Fort Lee Founder of Verismo Opera Still Making Music Come Alive

The Fort Lee-based New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (NJAVO), recognized as a major opera company in Bergen County, has been a part of the state’s local music scene since 1989. In 1991, the NJAVO orchestra began performing in Bergen County at the .

Today the NJAVO performs at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in Englewood (since 2003), but the company has also performed at the Orrie de Nooyer auditorium in Hackensack, the Academy of Holy Angels Auditorium in Demarest, and in New York City.

Fort Lee resident Giovanni "Gianni" Simone comes from a small town in Southern Italy. His father--then a farmer and tired of struggling--in 1970 decided to take his family and emigrate to the United States for a better life in the “New World.” They arrived in New York on July 4, 1971 on board of one of the last luxurious ships of the era, “The Raffaello’s.”

“The first years in the 'New World' were very challenging for me in particular because I had to start my life from scratch,” Simone said. “Originally, I did not want to follow my family to America. I was almost 18, and I had lots of friends and had a pretty good focus on what I wanted to accomplish for the rest of my life. Furthermore, I did not speak any English, the only foreign languages I knew were French and Spanish.”

Once Simone got used to the “American way” and sought the opportunities his new country offered to anyone who wanted to excel, he said he "radically" changed his mind and pursued other opportunities.

It all began by sponsoring a vocal competition and an opera workshop at Park Theatre in Union City.

“A group of resident opera lovers and record collectors used to get together every first week of the month to listen to the latest recording and to express their critique," he said. "That year (1989) the group met with the owner of the Park Theatre in Union City to explore the possibility of presenting on stage a vocal competition. A committee was formed to raise the necessary money to fund the first event.”

In January 1990, the Verismo Opera engaged Maestro Gregory Ortega for its first Gala Operatic Orchestra Concert, which was held at the Park Theater on Jan. 26. Verismo Opera featured the winners of its first local competition. Young Soo Park of Fort Lee came in second place. It was in 1991 that Verismo Opera changed its name to New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera.

In 1989 Simone, took his love for good music, along with his desire to perform on stage, and founded the non-profit Verismo Opera based in Fort Lee. Verismo is the only professional grand opera company in the Bergen County and Northern New Jersey. Besides being the founder of the company, Simone is also the president of the Board of Trustees and the opera company's technical director. Simone also volunteers at St Nicholas Parish in Palisades Park where he is a trustee and music minister.

“We are all born with certain, special gifts and I believe in sharing God’s gifts," he said. "I enjoy sharing them with young people who have the same desire. I also share the same values on my kids hoping that one day they will follow in my footsteps.”

The opera company is recognized for providing up-and-coming performing artists with the training to enter a career in opera. Currently, there are over 50 people that volunteer in many areas of the business.

NJAVO sponsors an annual vocal competition in November with finals conducted in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall that draws artists from all over the U.S., Canada and Europe.

“The numerous challenges I face in terms of securing funds to be able to present the high professional level of operatic productions Verismo has been known for the past 22 years keeps me motivated,” Simone said. “My motivation also increases, in such a diverse economy, by adapting quickly and focusing on the opportunities such a diverse economy offers."

Simone added that the company continues to have to make "painful decisions" in order to continue with its work. For example, they had to cut the number of rehearsals by 40 percent, reduced orchestra rehearsals and changed their focus, putting more emphasis on marketing, in order to increase the number of people attending performances.

“It’s very hard to keep everyone in an organization focused at all times but thanks to emails I am pretty much in contact every day with everyone trying to keep them focused and on their assignments," he said. "I believe dealing with struggles, challenges and painful decisions help you become a stronger person.”

All of these challenges coupled with his full-time job and volunteer work leave little time for family, according to Simone, whose wife, he said, calls him "the phantom."

“Perseverance and not losing faith help me cope in these times," Simone said. "I believe the more problems you face, the more aggressive you become. What helps me stay afloat is the belief that I have to adjust and make the necessary sacrifices.”

Looking to the future, Simone said, “I continue to provide a platform for young, talented artists to perform in a professional setting. Furthermore, for someone like me, my mission is to continue for years to come.”

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's Mission Statement is as follows:

•     To enhance the cultural life of our community by providing a complete range of fine musical programming.

•     To educate the community about the uplifting benefits of music and in paticular grand opera.

•     To educate and introduce our youth to the joy of fine music.

•     To provide performance opportunities to musicians and offer study grants to youjg performing artists.

The company is currently seeking adults, teens and children singers and supernumeraries (extras) to act in various roles in productions of Il Trovatore on April 22, 2012, and Madama Butterfly in October 2012. No experience is required.

Auditions to sing in the chorus must be scheduled in advance. Contact Mary Ellen Rohon at 201-886-0561 to schedule an appointment. For information about supernumerary roles contact Rita Tonitto at 201-224-2809.