Lucine Amara, Artistic Director of the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera), invites singers to apply to the Verismo Opera Chorus. Open auditions will be held on Wednesdays, September 9 and 16 beginning at 6:15 p.m. at 44 Armory Street in Englewood, New Jersey. Auditions will also be held on September 12 at the organization's Open House and Silent Auction after the program. The Open House and Silent Auction will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Performing Arts School at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 1 Depot Square in Englewood, New Jersey.

Male and female vocalists -- amateur, professional, and retired are invited to audition and learn more about the opportunity to sing in the Verismo Opera Chorus. Male singers, representing all vocal ranges and ages, are especially needed. Teenagers, ages 15 and up, who have a musical background and/or are studying voice, taking instrumental lessons, or other musical instruction are invited to apply and schedule an audition.

Auditions will not be held for the Children's Chorus. Auditions for children to sing in the Verismo Opera Children's Chorus will be held, as needed, in 2016.

Choristers will perform in the company's production of Lucia di Lammermoor on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey. Applicants interested in learning more about Verismo Opera and the Verismo Opera Chorus are invited to attend the organization's Open House on Saturday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m. at The Performing Arts School of the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey.

Amara, who began her career in the San Francisco Opera Chorus and went on to sing principal roles at the Metropolitan Opera for over 40 years, encouraged singers to audition to the Verismo Opera Chorus. "Anyone wanting to do something special and rewarding should think about joining the Verismo Opera Chorus. Besides meeting and making new friends and wearing great costumes, you get a chance to sing great music. It's cathartic!" she said.

Under Chorus Director and Associate Conductor Mara Waldman, singers will explore grand opera in a live performance. Preparation includes instruction in the pronunciation of the text in the original language to be performed, vocal warm-ups, drilling of the music and detailed staging. The production will be fully staged, with the cast performing in costume accompanied by a live orchestra directed by renowned conductor, Maestro Anthony Morss.

"Singing in the Verismo Opera Chorus is a great experience for singers of all ages and abilities. The chorus performs the world's best-loved music in a fully professional setting with first-class soloists. Our production team provides beautiful scenery and costumes to bring these operas to life, as they were intended to be heard and seen. The singers also network and enjoy meeting weekly with like-minded people and working together as a team for the joy of singing," explained Waldman.

Applicants should have a working ability to read music and experience singing. The audition consists of singing five note scales. During the audition process, Waldman will determine each singer's range and vocal category. Applicants do not need to bring a song or music to the audition.

Download an application at http://bit.ly/1pzVVyW or send a request to [email protected]. For information or to schedule a mandatory appointment to audition for the chorus, call (201) 886-0561.

The audition site is handicapped accessible. Designated handicapped parking is available. Vocalists requiring a special accommodation should call (201) 886-0561 at least two weeks before the audition.

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., Mary Casella Briggs Fund, and Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund.

For further information about the program or Verismo Opera, call (201) 886-0561 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera
For over 26 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.

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 opera company, visit its web site, www.verismopera.org; follow the company on Facebook, http://bit.ly/9JXTP8, Twitter @NJVerismoOpera or Pinterest at http://bit.ly/1Du1wjY; or call (201) 886-0561.