Home » Arts and Entertainment Articles » New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera to Present Verdi's Grand Opera, Il Trovatore,
at Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ
New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera to Present Verdi's Grand Opera, Il Trovatore,
at Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ
An international cast of stars from Mexico, Argentina, Ukraine, Canada, the continental United States, and Puerto Rico will perform on April 20 and 22. Special children's ticket rates and time-limited discount tickets are available.
FORT LEE, NJ, February 19, 2012 /AE PR News/ -- The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) brings back one of Giuseppe Verdi's most mysterious, melodramatic operas, Il Trovatore, on Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 22, 3:00 p.m., to the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.
Verismo Opera, the only professional, grand opera company based in North Jersey, presents Antonio Garcia Gutierrez' powerful tragedy, El Trovador, filled with mystery, suspense, vengeance, death, and even love to the stage with an international cast dressed in full period costumes. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, Salvatore Cammarano's libretto will be performed in four acts with beautiful New York City set designs and a full orchestra.
Set in Old Spain, Verdi's impassioned thriller shows powerful emotions twist the hearts and minds of the lead characters Leonora, Manrico and Conte di Luna, as fate slowly deals each a lethal hand. Evelyn La Quaif's intense stage direction leads the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, emphasizing throughout traditional Verdian opera.
La Quaif promises this production remains true to Verdi's interpretation. "The difficulty directing Il Trovatore is to project the historic, heroic nature of that era's people. Verdi brilliantly understood and conveyed each character's almost stoic dedication to respect, loyalty, and heroism. Unfortunately, these qualities often appear fake by today's standards, making the period's true Spanish nature difficult to project correctly on the stage. My interpretation presents real, three-dimensional characters. This production will unveil a surprise ending never seen before on stage," she said.
"Having sung Leonora in Il Trovatore many times at the Metropolitan Opera, I know this opera, the difficulties, and the enormous talent required to attempt this undertaking. Tenor Roberto Esquivelzeta not only sings a high C but he carries it for several seconds. This production will be stunning, and I can't wait to see this opera myself!" explained Artistic Director/Metropolitan Opera star Lucine Amara.
International Cast of Stars
An international cast of singers has been assembled starring Mexican tenor Roberto Esquivelzeta's debut with the company in the lead as Manrico. Canadian soprano Sharon Azrieli Perez returns to Verismo Opera to debut the role of Leonora, marking her second performance with the company after her triumphant appearance as Aida last year. Baritone Gustavo Ahualli from Argentina, who previously appeared as Silvio in the company's production of Pagliacci, will perform the part of Conte Di Luna, a role he recently performed with Argentina's Teatro San Martin.
Other singers returning to Verismo Opera are mezzo-soprano Galina Ivannikova as Azucena, a role she previously performed in her native Ukraine. Bass-baritone Steven Fredericks from New Jersey plays Ferrando, a role he performed with Maestro Anton Coppola. In 2010, Fredericks appeared as Sparafucile in Verismo Opera's well received production of Rigoletto. The company also welcomes back tenor Joel Cardona performing the role of Ruiz and New York soprano Jasmine Thomas in the role of Inez. Cardona debuted with Verismo Opera as Spoletta in the 2011 production of Tosca and Thomas joined the company last year as the Priestess in Aida.
The new production is directed once again by Evelyn la Quaif. Principal Conductor and Music Director, Anthony Morss, conducts the full opera orchestra and chorus. Mara Waldman, Chorus Director, returns to lead the Verismo Opera Chorus. Costumes are designed by Catherine Mirabella and Barbara Konig. Gerald Cassese designed the period sets.
Special Ticket Offers for Children and Fans
"As our mission involves educating and introducing youth to the joy of fine music, Verismo Opera is delighted to offer for children, ages 12 and under, a special $10 ticket rate. This ticket offer is only available through the bergenPAC box office," explained Amara.
Verismo Opera is offering a special two-for-one sale on tickets priced at $55 and $45 ONLY on February 23, 24, and 25. The code for this special offer is "TROV1". Discount tickets may be ordered only through the box office and are not available online. Tickets may be purchased in person at the bergenPAC box office, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays or by calling (201) 227-1030.
Full-priced tickets may be purchased online at www.bergenpac.org, at the bergenPAC box office, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW. For special rates for group sales, call (201) 224-2809.
Funding
Il Trovatore 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 Mary Casella Briggs Memorial Fund, The Gerda Lissner Foundation, Inc., Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund, Children's Aid Foundation, Paul Weiss Matching Fund, Robert J. Campbell, MD and Cesare L. Santeramo, KSJ.
About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera
The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera has been a part of the New Jersey music scene since 1989. The nonprofit, tax-exempt organization is the only professional opera company in Bergen County and northern New Jersey. The organization provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists and sponsors an annual vocal competition held in November with finals generally conducted in Carnegie's Weill Hall, drawing artists from all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company also organizes opera workshops and offers affordable, highly professional operatic productions in the community.
Verismo Opera is recognized for providing up and coming performing artists with the training to attain a successful operatic career. Several singers, notably Richard Hobson, Frank Poretta, Emmanuel di Villarosa, James Valenti and Irina Rindzuner of the Metropolitan Opera, started their road to success by performing in its productions.
For more information, visit the organization's web site, join its Facebook page at http://bit.ly/9JXTP8, or call (201) 886-0561.
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Press Release Contact Information:
Gianni Simone
NJ Association of Verismo Opera
President
P.O. Box 3024
Fort Lee, New Jersey
USA 07024-9024
Voice: 201-886-0561
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