New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera to Hold Vocal Auditions for Rigoletto and Aida

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, the house opera company of the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in Englewood, New Jersey, invites singers in all vocal categories to audition for solo roles in the professional opera company’s traditional productions of Rigoletto and Aida. New Jersey residents are encouraged to apply.

Auditions will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2016 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. at Megremis Studio in the Epic Building located at 2067 Broadway in New York City. The opera company will present Rigoletto on Sunday, October 23, 2016 and Aida on Sunday, April 23, 2017 both at 3:00 p.m. at bergenPAC.

Verismo Opera will perform these grand operas fully staged with a live orchestra and chorus.

"Verismo Opera welcomes amateur, professional and retired vocalists of all ages to audition. It's all about great singing! Many roles require a more mature artist. 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 Amara.

Audition Requirements

Auditions will be held for these roles in Rigoletto: Rigoletto, Count Ceprano, Monterone, Marullo, a Page and a Herald. Vocalists are invited to apply to audition for the following roles in Aida: Ramphis, the King of Egypt, and a messenger.

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 June 8, 2016. Although an accompanist will be provided, applicants may bring his or her own.

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 info@verismopera.org. Vocalists should prepare to perform three arias of which one must be from Rigoletto or Aida or an opera with a similar song.

A refundable $25 deposit must be submitted with all applications to secure an audition time. The deposit will be refunded at the audition time. Checks should be made out to Verismo Opera.

The selected vocalists will receive free coaching from professionals in the field, including Metropolitan Opera legend Lucine Amara and Verismo Opera's Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif. Professional photos and a DVD of the production will be available to use for future engagements and performances.

For further information or to schedule an audition appointment, contact info@verismopera.org or call (201) 886-0561. To receive notifications about Verismo Opera's future auditions, events, activities, and other opportunities, subscribe to the organization's free monthly newsletter and follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo Credit: Marilyn Monsanto