New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera to Hold Open Auditions for La Bohème, Carmen, Lucia di Lammermoor
New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Artistic Director Lucine Amara invites soloists in all vocal categories to audition for roles in the professional opera company’s 2014-2015 productions. New Jersey residents are encouraged to apply.
Solo roles are available in the company’s new productions of Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème, Georges Bizet's Carmen, and Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Open auditions will be held the week of June 22, beginning on Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Performing Arts School of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 1 Depot Square, in Englewood, New Jersey.
Verismo Opera, the house opera company of bergenPAC, continues its 25th anniversaryseason, Vive la France, with performances of La Bohème on October 19 and 26, 2014, Carmen onApril 26, 2015, and Lucia di Lammermoor on October 18, 2015. All of the productions will be presented at 3:00 p.m. at bergenPAC.
Verismo Opera will present these grand operas fully staged with a live orchestra and chorus. The selected vocalists will receive free coaching from professionals in the field, including Artistic Director Lucine Amara, a Met Opera legend; General Manager/Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif, a Canadian soprano; Maestro Anthony Morss; and Associate Conductor/Chorus Director Mara Waldman. Professional photos and a DVD of the production will be available to use for future engagements and performances.
"Vocalists will experience working and performing on the stage in a professional production. This is also a great opportunity for any promising, young artist to prepare for a role in a professional setting before being engaged by a major opera company,” said Ms. Amara.
Auditions
For La Bohème, open auditions will be held for the roles of Rodolfo, Marcello, Colline, Benoît, Alcindoro, Parpignol, and a customs Sergeant. Vocalists are also invited to apply to audition for all roles in Carmen and Lord Enrico Ashton, Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood, Lord Arturo Bucklaw, Raimondo Bidebent, Alisa, and Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor.
All applicants must have previous experience in a fully staged production and the necessary vocal training to perform leading or supporting roles. The application deadline to audition is June 16, 2014. New Jersey residents are encouraged to apply. Although an accompanist will be provided, applicants may bring their own. For an audition appointment, call
201-886-0561or send an e-mail to
info@verismopera.org.
Applicants must submit a bio listing current or past performances and roles sung, a resume, photo and an audio file, preferably in an MP3 format or on a CD, by the application deadline to Verismo Opera Inc., P.O. Box 3024, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024-9024 or to
info@verismopera.org. A refundable $25 deposit must be submitted with all applications. Checks should be made out to Verismo Opera.
The selected vocalists will receive free coaching and an in-depth understanding of the role from professionals in the field, including Artistic Director Lucine Amara, General Manager/Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif, Maestro Anthony Morss, and Associate Conductor/Chorus Director Mara Waldman. Professional photos and a DVD of the production will be available to use for future engagements and performances.
The site is handicapped accessible. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available. Vocalists requiring a special accommodation should call
(201) 886-0561 at least two weeks before the audition.
About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera
For 25 years, the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) has been an integral part of the region’s classical music culture. Led by Metropolitan Opera luminary Lucine Amara, Verismo Opera delivers a rich, grand opera experience for performers and viewers.
The organization provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists through its semi-annual productions at the Bergen Performing Arts Center and concerts held in community settings. Community members are invited to get involved as supernumeraries and volunteers. An annual international vocal competition is conducted in November with finals generally drawing artists throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Verismo Opera also organizes opera workshops, master classes and concerts and offers affordable, highly professional productions.
For more information about the nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, 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.
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