Fort Lee Resident to Perform in Verismo Opera's 'Rigoletto' at Bergen Performing Arts Center

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera announces tenor Giovanni Simone of Fort Lee, New Jersey will perform the role of Matteo Borsa, a courtier, in the company's new production of Giuseppe Verdi's classic work, Rigoletto, on October 23, 2016. The nonprofit company, based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, will perform the opera at 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey.

Originally from Mola di Bari in Italy, Simone has performed the same role in Rigoletto 54 times with the Baltimore Opera Company in Maryland and the Regina Opera Company in Brooklyn, New York, where he was the stage manager for 18 years. He has performed in several Verismo Opera productions. Last October, he appeared in the company's production of Lucia di Lammermoor as Normanno. This past spring, he assumed the role of Isepo, a Scribe, in the company's debut of Amilcare Ponchielli’s magnificent work, La Gioconda, known for its complex plots and intrigue. The New Jersey State Opera and Philadelphia Grand Opera are among the other opera companies he has worked with.

Simone has appeared with several professional productions in the Tri-State area performing supporting roles with a number of leading opera companies. Simone's portrait of Goro in Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Tinca in Puccini’s Il Tabarro, Gastone in Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, Arturo and Normanno in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor have been well received by the press and by the public. He has worked with Metropolitan Opera conductors Ignace Strasfogel, Richard Woitach and Henry Lewis and performed in productions with world famous baritones Tito Gobbi and Mario Sereni.

Tickets

Tickets may be purchased online, at the bergenPAC's box office located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW. This season, the company is providing several special ticket rates for senior citizens, children, and groups.

Senior citizens receive a 10% discount. The company is offering a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under. These special senior citizen and children’s discount ticket rates are available through October 23 at the box office only and must be requested before the purchase. Special ticket rates may not be combined with others.

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, (917) 821-8476, or (201) 816-9520. This discount is not available online.

Verismo Opera is committed to ensuring its programs and services are accessible to all. bergenPAC is handicapped accessible. Street parking is available in front of the theatre with designated handicapped parking spaces. Hearing assist systems are available upon request to the house manager in the lobby.

The 2016 season is made possible, in part, with funds provided by the New Jersey Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. Other supporters include Children’s Aid Foundation, Robert J. Campbell, MD, Cesare L. Santeramo, KSJ, Paul Weiss Matching Fund, The Gerda Lissner Foundation, Inc., and Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund

For further information about the opera or Verismo Opera, call (201) 886-0561 or send an e-mail to info@verismopera.org.