(Fort Lee, New Jersey; August 16, 2016) – The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, the house opera company of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), is preparing for its 28th season and resuming the well received Bring the Family to the Opera initiative that introduces children and the extended family to live, fully staged performances of grand opera as the composer intended.

On September 8, 2016, the program's first special ticket rate will be available to see Giuseppe Verdi's timeless work Rigoletto on October 23, 2016.

The opera will be performed at 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

“Verismo Opera provides once again the highly successful Bring the Family to the Opera. This program gives parents an opportunity to introduce their children to live opera and classical music presented on the stage with the complete cast in period costumes. We want children and their families to enjoy and experience high quality, affordable operatic performances,” said opera legend Lucine Amara, Artistic Director of the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera.

The Bring the Family to the Opera program seeks to instill children and their extended families -- parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins -- friends, and neighbors with an appreciation of opera and classical music. The company's new production, replete with full sets, will entertain the audience with live singing performed by professional principal vocalists and the Verismo Opera Chorus accompanied by the Verismo Opera Orchestra under the baton of the company's new Principal Conductor and Music Director, Cuban born Lucy Arner.

General Manager and Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif directs the fully staged opera. The principals and the Verismo Opera Chorus will perform in Italian with English supertitles provided.

Special Ticket Rates

Verismo Opera's Bring the Family to the Opera Program announces special ticket offers to see the company’s full production of Rigoletto on October 23, 2016. A special 40 percent off rate on $55 and $45 tickets with promotion code (RIG1) is available only on September 8, 9, and 10, 2016. A final 30% discount on $55 and $45 tickets is available only on September 29 and 30, 2016 and October 1, 2016 with promotion code (RIG2).

Special ticket rate offers for senior citizens and children are available now through October 23, 2016 to see Rigoletto. Senior citizens purchasing regular-priced tickets are entitled to a 10 percent discount. The company is offering a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under. The special rates may not be combined with other offers.

These offers may be purchased only at bergenPAC’s box office, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW. Special ticket rates are not available online. All special ticket offers must be requested before the purchase.

Group Rates

Group discounts are available on $55 and $45 tickets now 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., (917) 821-8476, or (201) 816-9520. This discount is not available online.

Regularly priced tickets are on sale and may be purchased online at www.bergenpac.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at bergenPAC’s box office, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW.

The theatre is handicapped accessible. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available. For information about bergenPAC's Accessibility Services, contact the theatre's Americans With Disabilities Coordinator at (201) 816-8160, extension 31.

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 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.