NY Opera Conservatory's Free Summer Concert Series First Act Begins

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — The stage is set and a summer of free opera performances by rising talents is upon us again. Bravo.

The Taconic Opera's summer program for emerging opera singers, the New York Opera Conservatory (NYOC), will be offering the community a chance to hear the upcoming generation of professionally trained singers as they gain valuable experience perfecting their craft in a leading role.

The NYOC was established in 2018 in order to fill an unmet need among trained singers to gain valuable hands-on experience through actual performance.

Each event in the series will have a different cast, making every performance completely unique from all the others. Each performance will include the complete opera and will be semi-staged with costumes and props.

July Opera: Il Trovatore – Verdi
"Verdi’s turbulent tragedy is a mainstay of the operatic repertory. The score is both dark and energetic, with infectious tunes that are not easily forgotten. Set in the turbulent Middle Ages, the story is about a count seeking revenge for the murder of his brother by the gypsy girl Azucena, who just happens to have raised the Count’s arch-enemy Manrico. This opera features the playful Anvil Chorus and the rousing tenor aria Di quella pira, a favorite in concert performances by Pavarotti, Domingo, et al. Sung in Italian."

Dates:

• Wed., July 3, 7 p.m.
• Fri., July 5, 7 p.m.
• Sat., July 6, 7 p.m.
• Sun., July 7, 3 p.m.

August Opera: Dona Pasquale – Donizetti
"The second opera performed as part of the NYOC summer series is Donizetti’s hilarious comedy, Don Pasquale. A bumbling buffoon is taught a life lesson as he is tricked into a fake marriage with a young woman who turns into a demanding shrew. Taconic Opera’s favorite hilarious mainstage buffo, Jorge Ocasio, joins the Conservatory’s young cast to sing the title role. Sung in Italian."

Dates:

• Wed., August 7, 7 p.m.
• Fri., August 9, 7 p.m.
• Sat., August 10, 7 p.m.
• Sun., August 11, 3 p.m.

The free performances will take place at the Croton Free Library, located at 171 Cleveland Drive, in Croton-on-Hudson.

Find more information about becoming a student in the NY Opera Conservatory, here. More information about the Taconic Opera and NY Opera Conservatory events can be found here.