The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) under the leadership of Artistic Director Lucine Amara invites professional, amateur, and retired professional soloists of all vocal categories to audition for roles in the opera company's 2014 productions.

Solo roles are available in the company's new productions of Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata and Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème. Open auditions will be held on Monday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in the Cabaret Room, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey. The bergenPAC is handicapped accessible. Designated handicapped parking is available.

Verismo Opera will perform La Traviata on Sunday, April 6, 2014 and La Bohème on October 26, 2014. The productions will be presented at 3:00 p.m. at the bergenPAC. The company will present these grand operas fully staged with a live orchestra and chorus.

Auditions
For La Traviata, auditions will be held for the roles of Violetta Valéry (full lyric soprano), Baron Douphol (bass baritone), Marquis d'Obigny (bass or baritone), Giuseppe (tenor), Annina (soprano), and the Commissioner (bass or baritone). Auditions will also be held for the roles of Musetta (soprano), Benoît (bass), Alcindoro (bass), Parpignol (tenor) and two custom sergeants (bass) to perform in La Bohème.

Vocalists are also invited to apply to audition for cover positions of Violetta Valéry (lyric soprano), Flora (mezzo-soprano), Alfredo Germont (tenor), Giorgio Germont (baritone), and Gastone in La Traviata. Auditions will also be held to cover the roles of Rodolfo (tenor), Marcello (baritone), and Musetta (soprano) in La Bohème.
All applicants must have previous experience in a fully staged production and the necessary vocal training to perform leading or supporting roles. The application deadline to audition is December 13, 2013. Although an accompanist will be provided, applicants may bring their own. For an audition appointment, call 201-886-0561or send an e-mail to [email protected].

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Applicants must submit a bio listing current or past performances and roles sung, a resume, photo and an audio file, preferably in an MP3 format or on a CD, by the application deadline to Verismo Opera Inc., P.O. Box 3024, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024-9024 or to [email protected]. A refundable $25 deposit must be submitted with all applications. Checks should be made out to Verismo Opera.

The selected vocalists will receive free coaching and an in-depth understanding of the role from professionals in the field, including Artistic Director Lucine Amara, General Manager/Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif, Maestro Anthony Morss, and Chorus Director Mara Waldman. Professional photos and a DVD of the production will be available to use for future engagements and performances.

"Most importantly, the vocalists experience working and performing on the stage in a professional production. This is also a great opportunity for any promising, young artist to prepare for a role in a professional setting before being engaged by a major opera company," said Ms. Amara.

About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera
The New Jersey 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, is the only professional opera company in Bergen County, New Jersey.

The organization provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists and sponsors an annual vocal competition held in November with finals generally 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 concerts and offers affordable, highly professional operatic productions.

Verismo Opera 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 its productions.

For more information about Verismo Opera, visit its web site www.verismopera.org follow the company on Facebook at http://bit.ly/9JXTP8 or Twitter @NJVerismoOpera; or call (201) 886-0561.