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Return to Latest Press ReleasesThe New Jersey State Opera Presents
Destination: Opera!
Weekend Opera Festival Featuring Performances Of
Verdi’s Requiem, Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona
With Internationally Renowned Soloists, Dr. Jason Tramm, Conductor
September 11 – 13, 2009
Great Auditorium/Youth Temple, Ocean Grove, NJ
8-14-2009
Ocean Grove Camp Meeting and the New Jersey State Opera will present their second annual weekend opera festival, Destination: Opera!, from Friday September 11 – Sunday, September 13 2009, at the Great Auditorium and Youth Temple in Ocean Grove, NJ. Ticket prices range from $45 to $10, with group discounts for parties of 15 or more. Visit www.oceangrove.org or call (800) 965-9324. The Great Auditorium and Youth Temple are located at Pilgrim and Ocean Pathways. All facilities are handicapped accessible.
Destination: Opera! will kick off on Friday, September 11, 3 pm at Bishop Janes Tabernacle with a panel discussion on building a statewide Festival of the Arts at the Jersey Shore, lead by NJS Opera Artistic Director Dr. Jason Tramm. At 8 pm, the NJSO will host a reception at Parlor Gallery 717 Cookman Ave Asbury Park, NJ 07712.
On Saturday, September 12 (8 PM-Great Auditorium), Maestro Tramm will conduct the NJSO Orchestra and Chorus in Verdi’s moving Requiem with four internationally acclaimed soloists: Soprano Anna Shafajinskia, Tenor Franco Tenelli, Mezzo-Soprano Eugenie Grunewald and Bass Samuel De Palma.
On Sunday September 13 (3 PM – Youth Temple), Maestro Tramm will conduct Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona featuring American Bass/Baritone Patrick Blackwell as Uberto. Patrick is a Juilliard School graduate who made his New York City Opera debut singing the role of Colline in Puccini’s La Bohème. American newcomer Lucia Song sings the role of Serpina.
Tramm says: “The vision for Destination: Opera! is to be a summer long international festival of music and art at the Jersey Shore. The Festival celebrates the integration of high level artistic performance, education and opportunity for new and exciting talent to work with established professionals. The cooperation of local, national and international art groups set in the natural beauty of the New Jersey shoreline will make Destination: Opera! an event people return to year after year.”
Conductor/Soloists Bios
Anna Shafajinskia, born in the Ukraine, was chosen by Luciano Pavarotti to debut her professional singing career opposite him in Tosca. She has performed throughout Europe, including London’s Covent Garden, The Oslo Opera House, Berlin’s Deutsche Oper and many other cities. Her rich dramatic soprano voice makes her the perfect choice for the Requiem.
Canadian Tenor Franco Tenelli studied opera in Europe and premiered with Tbilisi National Opera in Georgia. Franco has performed throughout Europe and America and was featured in concert on Italian television.
American Mezzo-Soprano Eugenie Grunewald has sung with the New Jersey State Opera in pervious performances and is a sought after artist on the concert stage throughout the world. Eugenie’s full rich voice has made her the Mezzo of choice for Requiem.
Chilean Bass Samuel De Palma is a frequent artist with the New Jersey State Opera and has performed throughout Europe and the Americas. His rich, warm and vibrant Italianate timbre that spans a three-octave range of virtuoso legato singing is reminiscent of the Golden Age of Opera.
Dr. Jason C. Tramm has presented performances that have been hailed by critics as "tender and luminous" and "powerful evocations of grandeur." In addition to his position with the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Dr. Tramm presently serves as Musical Director of Coro Lirico; Artistic Director of the Summit Music Festival; Director of the Vocal Division of the International Concert Alliance; and Chorus Master of the New Jersey State Opera.
Through his association with the New Jersey State Opera, Dr. Tramm apprenticed under his principal mentor, the late Alfredo Silipigni. Founder and Artistic Director Maestro Silipigni invited Dr. Tramm to conduct the 40th Anniversary Concert of the opera company. In April 2007, Tramm conducted Verdi's Requiem and dedicated it to the memory of Maestro Silipigni. One critic commented that "Tramm's leadership and conducting of this performance shared many of the same qualities that made Silipigni such a highly admired rarity."
Education and working with young musicians has always been a central part of Dr. Tramm's career. Having taught on the music faculties of both Rutgers and Drew Universities, he has directed ensembles, both choral and orchestral, and taught courses in conducting. He also maintains a private studio where he coaches many fine young singers. Dr. Tramm holds degrees in music from the Crane School, the Hart School, and a DMA from Rutgers University where he was the recipient of its prestigious Presidential Fellowship. In 2003 he joined the ranks of Metropolitan Opera stars Renee Fleming and Stephanie Blythe in being honored with the Rising Star Award from the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association.
Don’t miss this fabulous weekend at the shore. Make your reservations at one of our charming Victorian Bed and Breakfasts and stay the weekend. Tickets are on sale now for both performances. For more information visit destinationopera.com or call (800) 965-9324.
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