Choral Singers, Extras Needed for NJ Association of Verismo Opera's Productions of Aida & Tosca

FORT LEE, NJ, February 15, 2011

Lucine Amara, Artistic Director of the NJ Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera), announces that the only professional opera company based in northern New Jersey is holding auditions for supernumeraries (extras) and new members to join the Verismo Chorus. The selected singers and extras will appear in the company's productions of Aida and Tosca at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (BergenPAC) in Englewood, New Jersey and other venues.

"We invite youngsters and adults with a willingness to sing and/or act in great operas to join Verismo Opera's chorus and cast. Our company is known for providing the crucial training and support to the stars of tomorrow," says Ms. Amara.

Under Chorus Mistress Mara Waldman, singers will extend their musical horizons, delving into the world of grand opera through active performances. Sight-reading ability is definitely a plus, but not necessary. A good musical ear and a love of music are essential.

Extras ages 16 and up are needed to play the roles of Egyptian priests, soldiers and Ethiopian slaves for the company's April 17 production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida at 3:00 p.m. at the BergenPAC. Others are needed to assume the roles of soldiers, altar boys, priests, nuns, bishops, services, and ladies and gentlemen of the Roman aristocracy for the October 23 performance of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca at 3:00 p.m. also at the BergenPAC. They will work closely with the company's General Manager/Stage Director, Evelyn La Quaif, a prominent New York City voice teacher and performer.

The operas will be fully staged and performed in costume accompanied by a 35-member orchestra under internationally renowned Principal Conductor/Music Director, Anthony Morss, in a number of performing arts centers throughout Bergen County, New Jersey. Tickets may be purchased for these performances by calling the BergenPAC box office at (201) 227-1030.

For both extras and chorus singers, no prior stage experience is required. Candidates with acting or dance experience will have opportunities to perform cameo roles. Auditions for chorus members and extras for the company's 21st season are being held every Wednesday during the months of February and March. Interested candidates should apply now. Applications forms, performance dates and additional information are available on Verismo Opera's web site, http://www.njavo.org.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment for an audition, call Mary Ellen Rohon, chorus auditions, (201) 886-0561 or Rita Tonitto, extra auditions, (201) 224-2809.

About NJ Association of Verismo Opera

The NJ Association of Verismo Opera has been a part of the New Jersey music scene since 1989. The opera company, a nonprofit organization based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is the only professional opera company in Bergen County and northern New Jersey. The organization provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists and sponsors an annual vocal competition held in November with finals conducted in Carnegie Hall's Weill Hall, drawing artists from all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company also organizes opera workshops and offers affordable, highly professional operatic productions.

The company is recognized for providing up and coming performing artists with the training to attain a successful operatic career. Several singers, notably Richard Hobson, Frank Poretta, Emmanuel di Villarosa, James Valenti and Irina Rindzuner of the Metropolitan Opera, started their road to success by performing in Verismo Opera productions.

For more information about the NJ Association of Verismo Opera, visit http://www.njavo.org, view its Facebook page at http://bit.ly/9JXTP8, or call (201) 886-0561.