Opera at Florham adds the drama of opera to the music of the holidays this Sunday, December 2 at 2pm at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison.
Three dynamic young opera singers are joined by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s talented Stars of Tomorrow in a holiday concert that includes duets from La Bohème and Fauré’s Requiem, traditional and contemporary carols, Hebrew melodies, an African-American spiritual and songs from Broadway and the American Songbook. The full company comes together for a finale of “O Holy Night.”
The stage is set in the stunning, historic Mansion decorated for the holidays at Fairleigh Dickinson University‘s Florham Park/Madison campus.
Soprano Mia Pafumi returns to the Opera at Florham stage. She is a prize winner of multiple voice competitions including Opera at Florham’s 2014 Vocal Competition. Observes Mia, “The holidays for me have always been about the music, traditions, and togetherness. I’m so blessed to share in this musical holiday celebration with Opera at Florham by singing some of my family’s favorite holiday melodies.”
Mia sings a number of classical music duets and the popular, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” with tenor Patrick D. Robertson, who recently performed with the New Jersey Symphony at NJPAC. Both artists perform solos, as well.
Student cantor Stefanie Greene sings a traditional Hebrew song and a funerary prayer in memory of the lives lost in the recent shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue. “I am so looking forward to sharing some rarely performed Hanukkah art songs with the Opera at Florham community. These songs honor the Golden Age of Cantors, including the illustrious tenor (and Cantor) Richard Tucker.”
Mary Pinto, the program organizer and creative director accompanies the vocalists on piano.
Opera at Florham is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that presents low-cost, high-quality vocal events that reach beyond traditional opera. The organization is supported by donors, fans and grants such as Morris Arts.
There are 5 musicales per season, including the internationally acclaimed Vocal Competition on May 5, 2019. The next program in the 2018-19 series is A Tribute to Opera Legend Licia Albanese on April 14th.
Musicales are performed in residence at Fairleigh Dickinson University, 285 Madison Ave, Madison. Venue is handicap accessible. Plenty of parking with a shuttle.
Tickets are available online or at the door: general admission $30, seniors $25, students (22 & under) only $10! FDU students (22 & under) and children (12 & under) FREE. Groups 10+ $20 per person (call to make arrangements, buses are welcome).
