Join soprano Kirsten Chambers and bass baritone Andrew Richardson at Opera at Florham‘s season opener Viva Verismo: Exploring the realism in opera.
The concert takes place on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at 3 pm at St. Margaret Church in Morristown.
The program presents operatic selections with relatable story lines reflecting the drama of real life. Reality and truth are revealed through dramatic scenes from opera and musical theater.
The singers are accompanied by organist Frank Fano and pianist Mary Pinto. Narration is provided by Fairleigh Dickinson University vocal instructor Mariana Karpatova.
Pinto, artistic director for Opera at Florham, explains in the program:
“After a season of COVID, I felt the audience needed to experience something ‘real’ in opera. I chose selections in which our heroine and hero go through realistic emotions within the dramatic musical scenarios of opera.
“Scenes and arias from Verdi’s Nabucco, Ernani and Don Carlo and Puccini’s Tosca are sung by Metropolitan Opera soprano Kirsten Chambers and the powerful voice of bass baritone Andrew Richardson. Leave your cares behind and enjoy the drama of happiness, hypocrisy and revenge all in one afternoon.”
Kirsten Chambers, soprano, is most known for her portrayal of Salome, made her Carnegie Hall debut with only two days’ notice and sang the role of Maria in Friedenstag. She joined the Metropolitan Opera roster in 2016 when she sang as cover for Isolde in Tristan und Isolde and later rejoined the roster for Die Walkure.
Andrew Richardson is a bass- baritone with a “powerful and beautiful” voice, reminiscent of an older generation of opera greats. He has developed a true Bel Canto technique that has opened his current dramatic repertoire including the Flying Dutchman, Amfortas (Parsifal), Wotan (Das Rheingold), Scarpia (Tosca), Filippo II (Don Carlos), Silvio (Ernani), Count Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Escamillo (Carmen), and many others.
Pinto is an acclaimed accompanist and vocal coach who has worked with international opera singers and major American opera companies for over 25 years.
In 2021, Ms. Pinto coached and directed scenes at the Summer Opera Festival of Morelia and coached at the Queens Summer Vocal Institute. In the fall of 2020, she performed at Black Opera’s tribute to honor the 75th Birthday of Jessye Norman.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. They can be purchased online or at the door. A season subscription for 5 events including the annual International Vocal Competition is $100.
Mindful that COVID is not over, Opera at Florham’s is concerned about the safety and well-being of our patrons and artists. The concert takes place in a large, airy venue which adheres to COVID guidelines. Masks are required.
Our 2021-22 concert series continues on Nov. 7 with La Vie de Boheme. On Dec. 5, it’s Winter Spectacular; March 27, Love, Death and Redemption; and May 1, International Vocal Competition.
Opera at Florham also is offering a fall Opera Lecture series with Lou Barrella on Saturday mornings from 10:30 am to noon, on Sept. 25 (Morris County Library), Oct. 16 (Morris County Library) and Nov. 13 (Madison Public Library). The lectures are free. Walk-ins are welcome.
Opera at Florham
, in northern New Jersey, presents professional vocalists in recital, concert, and competition from opera to musical theatre. The artists perform classics and rarities of opera and related musical repertoire enhanced by stories, history and facts about the music.
A 501(c)3 not-for-profit founded 39 years ago, the opera company’s mission is to bring Opera to Everyone by offering low-cost, high-quality events at home and out in the community; and to support young professional singers through performance opportunities and vocal competitions.
Funding has been made possible in part by funds from the Morris Arts Council through the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
