(Bergen County, New Jersey; August 11, 2016) – The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, the house opera company of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), opens the 2016-2017 season and invites singers to audition for the Verismo Opera Chorus. Artistic Director Lucine Amara announces professional, amateur, and retired male and female singers may auditionfor the Verismo Opera Chorus on Wednesdays, September 14 and 21, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 17 from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.

Auditions will also be held on Saturday, September 10 at the organization's annual Open House after the program from 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Vocalists are invited to learn more about the grand opera company's 28th season and attend the Open House at 2:00 p.m. The auditions and the Open House will take place at 44 Armory Street in Englewood, New Jersey. For all auditions, an appointment is required and must be made in advance. To schedule an audition appointment, call (201) 886-0561.

Amara, who began her luminous operatic career with the San Francisco Opera Chorus and performed for over four decades with The Metropolitan Opera in 56 roles, encourages singers to audition for the Verismo Opera Chorus.

"Anyone wanting to do something special and rewarding should join the Verismo Opera Chorus. Besides making new friends and wearing stunning period costumes, a vocalist gets a chance to sing outstanding music. Performing with the chorus provides a vocalist the opportunity to gain experience and develop a career by singing in other languages, appearing on a professional stage, and assuming the appearance of someone else," she said.

During the company’s 2016-2017 season, choristers will perform in the company’s production of Giuseppe Verdi's classic, timeless work, Rigoletto, on October 23, 2016 and the epic Aida on April 23, 2017. Both operas will be presented at 3 p.m. at bergenPAC, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

Vocalists will sing in Italian and perform live at bergenPAC. Preparation includes instruction in the pronunciation of the text in Italian, vocal warm-ups, learning the music and detailed staging. The operas will be fully staged and performed in costume accompanied by an orchestra led by the company's new Principal Conductor/Music Director, Maestra Lucy Arner.

Audition Process

Male singers, representing all vocal ranges and ages, are especially needed. Adult applicants should have a rudimentary working ability to read music and experience singing. Teenagers, ages 17 to 19, may also audition for the Verismo Opera Chorus and must read music and have some prior vocal experience singing with a school, choir, or another performing group or organization. Previous stage experience and foreign language study are desirable. Applicants who have these skills and experiences will be given preference.

The audition consists of singing five note scales. During the audition process, Principal Conductor Lucy Arner will determine each singer's range and vocal category. Applicants do not need to bring a song or music to the audition.

An application may be downloaded at verismopera.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/chorus.pdf.  For information or to schedule an appointment to audition for the chorus, call (201) 886-0561.

Accessible Site

The audition site is handicapped accessible and designated handicapped parking is available in the adjacent lot. The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera is committed to ensuring its programs and services are accessible. Vocalists requiring a special accommodation or with specific questions about the physical features of a facility where Verismo Opera performs may call (201) 886-0561 at least two weeks prior to the audition.

Funding

The 2016 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 the Children’s Aid Foundation, Robert J. Campbell, MD, Cesare L. Santeramo, KSJ, Paul Weiss Matching Fund, The Gerda Lissner Foundation, Inc., and Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund.

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.