William Paterson University Presents Opera Workshop on November 19 and 20 Scenes from the operas “Die Fledermaus” by Strauss, “Cosi fan tutte” by Mozart, “The Elixir of Love” by Donizetti, “The Medium” by Menotti and “Lakme” by Delibes will be performed by members of William Paterson University’s Opera Workshop on Wednesday, November 19, and Thursday, November 20 at 8 p.m. The performances, which will be staged, costumed and performed in the original language, will take place in University’s Shea Center for Performing Arts, Room 101. Tickets are $7 general and $5 for William Paterson community, senior citizens and students. Vocalists include students Michael Kern of Ringwood, Sarah Ciccarelli of Galloway, Anna Petrillo of Bayonne, Ashley Overa of Long Valley, John Westlake of Glen Gardner, Catherine VanderBok of Hardyston, Shannon Frick of Sparta and Camilla Pietras of Hasbrouck Heights. Stephen Bryant, professor of music and director of choral activities at William Paterson, will direct the scenes. Mary Pinto, adjunct professor and vocal coach, is the accompanist. Bryant’s distinguished career in concert and opera has taken him around the world, with acclaimed performances in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. A bass-baritone, he has numerous oratorio and opera credits. He created the major role of Dante for the world premiere of Tan Dun’s “Marco Polo” in 1996, and was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award in the Best Opera Recording category for a recording of a new production of the opera staged for De Nederlandse Opera in Amsterdam in 2008. Bryant has performed the opera at the Munich Biennale, the Holland Festival in Amsterdam, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, New York City Opera, and with the Japan Philharmonic in Tokyo. He has sung with the New York City Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Santa Fe Opera, the Indianapolis Opera, and other companies of renown, and performed with major orchestras from the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra to the Israel Philharmonic and Japan Philharmonic. He is a resident of Montclair. For additional information on the concert, please call the Shea Center Box Office at 973-720-2371. # # # 11/03/14
