(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Montclair State University's Cali Opera Program is set to present their mainstage opera "La Calisto"  by Francesco Cavalli February 1-2, 2025. This exquisite baroque opera is directed by Rebecca Jo Loeb and conducted by Kyle Ritenauer and wrapped in the beautiful choreography of Donna Scro Samori and the dancers of the Department of Theatre & Dance. Cavalli's poignant and ruckus opera begins in the heavens when we learn that a young, beautiful nymph, Calisto, has the chance to become immortalized as a constellation among the stars.

Her story of being pursued by Zeus himself, devastated by the Goddess Diana, and finding herself in the middle of the follies and heartbreaks of an amusing cast of mythological creatures and star crossed lovers leads her down a path of ultimate humiliation and destruction. Will she find her way to the stars, or will she be cursed to live among the vengeful Gods in a beastly form.

The design team includes Matsy Stinson (costumes), Tyler Herald (scenic),  Stacey Boggs (lighting), Paul Deziel (projections).

Performances take place Saturday, February 1 at 8:00pm and Sunday, February 2nd at 3:00pm. Performances take place in the Alexander Kasser Theater located on the Montclair State University campus at Valley Road and Normal Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey. Tickets are available for purchase online.

There will also be a pre-opera talk hosted by the director, Rebecca Jo Loeb  (Located in the upstairs lobby 1 hour before each show)

The Opera Program at The John J. Cali School is led by Karen Driscoll, Head of Artistic Operations/Opera, and resides within the College of Performing Arts (CART) at Montclair State University.

They believe that opera is the one of the most inclusive and collaborative artforms in existence, bringing music, art, dance, history, and stage craft together holistically to create the highest expression of musical performance. Cali Opera emphasizes the importance of exposing its students to early music repertoire through and including the development of the 21st Century style in order to embrace the evolution of historical origins to modern styles and trends of opera today.

They offer a variety of performance opportunities spanning from a fully staged large scale opera production with orchestra, a small-scale chamber opera to a robust opera workshop scenes program.  They invite participation by all musical degree candidates (Performance, Music Ed., Music Therapy, Music Theater) and all academic levels.

With close proximity to NYC, Cali Opera also draws upon some of the best and most distinguished artists the industry has to offer. Their students also enjoy the tremendous experience of training through master classes, and guest artists in the unique John J. Cali School of Music Immersive Residency Program.

(poster artwork by Andy Bullock)