Vocal Competition Draws Rising Stars From Around Globe

Fort Lee’s New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera’s 2011-2012 Annual International Vocal Competition ended on a high note this year, drawing vocalists from throughout the U.S., Canada and Italy. 

Brian B. Carter from Lindenwold, NJ won first prize and a $2,000 award. Armina Kassabian of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada took second, earning a $1,000 prize, and Jonathon Estabrooks from Manhattan received the $500 third-place prize.

The panel of luminary judges, who undertook the difficult task of selecting the finalists and award recipients, were soprano Elaine Malbin, tenor Cesare Santeramo, baritone Theodore Lambrinos, mezzo-soprano Nedda Casei and tenor Fransisco Casanova.

“The quality of the finalists was excellent this year and some of the best singers we have heard in a long while. The acting and singing were both intense, which is always a great combination,” said judges Lambrinos and Casei, who have served on Verismo Opera’s vocal competition selection panels many times over the years.

Finalists received intensive coaching on language, style and presentation and training from Verismo Opera’s Artistic Director Lucine Amara and General Manager Evelyn La Quaif. 

“All showed great musicality, but often the acting was just not there," said Amara. "They were very receptive to our corrections and suggestions and embodied our suggestions with great enthusiasm.”

Teaching them to become the characters they perform was an integral part of the coaching. 

“It was most important to me as a director to motivate them into their characters. As is often the case, artists just stand there and sing. This is not ‘being’ in your character and becomes extremely boring for the audiences or the judges. Great acting truly helps the voice in so many ways,” explained La Quaif.

All applicants were encouraged to contact the company after the competition to get their evaluations. 

“Several of the applicants commented that no other vocal competition offers this feedback," said competition coordinator Mary Ellen Rohon. "They were absolutely amazed by this offer. They’ve never had this provided to them. This is very unique to Verismo Opera.”

Verismo Opera’s competition filled a void left by the closure of performing companies around the globe over the last 30 years.  

“This has limited the number of people able to perform on a professional stage," said Fort Lee resident and Verismo Opera President Giovanni Simone. "New Jersey is a good example of the serious current state of the arts, particularly the performing artist unable to get the professional training to jump to the next level.Programs like the Merola program offered by the San Francisco Opera House or the apprentice program sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera are very limited in the number of positions available.”

Along with the coaching received during the competition, the finalists have the opportunity to perform in Verismo Opera’s fully staged productions. Competition winner Carter has been cast to perform the role of Sharpless in the company’s production of Madama Butterfly on October 7 at 3 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood.

24th Annual International Vocal Competition

The company is already making plans for its next Annual International Vocal Competition. Verismo Opera is accepting applications for its 2012-2013 competition.

"Our competitions are unique from those held by other companies throughout the year." Simone said. "At Verismo, we offer anyone with a real talent and any age the possibility of performing and learning all the different sides of performing on stage. That's our motto and our commitment since 1989. We offer performing opportunities in a professional setting.”

The annual competition provides an opportunity for up-and-coming singers to learn and perform in a professional operatic environment. 

“With a small investment, we help to finance their future careers." Amara said. "Winners receive cash awards totaling $3,500. They also receive extensive personal coaching and performing opportunities.”

The competition also draws attention to Fort Lee and Bergen County.

“Verismo Opera’s vocal competition puts Fort Lee and Bergen County on the international radar," Simone said. "The current financial situation has greatly reduced the number of international competitions being held, both in the U.S. and abroad. The possibility for a foreign artist to have a performance opportunity in this country and being able to be heard by an artist management agency in a professional setting gives any participant a rare opportunity.”

Simone added that the competition and the organization’s productions generate employment and financial activity in the area.

“The vocal competition’s applicants, vocalists in our productions, the production crew, choristers, musicians, directors, and audiences dine in the restaurants in the area," he said. "When applicants request a place to stay during the auditions, we recommend hotels, restaurants and transportation in the area.  We always suggest the due to its proximity to the George Washington Bridge and transportation.”

Audition Dates

Preliminary auditions for the 2012-2013 vocal competition will be held at The Epic Building at 2067 Broadway (between 71 and 72 Streets) on the fifth floor of the Otello Studio in New York City.

Auditions will be held on the following dates: Mondays November 12 and 19 from 5 to 9 p.m.; Wednesdays November 7 and 14 from 5 to 9 p.m.; Fridays November 9 and 16 from 5 to 9 p.m.; and Saturdays November 10 and November 17 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Final auditions will take place in January 2013 at a location to be announced.

An online application can be completed at www.njavo.org, with an application fee of $55 due by July 31, 2012 and $75 after that date. 

For more information, call 201-886-0561.

Support the Annual Vocal Competition

Verismo Opera seeks support from the public to fund the free vocal coaching and training provided and to help talented artists who are experiencing economic hardship and cannot afford to apply to the 2012-2013 vocal competition.

“People can support this program with a contribution to the Verismo Opera Fund." Simone said. "Supporters contributing $100 or more to the Fund will receive a CD set of the historic, live performance of Il Trovatore starring Lucine Amara as Leonora, Carlo Bergonzi as Manrico, Robert Merrill as Count De Luna, and Jean Madeira as Azucena under Conductor Fausto Cleva.”

Donations can be mailed to the Verismo Opera Fund, NJAVO, P.O. Box 3024, Fort Lee, NJ 07024-9024.