Jason Tramm Conducts Giacomo Puccini's Masterwork MADAMA BUTTERFLY in Concert 12/5 at SOPAC

Noted conductor Jason Tramm will lead the MidAtlantic Opera Orchestra with featured soloists and the Seton Hall Choir in a sumptuous concert production of Puccini's enigmatic masterwork "Madama Butterfly" at SOPAC December 5th at 7pm.

For this concert production Tramm assembles an inspired cast with soprano Indira Mahajan singing the title role of Madama Butterfly. Praised for her "strongly centered, richly textured soprano" by New York Magazine and her "poignant soprano" for her moving portrayals by The New York Times, Indira Mahajan has appeared in venues from Brazil to Malta, Russia to Austria as well as performances in her native New York City. The host of remarkable voices portraying the accompanying roles in this exotic tale of East meets West include tenor Errin Brooks as B.F. Pinkerton, the US Naval Lieutenant for whom Butterfly forsakes her culture and her family; mezzo soprano Michele Detwiler sings the role of Suzuki, Butterfly's devoted servant and confidante; tenor Jordan Pitts sings the role of Goro, an avaricious matchmaker; baritone Jonathan Scott, who made his Italian operatic debut in 2017 to critical acclaim in the title role Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi" sings the role of Sharpless, the United States consul at Nagasaki; Eric Lindsay takes on both the roles of Butterfly's Uncle the Bonze and Prince Yamadori a suitor; and mezzo soprano Devony Smith sings Butterfly's rival Kate Pinkerton.

"The success of this opera is always driven by the performer singing Butterfly -one of the most demanding roles in the soprano repertory" Tramm said. "Not only is Butterfly constantly present onstage - she must express an astounding array of emotions to realize the singular character development achieved in the drama. The vocal abilities needed to convey this complex character are like no other in opera" said Tramm. "From her ethereal entrance, her passionate Act I love duet, to the person we see in her Act II dealings with Goro, her consummate aria "Un bel dì" to the emotional resignation she portrays in the last scene - she's got to have ability to to express it all" said Tramm.

Maestro Tramm's affinity for Puccini's enduringly beloved opera is apparent in Tramm's enthusiasm for Puccini's masterful vocal, choral and symphonic retelling of the Butterfly tale which began with John Luther Long's 1898 short story "Madame Butterfly" - as well as his upcoming performance schedule. In February 2018 Tramm embarks on a two week, fully staged tour of Madama Butterfly throughout Florida. Performances begin on February 8th at the Barbara Mann Auditorium (Fort Myers) and continue February 9th at the Peabody Auditorium (Daytona Beach), February 11th at Marina Civic Center (Panama City) and on February 16 at the Times-Union Center for the Arts (Jacksonville).

"Puccini's exquisite music reimagined and transcended Broadway impresario David Belasco's play said Tramm. "When Puccini first saw Belasco's one act production of "Madame Butterfly: A Tragedy of Japan" he didn't speak English, and could not understand a word of the script, yet the drama he experienced through Belasco's amazing technical innovations in visual staging immediately fueled Puccini's imagination" Tramm said. "For example, Belasco used electric lighting over 14 minutes to create Butterfly's painful vigil from light to dark to dawn. Puccini was absolutely moved by this experience. Puccini translated the impact of Belasco's staging into three equally extraordinary minutes of music known as the famous 'Humming Chorus.'

On December 5th the 'Humming Chorus' will showcase the talents of the Seton Hall Chorus, whom Tramm leads as SHU Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities, College of Communication and the Arts. In addition to this concert, the Seton Hall Chorus will join Maestro Tramm in performance on February, 25 2017 when Tramm conducts "Madama Butterfly at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center in New York.

"Madama Butterfly" marks the fifth operatic collaboration between Maestro Tramm, the MidAtlantic Opera and presenters - Seton Hall University Arts Council, the Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute and SHU's Classical Concert Series - underscoring Italian culture's universal relevance, inclusiveness and impact. Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" ranks as the fourth most frequently performed operas worldwide today.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

The Seton Hall University Arts Council supports the integral role of the arts in higher education and their universally recognized status as a hallmark of an educated and humane culture. The Council contributes to the cultural vitality of the campus and to the University's role in the greater community by fostering and promoting the visual, literary and performing arts, enhancing communication and collaboration among its members. In 2011-2012, the Arts Council continues its unique partnership with the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). Classical and jazz concerts and the Seton Hall Theatre productions are performed in SOPAC's intimate performance space. Walsh Gallery exhibitions, Poetry-in-the-Round and the Multicultural Film and Lecture Series are offered on Seton Hall's beautiful 58-acre campus.

Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute

The Alberto Institute was founded in 2003 thanks to the generous donation by Charles and Joan Alberto given in the support of the Italian Studies program at Seton Hall University. The Alberto Institute's mission is to spread the message of the universal relevance and inclusiveness of Italian contributions in the history of the world and of America, regardless of nationality or ethnic background. The Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute coordinates Seton Hall University's many activities relating to Italian and Italian American history and culture, sponsor cultural events and promotes curriculum development and community outreach. The Institute coordinates the University's many activities relating to Italian and Italian American history and culture, which include Joseph M. and Geraldine C. La Motta Lecture Series, the on-campus academic programs related to Italian studies, and the Summer Study Abroad program in Rome

The Classical Concert Series presents world-class soloists and ensembles from around the globe. Blending education with artistry, the series offers preconcert lectures and workshops on a regular basis which are offered to students and the public free of charge. All concerts are at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. All Classical Concerts in the series are FREE to SHU students with their SHU ID.

About Conductor Jason Tramm

Jason Tramm's work in the symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire has received acclaim nationally and internationally. Noted productions include a world premiere of the Gershwin's Porgy and Bess in Tirana, Albania at the request of the US Embassy. As Artistic Director for the NJ State Opera Tramm conducted the 75th anniversary production of the Gershwin's Porgy and Bess at Newark Symphony Hall and conducted the HDTV broadcast presentation with PBS affiliate NJN, of "Verdi Requiem: Live from Ocean Grove" which garnered a regional Emmy Award nomination. Tramm currently serves as Director of Music Ministries, Ocean Grove CMA, conducting sacred and secular works. His concerts from the historic Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, New Jersey include national broadcasts of Léon Boëllmann's Fantasie-Dialogue for Organ and Orchestra, Op. 35 with famed organist Gordon Turk and the Rittenhouse Orchestra, and Alexandre Guilmant's Symphony Number 1 in d for Organ and Orchestra featured on American Public Media's "Pipe Dreams." Tramm conducted the MidAtlantic Opera's 2014 productions of Verdi's Rigoletto and the Verdi Bicentennial production "Verdiana'.

A member of the faculty at Seton Hall University (Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities, College of Communication and the Arts) Tramm leads the University Choir, Chamber Choir and Orchestra. In 2015 Tramm made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting "A Prayer for Peace" which featured Behzad Ranjbaran's Elegy for Cello and Strings, Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem and Adnan Saygun's Selections from Yunis Emre. On October 27, 2017 he continued the concert trilogy with "Prayer for Peace: The Power of One Voice" at NJPAC.

Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini

Featuring soprano Indira Mahajan, tenor Errin Brooks, mezzo soprano Michele Detwiler, tenor Jordan Pitts, baritone Jonathan Scott, bass Eric Lindsay and mezzo soprano Devony Smith MidAtlantic Opera Orchestra, Seton Hall University Chorus

South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)

One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ 07079

Regular Admission - $25

SHU Students with University ID - Free
SHU Faculty, SHU Staff, Non-SHU Students - $8
Senior Citizens & SHU Alumni - $15

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