Opera

Montclair State University Opera

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.

We 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.

We 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.  We 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. Our 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.

For questions about the Cali Opera Program, please email Karen Driscoll, Head of Artistic Operations/Opera at driscollk@montclair.edu or follow us at our social pages Facebook and Instagram

To learn more about applying to The John J. Cali School of Music, visit our auditions page or email Linsay Setzer, Audition’s Coordinator at setzerl@montclair.edu 

2023/24 SEASON
Cali Chamber Opera – The Ghosts of Gatsby
Music by Evan Mack
Libretto by Joshua McGuire
Conductor: William Hobbs
Director: Karen Driscoll
Musical Preparation: William Hobbs and Ginny Stephens
Date: December 9, 2023 @ 6PM Tickets and 8PM Tickets
Location: Alexander Kasser Theater
Performance here 
Program

In 1924, on the French Riviera, we find the tumultuous relationship of Zelda and F. Scott  Fitzgerald.  Scott is not only obsessed with finishing his novel “The Great Gatsby” but is also distracted incessantly by Zelda’s unsatiated need for attention by not only him but by other men.

In a fit of jealous rage, Scott locks Zelda in a bedroom, where she finds herself visited with visions of her younger and older selves.  These visions force Zelda to contemplate her life choices and ultimately challenge her mental state while we are left wondering which one of the Zeldas is actually real.

(Sung in English with English surtitles)

Running time: approximately 1 hr

 

CALI MAINSTAGE OPERA-DIALOGUES DES CARMÉLITES 
Music and libretto by Francis Poulenc
Conductor: Kyle Ritenauer
Director:
Malena Dayen
Musical Preparation:
Victoria Schwartzman and William Hobbs
Date:
Saturday, January 27 @ 8PM Tickets | Sunday, January 28 @ 3PM Tickets
Location: 
Alexander Kasser Theater

Based on the true story of an order of Carmelite nuns who was executed by the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites is both an epic historical tragedy, and an intimate philosophical exploration of faith and humanity.

Program and Bios

(Sung in French with English surtitles)


2022/23 SEASON

SPRING 2023 OPERA WORKSHOP SCENES
Trials & Triumphs of Love

An evening of opera scenes where we navigate the ever changing terrain of love, from families, friends, foes and fiancées, to a few pirates along the way!
Director: Karen Driscoll
Musical Preparation: LeAnn Overton and Michael S. Caldwell
Date: May 8, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Location: Leshowitz Recital Hall

Program



CALI MAINSTAGE OPERA

GIANNI SCHICCHI and BUOSO’S GHOST
Music by Giacomo Puccini and Michael Ching

Conductor: Kyle Ritenauer
Director: Anna Rebek
Musical Preparation: Victoria Schwartzman and William Hobbs
Date: January 28, 2023 at 8PM and January 29, 2023 at 3PM
Location: Alexander Kasser Theater
Set in medieval Florence, the established Donati family are grieving around the deathbed of their patriarch, Buoso Donati. But when they find out he’s left their inheritance to the church – mourning turns to rage. They rope in a lower class fix-it guy, Gianni Schicchi, to change the will, in exchange for his daughter Lauretta marrying their young Rinuccio. Schicchi finds the perfect solution, executes the plan, and gets the Donati exactly what they deserve.

In the sequel to Puccini’s masterpiece, Michael Ching’s Buoso’s Ghost, Schicchi discovers a dark Donati secret. When they come back to haunt him, Schicchi screams for mercy, until he conjures up a new plan, and summons the ghost of Buoso for a little help.

Program | Bios

 



CALI CHAMBER OPERA
THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDEGROOM
Music and Libretto by Dan Shore
Director: Karen Driscoll
Musical Preparation: Beth Robin and Ginny Stephens
Date: December 10, 2022 at 6 and 8PM
Location: Alexander Kasser Theater
A charming, award-winning comedic chamber opera about a widow who longs to marry again and her ambitious pursuit of a new, much younger husband by retaining the services of the local matchmaker. The matchmaker devises a clever plan–where twists and turns lead up to an unexpected ending for everyone!

Program

2021/22 SEASON

SPRING 2022 OPERA WORKSHOP SCENES

LOOKING BACK MOVING FORWARD
Director: Karen Driscoll
Musical Preparation:  LeAnn Overton & Michael S. Caldwell
Date: May 12, 2022 at 8PM
Location: Leshowitz Recital Hall
An evening of opera and musical theater scenes where we explore the past to find the key to our future.

 

RECORDED ARIAS PROJECT (Spring 2022)
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Conductor: William Hobbs
Director: Jeffrey Gall
Recording: Rob Davidson

“Giunse al fin’ il momento….Deh vieni non tardar”, Yejin Lee, soprano
“Aprite un po’ quegli occhi”, Jason Zacher, bass-baritone
“E Susanna non vien,…Dove sono i bei momenti”, GaDa Lambert, soprano
“Hai gia vinta la causa”, Seungchan Hong, baritone

 

FALL 2021 OPERA WORKSHOP
Preview from LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Conductor: William Hobbs
Director: Jeffrey Gall
Pianist: Michael S. Caldwell
Date: December 11, 2021 at 8PM
Location: Alexander Kasser Theater

2020/21 SEASON

SPRING 2021 OPERA WORKSHOP SCENES


UNMASKING OPERA
Director: Karen Driscoll
Musical Preparation:  LeAnn Overton & Michael S. Caldwell
Date: June 6, 2021 at 8PM
Location: Offsite video projects
From Handel, Mozart, Massenet and more, our performances look beyond the stage and discover our characters’ lives both inside and out as we uncover their stories creatively through video storyboarding projects.

FALL 2020 OPERA SCENES PREVIEW
with works by Jonathan Bailey Holland and Jake Heggie
Director: Jeffrey Gall
Piano: William Hobbs & Grant Wenaus
Date: Video released March 31, 2021

Header photo by Rob Davidson