Jason C. Tramm Conducts Amore Opera's LA BOHEME, Beginning Tonight

Jason Tramm, Artistic Director and principal conductor of the Morristown based MidAtlantic Opera will lead the Amore Opera orchestra , chorus and featured soloists in Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème, arguably the world's most beloved opera. Directed by Nathan Hull, Amore Opera's fully staged production, with original sets designed by Richard Cerullo (for lower Manhattan's famed impresario Anthony Amato) opens tonight, December 18th and runs for 8 performances through January 3rd in the intimate 275 seat Loreto Theatre at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture in New York City.

A holiday favorite often referred to as the greatest story ever sung, La Bohème is the passionate and timeless story of love among young artists set in Paris's 1840's Latin Quarter. The action of the opera opens on Christmas Eve reflecting a time, not unlike the present, where the idealistic principal characters - a poet, painter, philosopher, musician, seamstress and singer - juggle the demands of art, life and love while attempting to establish their professionally identity in an economically challenged world.

While Puccini's 1896 opera, based on the novel "Scènes de la vie de bohème" written by Henri Murger in 1851, depicts a Paris of diminished opportunities due to the upheavals of revolution and war, the struggles of the Bohemians are those clearly recognizable in any age. "Puccini's genius is his ability to interweave orchestration and aria, exquisitely illuminating the emotional reality of his characters as they express the beauty, idealism and vulnerability of youth. He continues to speak to audiences across the decades", said Tramm "From La Bohème's very first note to the last, Puccini holds you in the palm of his hand."

Tramm welcomed the opportunity to conduct the Amore Opera's production of La Bohème because of "vision of director Nathan Hull" (and his mentor, the late Anthony Amato) and the musical challenge the production presents. "Amore Opera's La Bohème is boldly conceived, a direct contrast to the magnificent Franco Zeffirelli production concurrently staged at the Met. Its success depends on Nathan's confidence to rely upon the intimacy of the story, the intimacy of the space and the ability to focus on Puccini's music directly, without the distraction of overwhelming pageantry" said Tramm. "Often with La Bohème critics are quick to point out the wooden nature of performances or a lack of chemistry between lovers - a common liability of productions whose visual complexity and sets can impose upon the live performance, often at the expense of the most accomplished singers and musicians." Tramm added, our "Our Village location, the emerging artists seen in this production have a great deal in common with Puccini's characters and setting - and that parallel resonates with audiences."

Soprano Carolina Castells as Mimi, tenor Steven Tompkins as Rodolfo, bass Jonathan Scott as Marcello, soprano Victoria Wefer as Musetta, baritone Ryan Lathan as Schaunard and bass Issac Grier as Colline are among the artists that bring Amore Opera's 2015 production to life.

Conductor Jason C. Tramm's work in the symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire has received acclaim both nationally and internationally. Noted productions under his baton include a world premiere of the Gershwin's Porgy and Bess in Tirana, Albania; the MidAtlantic Opera Company's inaugural production of Verdi's Rigoletto in 2014 and their mainstage production "Verdiana" in honor of the Verdi Bicentennial. During his tenure as Artistic Director of the New Jersey State Opera from 2008-2012 Tramm's performances included the 75th anniversary production of the Gershwin's Porgy and Bess at Newark's Symphony Hall and the 2009 HDTV broadcast presentation with PBS affiliate NJN, of "Verdi Requiem: Live from Ocean Grove which garnered a regional Emmy Award nomination. Since 2006 Tramm has held the position of Director of Music Ministries for the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, where he conducts both sacred and secular works. National broadcasts from the historic 6,500 seat Great Auditorium, home to the magnificent Hope - Jones Organ have included Léon Boëllmann's Fantasie-Dialogue for Organ and Orchestra, Op. 35 with Gordon Turk, organ; Rittenhouse Orchestra and Alexandre Guilmant's Symphony Number 1 in d for Organ and Orchestra presented by American Public Media's classical music show "Pipe Dreams", aired locally on New York's classical music station WQXR.

In October 2015 Tramm made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in "A Prayer for Peace" featuring the works of Behzad Ranjbaran (Elegy for Cello and Strings), Leonard Bernstein (Chichester Psalms), Vaughan Williams (Dona Nobis Pacem) and Adnan Saygun (Selections from Yunis Emre). Recently appointed Artistic Advisor and conductor of the Adelphi Orchestra (Oradell, NJ), Tramm will conduct three performances in the company's 2015-16 Season, including a June 9th Gala performance at Merkin Hall in NYC.

An accomplished educator, Tramm serves on the faculty at Seton Hall University as Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities, College of Communication and the Arts where he leads the University Choir, Chamber Choir, Orchestra, and teaches voice and conducting.

Photo credit by John Gladitsch