(Fort Lee, New Jersey; April 10, 2017) – The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, a nonprofit organization based in Bergen County, New Jersey, announces tenor Giovanni Simone of Fort Lee, New Jersey will perform the Messenger in the company's grand production of Giuseppe Verdi's classic work, AIDA, on April 23, 2017. The opera will be performed at 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey.

"I am pleased to perform in Verismo Opera's production of this grand opera. AIDA is based on a story that takes place in a historical setting and requires significantly more planning and care to undertake. Not too many operas have triumphal scenes, marches, and a large cast with over 100 people. Anyone who loves opera will want to see this production," said Simone.

Born in the southern Italian port of Mola di Bari, he studied architecture at the Liceo Artistico and voice at the Conservatorio Nicolò Piccinni in Bari, Italy, under the direction of world-famous composer Nino Rota. He joined the opera chorus and sang his first solo roles at Italy’s beloved Teatro Petruzelli at age 17.

Simone has performed in a range of operas, including Rigoletto, Lucia di Lammermoor, La Gioconda, and others. He performed in Rigoletto 54 times with the Baltimore Opera Company in Maryland and the Regina Opera Company in Brooklyn, New York, where he was the stage manager for 18 years. He has performed in several Verismo Opera productions, including Rigoletto as Matteo Borsa, Lucia di Lammermoor as Normanno, La Bohème as Street Vendor and in the company's debut of Amilcare Ponchielli’s La Gioconda as Isepo. The New Jersey State Opera and Philadelphia Grand Opera are among the other opera companies he has worked with.

Simone has appeared with several professional productions in the Tri-State area performing supporting roles with a number of leading opera companies. His portrait of Goro in Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Tinca in Puccini’s Il Tabarro, Gastone in Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, Arturo and Normanno in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor have been well received by the press and by the public. He has worked with Metropolitan Opera conductors Ignace Strasfogel, Richard Woitach and Henry Lewis and performed in productions with world famous baritones Tito Gobbi and Mario Sereni.

Tickets

Tickets may be purchased online at www.bergenpac.org, at the bergenPAC's box office located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW. This season, the company is providing several special ticket rates for senior citizens, children, and groups.

Senior citizens receive a 10% discount. The company is offering a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under. These special senior citizen and children’s discount ticket rates are available through April 23 at the box office only and must be requested before the purchase. Special ticket rates may not be combined with others.

Group discounts are available on $55 and $45 tickets only with a minimum purchase of 10 tickets. For special group rates only, contact Ms. Hawks at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (201) 816-9520. This discount is not available online.

Accessible

Verismo Opera is committed to ensuring its programs and services are accessible to all. bergenPAC is handicapped accessible. Street parking is available in front of the theatre with designated handicapped parking spaces. Hearing assist systems are available upon request to the house manager in the lobby.

Funding

The season is made possible, in part, with funds provided by the New Jersey Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. Other supporters include Children’s Aid Foundation, Robert J. Campbell, MD, Cesare L. Santeramo, KSJ, Mary Casella Briggs Memorial Fund, Paul Weiss Matching Fund, The Gerda Lissner Foundation, Inc., Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund, and the Verismo Opera Board of Directors.

About New Jersey Association of Verismo

Opera For 28 years, the New Jersey Association of 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.

As the Bergen Performing Arts Center's house opera company, Verismo Opera provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists through its semi-annual productions at the theatre 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, 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.