This aria from “Verdiana” is a segment of “La vergine degli angeli” from Verdi’s La Forza del Destino. Soprano Sharon Azrieli-Perez performs with the Men’s Chorus. Blogfinger video clip.

Last night’s MidAtlantic Opera extravaganza was a big success. The musicianship by the orchestra, choir and soloists was excellent. The participants, led by Maestro Jason Tramm, gave their all to create a very special event.

The fine choir from Seton Hall University had about 80 people participating, and the 40 orchestra musicians were first rate. We especially enjoyed watching the first chair cellist and the harpist who were sitting out front.

The soloists were superb including Ocean Grove’s Ronald Nald, tenor. Others included Christina Major, soprano; Jeremy Galyon, bass; Jordan Shanahan, baritone; Sharon Azrieli-Perez, soprano.; and Sara Murphy Mezzo-soprano. The variety of music was impressive including highlights from Aida, La Traviata, Don Carlo, La Forza del Destino, Nabucco, Ernani, and Rigoletto. The concert concluded with a rousing rendition by all the soloists of “Brindisi” from La Traviata

The narration and the film clips were quite unusual and enjoyable as presented by August Ventura, a film-maker who showed parts of his independent documentary called “27” which is about the Verdi culture which exists in Parma, Italy.

10% of the concert receipts will go to the Great Auditorium for the roof repair.

It was a thrill to be able to sit down close and watch the 150 people on stage combining to perform a very special multi-media concert. It’s amazing to see a production like that in our town—a 10 minute walk from our house.

Dick and Luisa Kroner from Walden, New York are big opera fans. Dick insisted we get there early for a good seat. Eileen Goldfinger is listening to Dick explain his new smart phone which he got from Samsung and Delilah. Blogfinger photo

We met people who sat near us who ordinarily do not visit Ocean Grove including a parent from the Seton Hall University Choir whose son is a bass, friends of the performers, and our guests who came from the Hudson Valley. Luisa and Dick, who have a subscription to the Met in New York, loved the event and they were amazed at the Great Auditorium. We saw Dave Lotz, the publicist, who cried at the Aida highlights. Carl Hoffman of Mt. Tabor Way was there. He’s not usually a “classical guy” but the $25.00 seats brought him in , and he liked the concert very much. We saw two young boys in front of us who managed to pay attention for the 2 1/2 hour event.

I got a kick out of the film of children in Parma, Italy who put on Verdi operas by lip synching the music. It was hysterical seeing a small boy with the voice of a deep operatic bass.

It was a cool night in the GA. The doors were all open, and I saw no one sleeping except for the woman sitting next to me, you know whom I mean, who dozed off a bit during the long second act. This was a crowd of opera lovers, and they don’t sleep during Verdi.

—-By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

Outside the Great Auditorium, the refreshment sellers were dressed for the occasion:

Fred Ohleth, Linda Conselyea, (R) and Barbara Davies of the OG Auditorium Refreshment Service. Fred said, “We look like the Met Opera staff but we didn’t charge Met Opera prices. Great concert.” Photo by the refreshment staff.

Here is a comprehensive article about the event by NJ.com. See link below:

MidAtlantic Opera link for Verdiana: NJ.com link for Verdiana