NJ Association of Verismo Opera to Present "Meet the Cast of Aida". Special Discount Tickets Announced

FORT LEE, NJ, February 22, 2011 (Press-News.org) The NJ Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) will present "Meet the Cast of Aida" on Sunday, February 27 at 44 Armory Street in Englewood, New Jersey from 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Entertainment will feature Verismo Opera's principal artists from "Aida", many of whom have performed at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House, singing arias and duets from Giuseppe Verdi's story of the gods and forbidden love thwarted by a jealous, vindictive Egyptian princess. The production will be presented at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (BergenPAC) in Englewood, New Jersey on Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m.

Wine, cheese and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. A donation of $15 is suggested. For more information and to RSVP, call (201) 997-8494.

Cast Members to Sing

Opera supporters will be entertained with performances by cast members, including Steven Fredericks (Ramphis) of Tenafly, Ryan Allen (the King) of Fort Lee and Adam Klein (Radames), who have performed at the Metropolitan Opera House. Other cast scheduled to appear are Sharon Azrieli-Perez (Aida) and Galina Ivannikova (Amneris).

Guests will meet the company's artistic director--former Metropolitan Opera star, Lucine Amara; Evelyn La Quaif, Stage Director; Mary Ellen Rohon, Chorus Coordinator; Rita Tonitto, Volunteer Coordinator; and Catherine Mirabella, Costume Coordinator.

Upcoming Performance of Aida

The company's production of Aida will be fully staged by Evelyn La Quaif and performed in costume accompanied by an orchestra under internationally renowned Principal Conductor/Music Director, Anthony Morss. Tickets may be purchased by calling the BergenPAC box office at (201) 227-1030. A special 30% discount on $55 and $45 tickets will be available ONLY on March 3, 4, and 5 using the code AIDA1A.

Verismo Opera is the only professional opera company based in Bergen County, New Jersey and servicing north Jersey. The company is recognized for providing up and coming performing artists with the training to enter a career in opera. Several notable singers, who are performing internationally, such as Richard Hobson, Frank Poretta, Emmanuel di Villarosa, James Valenti and Irina Rindzuner, started their careers by performing in Verismo Opera's productions.

The NJ Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) has been a part of the New Jersey music scene since 1989. The opera company, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, 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 organizes opera workshops and offers affordable, highly professional operatic productions to the Bergen County, New Jersey community.


In January 1990, Verismo Opera featured the winners of its first vocal competition along with internationally renowned artists. In 1991, the organization began performing in Bergen County at the Fort Lee Historic Park. Two years later, Metropolitan Opera star Lucine Amara joined the organization as Artistic Director and with a full orchestra, began performing at the Orrie de Nooyer Auditorium. Presently, Verismo Opera's home base is the Bergen PAC in Englewood, New Jersey.

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