FACT SHEET

What: Alfredo Silipigni - His Vision and His Music; a Memorial Tribute Concert

Overview: A concert in celebration of the life and legacy of Alfredo Silipigni (deceased March 26, 2006) , commemorating his forty years as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the New Jersey State Opera (http://www.njstateopera.org/maestro.html). Featuring the New Jersey State Opera Orchestra and Chorus with Invited Soloists and Guests. Conducted by Joseph Colaneri, member of the conducting roster of the Metropolitan Opera and Artistic Director of the Mannes Opera at Mannes College of Music in New York City, with Jason Tramm as Chorus Master. Musical selections will include works by Mascagni, Puccini and Verdi.

When and Where: June 12, 2006 at 7:30 pm in Prudential Hall at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (http://www.njpac.org) , Newark, NJ.

Background: Maestro Silipigni, a native son of New Jersey (born Atlantic City), who passed away on March 26, 2006, was instrumental in the founding of what emerged as the New Jersey State Opera company over 40 years ago and had served since that time as its principal conductor and artistic director. Maestro Silipigni brought to the New Jersey stage a level of excellence in collaboration with many of opera’s most celebrated artists, among them, Licia Albanese, Beverly Sills, Birgit Nilsson, Magda Olivero, Richard Tucker, Robert Merrill, Jerome Hines, Franco Corelli, Anna Moffo, Sumi Jo, Carlo Bergonzi, Roberta Peters, James McCracken, Sherrill Milnes, Samuel Ramey, James Morris and Placido Domingo. Equally important, Maestro Silipigni’s authoritative performances of the verismo repertoire, most recently with Teatro Grattacielo (http://www.grattacielo.org/) in Alice Tully hall, NY, created a unique venue for emerging young singers, musicians and practitioners of operatic stagecraft. Through the artistic excellence of Maestro Silipigni thousands of New Jersey and New York residents experienced great, grand opera, many for the first time. Maestro Silipigni’s commitment to the music and education programs of the New Jersey State Opera touched all our lives and furthered the cultural life of our states by bringing to the Tri-State area world premier productions and performances of international renown.

Program Components:

· Conducted by New Jersey native, Joseph Colaneri. Mo. Colaneri is on the roster on the Metropolitan Opera and is the Artistic Director of Mannes Opera at the Mannes School of Music, NYC http://www.mannes.newschool.edu/ and http://www.janicemayer.com/colaneri/index.htm

· Chorus Master for the concert is Jason Tramm. As well as being NJSOpera’s resident chorus master, Mo. Tramm is the Artistic Director of Coro Lirico (http://www.corolirico.org/index.html) and Director of the Summit Music Festival, Summit, NJ (http://www.summitmusicfestivalnj.com/)

-MORE-

· Performers (to date) are

o Ronald Naldi (lyric tenor) –on the Metropolitan Opera roster

http://ghf-nj.org/RNaldi.htm

http://www.oceangrove.org/ronald_naldi.html

o Anna Tonna (mezzo-soprano) http://www.annatonna.com/

o Laura Zupa D’Avella (soprano) – New Jersey State Opera Young Artist

o Byung-Kook Kwak (violin) – Concertmaster, NJSOpera Orchestra

o New Jersey State Opera Chorus

http://www.njstateopera.org/chorus.html

o New Jersey State Opera Orchestra

For More Information:

Contact: Donna J. Nichols-Lawrence, Assistant to the Artistic Director

Phone: 973-984-6081

Email: djnlawrence@njstateopera.org

About the New Jersey State Opera:

· Mission Statement: “The mission of the New Jersey State Opera is to present the finest operatic performances possible to the people of New Jersey and the region, to educate the public to a love and appreciation of the art form, and to offer a programming alternative to the opera productions presented by other major companies in our area.” (http://www.njstateopera.org/mission.html)

· History: The New Jersey State Opera was founded began as the Opera theater of Westfield in 1964 Before its 1965 season, Alfredo Silipigni was engaged as Principal Conductor and Artistic Director and the name was changed to Opera Theatre of New Jersey.  Performances were given in Westfield and Scotch Plains/Fanwood High Schools until, in November 1968, a production of Gounod’s Faust starring Jerome Hines and Licia Albanese was presented in Newark Symphony Hall, the company’s home until the opening of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in 1998. Over the years, the New Jersey State Opera has brought to its audiences many memorable operatic experiences. The New Jersey State Opera is the only company, resident or touring, in the state that presents opera productions unabridged in every aspect specializing in grand opera, with full orchestration, full chorus, internationally acclaimed singers, sets, costumes and lighting of the highest professional quality (http://www.njstateopera.org/history.html).

· Other activities: These productions are augmented by a diverse Education and Out-reach Program (http://www.njstateopera.org/education.html) and the International Vocal Competition (http://www.njstateopera.org/voc_comp.htm).

· Support: The programs of the Company receive support from corporations, foundations and individuals (http://www.njstateopera.org/support.html) and the New Jersey State Opera Guild (http://www.njstateopera.org/guild.html).

· Board: The members of the New Jersey State Opera Board offer active and on-going leadership and support to the organization, its programs and activities (http://www.njstateopera.org/board.html).

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