NJ Festival Orchestra to marry ‘Walküre’ and ‘Pagliacci’ in Madison, March 15

David Wroe conducts the New Jersey Festival Orchestra
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By Marie Pfeifer

The New Jersey Festival Orchestra this month will bring together two operatic legends for perhaps the first time, as Wagner’s monumental drama Die Walküre meets the tragic pathos of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci.

Maestro David Wroe, director of New Jersey Festival Orchestra, and a cast of internationally acclaimed guest performers from New York’s Metropolitan Opera and beyond will join the NJFO in Westfield on March 14, 2020, and at Drew University in Madison on March 15, to present, fully staged, these two operatic masterpieces — an unlikely couple united by the tragedy and trauma of forbidden love.

“I think this might be the first time in history that these two works have been performed together” Wroe said. “Whether this coupling is considered madness or pure genius, I believe that all will agree this is a truly grand event of magnificent opera.”

First up, NJFO will present Act 1 of Die Walküre, (The Valkyrie), the second work in Richard Wagner’s monumental four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen.

Recounting the epic mythological story of the incestuous lovers Siegmund and Sieglinde, offspring of the god Wotan, Die Walküre (1856) is admired for its exploration of complex family entanglements and glorious music of astonishing power and complexity.

Second on the agenda is Leoncavallo’s 1892 Pagliacci (Clowns), which also depicts a story of illicit love — but this time a gritty, down-to-earth presentation of jealousy and retribution among characters drawn from everyday life.

Renowned for its operatic “verismo” style, featuring emotionally charged harmonies and melodies, this short Italian work includes some of opera’s most famous “easy listening” tunes, such as Canio the clown’s tragic soliloquy Vesti la giubba, made famous by Enrico Caruso.

“These two operatic staples, diametrically opposed on a stylistic level, hold a commonality in that they both present shockingly ‘peculiar’ love couplings,” explained Wroe.

Innovative and visionary stage and costume design by Stage Director Maria Todaro further intensifies the juxtaposition of the two operas: Die Walküre is set in a futuristic, apocalyptic world. I Pagliacci will take place in the Wild West.

Continued Wroe: “We believe opposites can attract and so there is something for everyone in this evening of spectacular opera.

“Sophisticated aficionados of Wagner will easily recognize and appreciate the genius of I Pagliacci set in a period of myth-making cowboys, gunslingers, and saloon madams. Those looking for the “verismo” of I Pagliacci should be prepared to be converted to Wagner by Ms. Todaro’s extraordinary Mad Max interpretation!”

A cast of internationally acclaimed guest performers, assembled from Maestro Wroe’s extensive contacts in European and American opera houses, joins NJFO to present the two operas.

Metropolitan Opera’s Adam Laurence Herskowitz, who hails from Livingston, sings the role of Seigmund (Die Walküre).

Known internationally for his work as a dramatic tenor and lauded by Steve Callahan of KDHX News as “a most beautiful and powerful tenor,” some of his MET highlights include roles in Simon Boccanegra, starring Placido Domingo and conducted by James Levine; Aida, Die Zauberflöte, and La Fanciulla del West, and the MET Japan tour of Don Carlo.  Many of Mr. Herskowitz’ performances have been broadcast worldwide in HD movie theaters, aired on PBS, WQXR Radio, and Satellite Radio.

Amber Smoke

Lauded by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for her “beautiful high range,” American dramatic soprano Amber Smoke sings the role of Seigmund’s twin sister Sieglinde (Die Walküre), a role she performed in St Louis to great critical acclaim.

Smoke recently debuted the role of Elisabeth in Wagner’s Tannhäuser with Apotheosis Opera, and appeared in concert with Empire Opera as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss.

World renowned bass Steven Fredericks performs the role of Hunding, Sieglinde’s brutish and sinister husband (Die Walküre).

With a sound combining clarity, strength, and integrity, Fredericks is one of the most exciting voices on the opera circuit today. He recently sang Marke in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde with Connecticut Lyric, Commendatore in Don Giovanni with Salt Marsh Opera, Filippo in Don Carlo with Fulham Opera (London), and soloed in Konzert Opera Firenze (Italy) performances of Rossini’s Stabat Mater and Mozart’s Requiem.

