Apply To The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera’s Competition

July 15, 2017

Artistic Director Lucine Amara invites vocalists of all ages worldwide to apply now to the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera’s (Verismo Opera) 29th Annual International Vocal Competition. 

The early bird registration deadline is July 31, 2017.

Preliminary auditions will take place on November 1, 3, 6, and 8, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Final auditions will be held on December 6, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The preliminary and final auditions will be held at The Liederkranz Foundation, 6 East 87 Street in New York City in the United States of America.  The application deadline is October 31, 2017. 

At the preliminary auditions, a luminary panel of judges will officiate, including Metropolitan Opera legend Lucine Amara; Maestra Lucy Arner, Music Director/Principal Conductor, New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera; and Evelyn La Quaif, General Manager and Stage Director, New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera.  Upon request, the judges’ comments will be sent to all preliminary participants and finalists.

A professional accompanist will be provided to all vocalists participating in the preliminary and final auditions.  A free master class will be offered to all applicants accepted to sing in the preliminary auditions, and finalists selected to perform in the vocal competition will be invited to attend three four-hour free master classes.  During the master classes led by Amara and La Quaif, artists will learn deportment, language, style and presentation at auditions. 

Singers should do as many auditions as they can.  It helps get rid of nerves, allows them to work through any difficulties, and most importantly, gives them much needed feedback.  Our competition gives the artist all three and gives them the opportunity to participate in a free masterclass,” said Amara, who performed for over 40 years at the Metropolitan Opera in 882 on stage performances in 56 roles.

Finalists will be given feedback; extensive free coaching on language, style and presentation; and the opportunity to perform in Verismo Opera’s fully staged upcoming productions.  Winners will receive cash awards totaling $3,500 ($2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize and $500 third prize).

Verismo Opera is the house opera company of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in Englewood, New Jersey.  The nonprofit opera company is recognized for providing opportunities for artists to learn and perform in a professional environment with a live orchestra.

Vocal competition winners and finalists have performed in several of Verismo Opera’s productions.  The 26th Annual International Vocal Competition’s first prize winner, tenor José Heredia, performed in Verismo Opera’s productions of Rigoletto, Carmen and La Bohème.  Baritone Youngjoo An, the 2013 Verismo Opera Vocal Competition’s second prize winner, appeared in the company’s productions of La Bohème and Lucia di Lammermoor. In 2016, An and Nathan Resika, a finalist in the 27th Annual International Vocal Competition, performed in the company’s premiere of Amilcare Ponchielli’s La Gioconda.

The early bird registration fee, $55, is in effect through July 31, 2017, changing to $75 on August 1, 2017.  Payment may be made securely online at http://verismopera.org/donate-2/ located at the bottom of the page or by check made out and sent to Verismo Opera, P.O. Box 3024, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024-9024.

All applicants are required to send a resume, bio, a MP3 file or a CD containing at least three arias, an 8 x 10 black and white photo, and the application fee.  Applicants will be notified if they are accepted into the competition.  An application may be downloaded at http://verismopera.org/causes/vocal-competition/.  For further information or to schedule an audition appointment, contact info@verismopera.org or call (201) 886-0561.

For more information, visit Verismo Opera’s web site, www.verismopera.org or call (201) 886-0561.

Photo credit: Lucine Amara presented the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera’s 28th Annual International Vocal Competition’s first place award to Soprano Zhanna Alkhazova on April 23, 2017 at the bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) in Englewood, New Jersey. By Barrie Proctor Bonacci


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