The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) invites the public to celebrate its 25th anniversary year with its new Bring the Family to the Opera program. To launch the program, the only grand opera company in Bergen County is offering several special ticket offers for children, senior citizens, and individuals to see the company's performance of Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata on Sunday, April 6, 3:00 p.m., at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

As arts programs continue to be eliminated in schools or opera education cut from the curriculum, exposing children and their extended families to the wonders of grand opera is a priority of Verismo Opera's program. "Our Bring the Family to the Opera program has the goals of introducing people to grand, traditional opera and keeping this art form alive. This program provides our productions locally at the Bergen Performing Arts Center and makes them accessible and affordable for extended families and their children through special discount ticket offers," said Lucine Amara, Artistic Director.

Under Amara, one of the Metropolitan Opera's luminary performers, Verismo Opera will observe its 25th season, Vive la France, with the beautiful production La Traviata in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Verdi's birth. Set in the backdrop of Paris, France, this love story, shrouded in sacrifice and misunderstanding, will unfold on the stage under the direction of Stage Director and Canadian soprano Evelyn La Quaif. The fully staged production will be presented with the cast singing in Italian. English supertitles will be provided.

A live orchestra will perform under the baton of Principal Conductor/Music Director Anthony Morss. Chorus Director Mara Waldman will direct the Verismo Opera Chorus. The cast will perform in period costumes designed by Catherine Mirabella and Barbara Konig.

Special Ticket Rates
Verismo Opera is providing special discount ticket offers to see the company's full production of La Traviata on April 6, 2014. The first special ticket offer is 40% off on $55 and $45 tickets available for purchase on February 27, 28, and March 1, 2014 (Code Tr1). A second offer of 30% off (Code Tr2) is available on March 13, 14, and 15, 2014 on tickets priced at $55 and $45.

Discount ticket rates for senior citizens, ages 65 and over, and children, ages 12 and under, are available now through April 6, 2014 to see La Traviata. Senior citizens, ages 65 and over, purchasing regular-priced tickets on non-sale dates are entitled to a 10% discount.

During this celebratory anniversary year, Verismo Opera continues its tradition of introducing and educating youngsters to grand opera and music. The company is offering a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under, when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult to see La Traviata on April 6, 2014.
These special ticket offers are not available online and may be purchased only at the bergenPAC's box office, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW. All special ticket offers must be requested before the purchase.

Group discounts are available on $55 and $45 tickets only with a minimum purchase of 50 tickets. For special group rates only, call 201-224-2809. This discount is not available online.

The bergenPAC is handicapped accessible. Hearing assist systems are available upon request at the bergenPAC to the house manager in the lobby.

Funding
The 2014 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 the Children's Aid Foundation, Robert J. Campbell, MD, Cesare L. Santeramo, KSJ, Mary Casella Briggs Memorial Fund, The Gerda Lissner Foundation, Inc., Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund, and Paul Weiss Matching Fund.

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. Verismo Opera, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, is a grand, professional opera company led by Artistic Director and Met Opera luminary Lucine Amara.

The organization provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists and sponsors an annual vocal competition held in November with finals generally conducted in Liederkranz 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.

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