The cast of Pagliacci stars 2019 Metropolitan Opera National Council finalist Jeremy Brauner as Canio, whose personal travails have tragic reverberations when he performs on the stage.

Marcelina Beucher

Internationally acclaimed Polish soprano Marcelina Beucher adds Nedda, Canio’s wife, to her repertory. Acclaimed Mexican baritone Jose Perez, who recently appeared at the Hollywood Bowl as Dancaïro in Carmen with the LA Philharmonic under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel, sings the role of Tonio.

American baritone Jonathan Ryan performs as Nedda’s lover Silvio and Metropolitan Opera tenor TJ Capobianco is Beppe.

“We are thrilled to be joined by these fabulous singers,” continued Wroe.

“Each of them is a star who has already graced the stages of some of the most magnificent concert halls and opera houses across the world. With their outstanding technique and artistic interpretation of these magnificent works I predict that there will not be a dry eye in the house!”

Sung in German/Italian with English supertitles, NJFO’s Joseph T. DeAlessandro Memorial Opera Concert has been made possible through additional generous support from the NJ State Council on the Arts and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

About the Conductor

Maestro David Wroe began his love affair with music as a 9-year old in Yorkshire, England, when his father introduced him to the choir at the family’s Church. After the choir director proclaimed that young David “sang like an angel” he was shipped off to the Ripon Cathedral Choir School, an English boarding school.

To his surprise and delight he loved singing. Wroe’s eyes light up as he shares his experiences there.  “Every moment was organized, and we had to learn 150 new psalms each month.”

He was immersed in the discipline necessary for a talented child to blossom into a talented professional musician. He also played the cello. As he matured and developed his musical talent, he realized that conducting was his true passion.

In college, Wroe studied conducting and formed several music groups. He came to America to pursue a career in music. He joined the Westfield Symphony Orchestra 15 years ago as its director and was instrumental in graduating the WSO to the next level: A statewide entity with a statewide brand –- the New Jersey Festival Orchestra.

“The new name stands for an ongoing celebration of the diversity of music,” Wroe remarked. “It is a celebration not only of our musical excellence but also of our ability to create experiences that stretch the boundaries of traditional orchestral performances.”

This unique orchestra also stretches the boundaries with the development of an outreach program, the Music Caravan for children. Caravan is a volunteer effort providing group instruction and private music lessons to students.

How the NJFO Performs the Music Caravan Program

Sadly, few urban area schools provide the opportunities for their students to experience the energy and excitement created by a live professional performance.  To enhance children’s’ comprehension of classical music as well as their appreciation, and to stimulate their minds in general, the NJ Festival Orchestra has created a Music Caravan.

This outreach program is specifically designed to reach communities and institutions that might not otherwise have access to cultural stimuli and offers live classical music performances by professional musicians, along with a highly interactive educational experience.  This adventure in music is personally led by the orchestra’s internationally acclaimed music director, David Wroe.

The many facets of NJFO’s outreach requires a willing band of volunteers and, of course, raising funds is paramount to the success of any organization. The formation of the Ambassadors of the New Jersey Festival Orchestra was spearheaded by Judy Chadourne to support NJFO.

Their mission, in addition to raising funds, is to project the image of NJFO as it grows its audience, while providing education and music therapy in Morris County and beyond. Their outreach music program has been expanded to include music therapy at the Morristown Medical Center cancer program.

NJFO also enjoys the distinction as House Orchestra at the Mayo Performing Arts Center.

TICKETS and INFORMATION

Saturday, March 14, at 7 pm

Free pre-concert lecture by Michael Rosin at 6 pm
The Presbyterian Church, Westfield, NJ

Sunday, March 15, at 3pm

The Concert Hall
Drew University, Madison, NJ

Tickets for both concerts ($30-$76, students under 18, $15) are available online at www.njfestivalorchestra.org, or by calling 908-232-9400.

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