New Jersey State Opera Presents “Verdi’s Requiem – Live From Ocean Grove” on NJN
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 9 pm on NJN

Statewide – NJN and the New Jersey State Opera will present “Verdi’s Requiem – Live from Ocean Grove,” on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 9 pm.  Maestro Jason Tramm conducts the NJ State Opera Chorus and Orchestra with four internationally-renowned soloists in this magnificent and profound masterpiece, which was recorded in September for a live audience at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ.

“Verdi’s Requiem – Live from Ocean Grove” features a double chorus of 120 voices, a 65-piece orchestra, and a quartet of acclaimed soloists: Anna Schafajinskaia (soprano), Eugenie Grunewald (mezzo-soprano), Franco Tenelli (tenor) and Samuel DePalma (bass).  Byung-Kook Kwak is Concert Master.

Jonathan Quitt, from the New Jersey State Opera and the newly appointed Managing Director and Executive Producer of the broadcast, said the mammoth co-production was taped and edited by All Mobile Video - the same company that handles the production and transmission for the live broadcasts from the Met – with seven cameras that were strategically placed in the enormous 6000-seat auditorium.  “Viewers will experience this broadcast as if they were actually seated in the Great Auditorium, with remarkable close-ups, stunning pan shots, and exquisite sound quality.” 

“Verdi’s Requiem” was presented as part of NJ State Opera’s second annual “Destination Opera” weekend in Ocean Grove from September 11-13, 2009.  Tramm emphasized that “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.”  Click here to view a clip.

Conductor/Soloists Bios
NJ State Opera Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Jason C. Tramm is one of the most exciting young conductors on the podium today.  Dynamic, dedicated and determined, his exacting standards have launched the company to the forefront of artistic excellence, and it is no surprise that the company was rated #1 in the 2008 People’s Choice Awards from Discover Arts New Jersey and has been selected for the “2009 Best of Newark Award” by the US Commerce Association.   Tramm’s performances have been hailed by critics as "tender and luminous" and "powerful evocations of grandeur." 

Through his association with the New Jersey State Opera, Dr. Tramm apprenticed under his principal mentor, the late Alfredo Silipigni, who invited him 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."  He was subsequently appointed NJ State Opera’s Artistic Director in 2008.

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. 

Anna Schafajinskia, 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.

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