On March 14 and 15, New Jersey Festival Orchestra brings together two operatic legends for the very first time as Wagner's monumental drama Die Walküre meets the tragic pathos of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. A cast of internationally acclaimed guest performers from New York's Metropolitan Opera and beyond joins NJFO to present, fully staged, these two operatic masterpieces - an unlikely couple united by the tragedy and trauma of forbidden love. Performances will take place in Westfield and Madison.
“I think this might be the first time in history that these two works have been performed together declared NJFO Music Director David Wroe. “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, New Jersey, 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, staring 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 broadcasted worldwide in HD movie theaters, aired on PBS, WQXR Radio, and Satellite Radio.
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. She 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, Mr. 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. 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 a partnership with Ray Catena Mercedes Benz of Union with additional generous support from the NJ State Council on the Arts and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Opera’s Ultimate Odd Couple will take place on Saturday, March 14 at 7:00pm at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield with a free pre-concert lecture by Michael Rosin at 6:00pm. It will also be presented on Sunday March 15 at 3:00pm at The Concert Hall, Drew University in Madison.
Tickets for both concerts ($30-$76, students U21 $15) are available for purchase online. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the box office (908) 232-9400.
