New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Opens 28th International Vocal Competition

Artistic Director Lucine Amara invites vocalists of all ages worldwide to apply now to the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's 28th Annual International Vocal Competition. The early bird registration deadline is July 31, 2016.

At the preliminary auditions, a luminary panel of judges will officiate, including Metropolitan Opera legend Lucine Amara; Maestra Lucy Arner, Music Director/Principal Conductor, Maestro Anthony Morss, and Evelyn La Quaif. The judges' comments will be sent to all preliminary participants and finalists.

Free Master Classes

Verismo Opera, a nonprofit organization based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is offering a free master class to all applicants accepted to sing in the preliminary auditions. 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.

"Vocal competitions offer a singer the opportunity to experience performing at the highest level of intensity and fear. Performing in front of your peers is always more frightening than performing on stage. The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's annual vocal competition's free master classes offer a singer a deeper knowledge of their art from professionals in the business," said Amara, who performed for over 40 years at the Metropolitan Opera in 882 on stage performances in 56 roles.

Finalists will receive 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).

Performing Opportunities

Vocal competition winners and finalists have performed in several of Verismo Opera's productions. On April 19, 2016, finalist Nathan Resika performed in the company's premiere of Amilcare Ponchielli's La Gioconda. The 26th Annual International Vocal Competition's first prize winner, tenor José Heredia, performed in Verismo Opera's productions of Carmen and La Bohème at bergenPAC and will return in the fall this year to sing in Rigoletto. Baritone Youngjoo An, the 2013 Verismo Opera Vocal Competition's second prize winner, has performed in the company's productions of La Bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor and La Gioconda.

Auditions

Preliminary auditions will take place in 2016 on November 7, 9, and 14 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and November 12 and 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Yeoryia Megremis Studios in New York City at the Epic Building located at 2067 Broadway, 5th floor, Otello Room. The application deadline is October 31, 2016. Final auditions will be held at The Liederkranz Foundation, 6 East 87 Street in New York City, on January 4, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. A professional accompanist will be provided to all participants at the preliminary and final auditions.

The early bird registration fee, $55, is in effect through July 31, 2016, changing to $75 on August 1, 2016. Payment may be made securely online at the bottom of the page or by check made out and sent to Verismo Opera, P.O. Box 3024, Fort Lee, NJ 07024-9024.

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

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. For further information or to schedule an audition appointment, contact info@verismopera.org or call (201) 886-0561.