Verismo Opera to Unveil Surprise Ending of Carmen. Cast Announced

Verismo Opera Artistic Director Lucine Amara announces the cast that will appear in Carmen on April 26 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey.
 
FORT LEE, N.J. - April 9, 2015 - PRLog -- The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera will transport the audience to Seville, Spain in its new production of Carmen.  Last performed by the company in 2008, Verismo Opera presents Georges Bizet's immortal opera on Sunday, April 26, 3:00 p.m., at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

         Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif has a surprise for the audience.  "The ending of Verismo Opera's Carmen will be something new.  This has never been done before and may shock you.  If it does, wonderful!  That's what great opera is all about," said La Quaif.

        "Carmen is an excitingly colorful opera full of raw human emotions we all can identify.  Our production of Carmen is special, not only because of the terrific voices but the acting is amazing and very real to life.  You won't see another like it!" said Artistic Director Lucine Amara, who performed the role Micaëla in Carmen many times at the Metropolitan Opera.

Cast

         Amara announced the complete cast of the new production.  Mezzo-soprano Ola Rafalo debuts with the company as the vixen gypsy Carmen, a role she performed in La Tragedie de Carmen with Syracuse Opera.

         Tenor José Heredia returns to the Verismo Opera stage to perform the role of Don José.  In October, Heredia's debut with the company as Rodolfo in La Bohème was well received.  He received first prize in the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera 26th Annual International Vocal Competition.

         Verismo Opera welcomes several new vocalists.  Soprano Donata Cucinotta joins as the peasant woman Micaëla.  Noted for her “particularly fine” voice by the New York Times.  Baritone Mark Cotton debuts with the company as toreador Escamillo. He has performed throughout Europe and the United States in more than 28 roles.  Debuting with Verismo Opera as Le Remendado, tenor Daniel Byerley has performed as Oronte in I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata with The Singers' Theater of Washington and in Light Opera of New York's production of Sigmund Romberg's The New Moon.

         Newcomers to Verismo Opera are soprano Bronwyn White as Frasquita, baritone Miguel A. Vasquez as Morales, baritone Daniel Kerr as Le Dancaïre, and baritone Javier Ortiz as Zuniga.  Performers returning to Verismo Opera are mezzo-soprano Marie Anello as Mercédès, Dr. James Moy, baritone, as A Guide, and Englewood actor Dr. James Garvin, Jr. as Lillas Pastia, an innkeeper.

         The fully staged production will be presented with the cast singing in French with English supertitles provided.  The Verismo Opera Chorus, led by Chorus Director Mara Waldman, and the Verismo Opera Children's Chorus, with Director Tricia Lalla from Union School in Rutherford, will perform under the baton of Maestro Anthony Morss conducting the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Orchestra.

         BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM) debuts with Verismo Opera as gypsies in Acts two and four.  BALAM Artistic Director Carlos Fittante has performed throughout the United States, Spain, Mexico, and Indonesia.  As a choreographer and performer, he has worked with several opera companies such as the preeminent Boston Early Music Festival.  BALAM Resident Spanish Dance Specialist Barbara Romero toured the United States with the Boston Flamenco Ballet and choreographed Carmen for the Regina Opera Company.

         Verismo Opera presents Carmen in four acts with the libretto written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on a novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée.  The complete cast will appear in period costumes designed by Costume Designer/Wardrobe Director Barbara Konig, Costumer's Assistant Elaine McKhann and Costume Consultant Catherine Mirabella.  Jeromy Hunt returns to the company as Stage Manager, with Amanda Lyons joining as Lighting Director.
         bergenPAC is handicapped accessible.  Hearing assist systems are available upon request to the house manager in the lobby.

Tickets

         Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.bergenpac.org, at the bergenPAC box office, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW.  Senior citizens receive a 10% discount.  The company is offering a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under.  The special senior citizen and children’s discount ticket rates are available at the box office only and must be requested before the purchase.  For special rates for group sales only, call (201) 224-2809.  Discount tickets are not available for purchase online.

Funding

         The 2015 season is made possible, in part, with funds provided by the New Jersey Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grand 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 26 years, 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, visit Verismo Opera's web site, http://www.verismopera.org; like the company on Facebook, http://bit.ly/9JXTP8; get updates on Twitter @NJVerismoOpera; or call (201) 886-0561.

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