The New York Opera Alliance (NYOA) has announced NYOANext, a new citywide opera series that will highlight local artists and opera companies in each of New York City’s five boroughs. With support from OPERA America, the series is set to start in the Bronx with a festival that will take place over three days, on April 20, 22 and 23.
The initiative will start with a general audition and showcase for singers on April 20, from 12-4:30 p.m. at the Bronx Music Heritage Center. Unrepresented opera singers will have the opportunity to audition and break into the field. Artists who want to audition can sign up here, and members of the public can reserve free tickets at NYoperaalliance.org.
The main event of the Bronx initiative will take place on April 22, from 1-3 p.m. at the Lucius T Wasserman Auditorium at The Bronx House. It will consist of a matinée featuring performances by NYOA opera companies, including the Bronx Opera.
NYOANext will end with a community potlatch on April 23, at 2-4:30 p.m., where the participants and neighbors can share resources, music and food at the Bronx Music Heritage Center.
Marianna Mott Newirth, president of NYOA, says that the goal of this initiative is to encourage New Yorkers to explore new parts of the city while supporting local artists.
“Our aim is to bring this most complex of performing art forms to more and more people who never considered attending opera before. We are here to celebrate, rejuvenate and expand the very meaning of what opera is for all New Yorkers to discover,” she said.
The Bronx edition of this initiative will highlight the borough’s diverse neighborhoods and performers and bring attention to small opera companies.
Program information and more event details will be available in the coming weeks on NYoperaalliance.org.
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