International Opera stars join NJ Festival Orchestra for operatic double-bill

International guest soloists join NJ Festival Orchestra and Opera at Florham in operatic double-bill.

On Sunday March 8th at 3pm at Ridge Performing Arts Center, Basking Ridge, New Jersey Festival Orchestra and Opera at Florham present Love Triangles – Comic and Deadly, a sensational in-concert operatic double-bill of tales of love, jealousy and passion, featuring a host of renowned international guest soloists.

Love can inspire the human spirit to soar skyward, but it is the corrosive element of jealousy that plunges it into the depths of darkness. Guest soloists from the New York Metropolitan Opera and beyond join NJFO and Opera at Florham to present two interpretations on jealousy: Scarmolin’s Interrupted Serenade, a lighthearted farce in the tradition of Mozart and Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, a renowned serious love triangle, where the only resolution is murder. Maestro David Wroe leads the orchestra and soloists through the stunning scores.

“We are bringing the dull winter months to life with a truly grand afternoon of opera,” explained Maestro Wroe. “Love is complicated as we all know, and these two highly accessible operas come together to provide two completely different in-concert takes on the theme of jealousy. One is lighthearted – the other deadly serious. I think audiences will find each interpretation both fascinating and compelling.”

Cavalleria Rusticana is a favorite razor-sharp thriller with a rich melodic score that made composer Pietro Mascagni famous overnight. Set in a remote Sicilian village on Easter day, the story flares with conflict between love and honor, and justice and violence. Although loaded with bold confrontational scenes, it contains the serene romantic bliss of one of the most beautiful pieces of music - Mascagni’s famous “Intermezzo”. Scarmolin’s Interrupted Serenade, a rarely performed lighthearted masterpiece in the tradition of an Opera Buffa, counterpoints Mascagni’s renowned drama.

Music Director David Wroe blends international soloists of the first magnitude to bring these two exciting operas to life. Joan Del Giudice, President of Opera at Florham, states “We are thrilled to bring these seasoned soloists to our audience here in central New Jersey. Each of them has graced the stages of concert halls and opera houses across the world. With their outstanding technique and artistry, they are sure to delight and inspire the audience.”

Featuring as Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana and Alfred in The Interrupted Serenade is celebrated NY Metropolitan Opera Tenor, Raúl Melo. Starring as the scheming Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana is soprano Kristin Sampson who has been praised by The New York Times as a “plush-voiced soprano” and a “rich and ample dramatic soprano” by Opera Insider. Acclaimed baritone, Joshua Jeremiah sings the roles of Alfio (Cavalleria) and Arnoldo (Interrupted Serenade). Mr. Jeremiah has been described by critics across the country as “splendid”, “other-worldly”, and “exuding of confidence”.

A short lecture and pre-opera chat designed to enhance the opera experience will be conducted by esteemed musicologist Dr John Sichel at 2.15pm.

This not-to-be-missed production has been made possible through the generous support of the A Louis Scarmolin Trust, the NJ State Council on the Arts and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

TICKETS and INFORMATION

Tickets ($26-$75, students $13) are available online at www.njfestivalorchestra.org. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the box office at (973) 408-3978.