Maureen Francis Joins Morris Museum's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Halloween Special

Internationally acclaimed soprano Maureen Francis will join the New Jersey Festival Orchestra at the Morris Museum's Bickford Theater, on Saturday, November 2 at 8:00pm, as it brings to life, in glorious symphonic splendor, the original 1925 movie The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney. Ms Francis will perform the singing role of Christine Daaé, the Paris opera singer who is the object of the Phantom's desires.

There will not be a single moment of silence as Ms. Francis and more than 40 members of the fully professional orchestra, under the baton of Maestro David Wroe, perform, with split-second timing and precision, the extraordinary soundtrack of Canadian composer Gabriel Thibaudeau as the original classic silent movie is projected above the orchestra and in full view of the audience.

Internationally renowned for her electric stage presence and warm and silvery lyrical voice, Ms. Francis, who resides in New Jersey, has performed in venues throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She recently sang the role of Cunegunde in Candide with Fresno Grand Opera and enjoyed a critically acclaimed engagement with Bergen Opera premiering Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem in Mumbai, India.

Ms Francis' other recent roles include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance both with Opera Omaha, Musetta in Chattanooga Symphony and Opera production of La Boheme, Oscar in Un ballo in Maschera with Bergen Opera in Bergen, Norway, Gretel with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, and her debut with Los Angeles Opera and the Lincoln Center Festival in the world premier of Elliot Goldenthal's opera Grendel singing the role of Dragonette, directed by Julie Taymor. She also recently sang Gilda in Chattanooga Opera's production of Rigoletto, Julie Jordan in Carousel with Shreveport Opera, LA, and Rosina, her signature role, at the Festival Lecco in Italy.

"We are thrilled and honored that Ms. Francis has agreed to join us," remarked NJFO Music Director Wroe. "She has a rich and flexible voice, a charismatic personality and acting skills to match - a perfect Phantom Christine!"

The evening will also feature a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 which is sure to appeal to young and old alike.

Tickets are $30 for Members, $35 for Non-Members and $50 for Premium Seating.

Tickets may be purchased by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre Box Office. The Bickford Theatre is conveniently located within the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Walk-up hours are Tuesday, through Friday, 11:00am to 5:00pm.

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