New Jersey Association of Verismo Paves the Way to Keep the Arts Accessible for Families

Introducing children and the extended family to live, fully staged performances of grand opera is a goal of the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera’s Bring the Family to the Opera initiative. This month, the initiative resumes for the fall season, providing special discount ticket rates for the community to see Giacomo Puccini's Tosca on October 15, 2017.

“Verismo Opera's Bring the Family to the Opera gives parents an opportunity to introduce their children, extended family members, and friends to classical music and live opera on the stage, as the composer intended. They experience a professional cast performing in period costumes accompanied by an orchestra. As the house opera company of the Bergen Performing Arts Center, we want people to enjoy affordable, high quality operatic performances,” said Artistic Director Lucine Amara, an opera legend, who appeared at the Metropolitan Opera for over 40 years in 882 onstage performances, five opening nights, nine new productions, 57 radio broadcasts and 56 roles.

Verismo Opera Presents Tosca

On Sunday, October 15, 2017, Verismo Opera brings to the stage again Puccini's Tosca set in Italy with Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa’s libretto in four acts based upon Victorien Sardou’s drama, La Tosca. The opera begins at 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

Verismo Opera presents the live opera with full staging under the direction of Stage Director Evelyn La Quaif, a prominent vocal and master class teacher in the New York City region. Principal Conductor/Music Director Lucy Arner directs the orchestra, with Chorus Director Michael Wittenburg leading the Verismo Opera Chorus. The cast performs in Italian with English supertitles provided to the audience.

Special Ticket Rates

The Bring the Family to the Opera initiative offers a range of discount ticket offers to see Tosca. A special 40 percent off rate on $55 and $45 tickets with promotion code (TOSCA1) goes on sale only on September 7, 8, and 9, 2017. A final 30% discount on $55 and $45 tickets is available only on September 28, 29, and 30, 2017 with promotion code (TOSCA2).

Discount ticket rate offers for senior citizens and children go on sale starting September 7. Senior citizens purchasing regular-priced tickets are entitled to a 10 percent discount. The company offers a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under. The special rates may not be combined with other offers.

These offers may be purchased only at 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. Special ticket rates are not available online. Patrons request all special ticket offers in advance of the purchase.

Group discounts are available on $55 and $45 tickets only with a minimum purchase of 10 tickets. For special group rates only, contact Ms. Hawks at riagrace@hotmail.com. This discount is not available online.

Purchase regularly priced tickets now for Tosca online. Tickets may also be purchased in person at 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.

For more information about Verismo Opera, visit the organization's web site, like and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter @NJVerismoOpera, or call (201) 886-0561.

Photo Credit: Marilyn Monsanto