Evelyn La Quaif, General Manager and Stage Director, New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera. Upon request, the judges' comments are sent to all the preliminary participants and finalists.

Free Master Class

A free master class is offered to all applicants accepted to participate in the preliminary auditions. This free master class is offered on November 19 and again on November 21, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. These classes take place at Yeoryia Studios in the Otello Room on the fifth floor, located at 2067 Broadway, between 71st and 72nd Streets, in New York, New York.

Finalists selected to perform in the vocal competition may attend three four-hour free master classes. During the master classes led by Amara and La Quaif, artists learn deportment, language, style and presentation at auditions. Finalists also receive feedback and may be invited to perform in Verismo Opera's fully staged upcoming productions. Winners receive cash awards totaling $3,500 ($2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize and $500 third prize).

Application

All applicants are required to send an application, a resume, a bio, an MP3 file or a CD containing an aria recording, an 8 x 10 black and white photo, and the application fee. An application may be downloaded at http://bit.ly/NJAVO2018VCApplication. Applicants will be notified if they are accepted into the competition.

About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera

For 29 years, the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey, has been an integral part of the region's classical music culture. Led by Metropolitan Opera luminary Lucine Amara, Verismo Opera is the Bergen Performing Arts Center's house opera company. Verismo Opera provides performing opportunities for artists through semi-annual productions and concerts, directs an international vocal competition drawing artists worldwide, and organizes opera workshops and master classes.

For 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.

Photo: The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's 29th Annual International Vocal Competition with finalists and judges.