WESTFIELD — Internationally acclaimed soprano Marcelina Roman will join David Wroe and New Jersey Festival Orchestra (NJFO) for an eveningofintoxicatingmusicfromturnof- the-century Vienna on Saturday, February 22, at 7 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield. NJFO will transport audiences to a world of elegance, joy, and poignant reflection with a lively program of music by iconic Viennese composers, including Johann Strauss and Gustav Mahler.
The evening opens with sweeping Strauss waltzes and dances, and operetta selectionsbyFranzLehar,renowned soprano Marcelina Roman adding her exquisite voice to the celebration.
“I am honored to collaborate with Marcelina Roman. Her enchanting vocal range, gleaming high notes, dazzling technique and exciting stage presence are sure to thrill us all,” exclaimed NJFO Music Director Wroe.
Marcelina Roman has performed in opera houses and music halls all over the world. A graduate of the Karol Lipinski Academy of Music in Wroclaw, she made her professional stage and role debut as Violetta in “La Traviata” by G. Verdi with conductor Andriy Yurkevych, winning her the Jan Kiepura Prize for “Female Debut of the Year”. Ms. Roman is a laureate and winner of more than 20 prizes in international competitions, including the Eva Marton Voice Competition, Hungary; IVC’s-Hertogenbosch; The Netherlands; Jazeps Vitols Vocal Competition in Latvia; Adam Didur Singing Competition in Polonia. After her spectacular success singing the title role in J.B.Lully’s “Armide,” she was named “Operatic Revelation of the Year”. Ms. Roman has also released a solo album “Polish Soul” in collaboration with pianist Gilbert den Broeder.
Ms. Roman will also feature in the second half of the program as NJFO presents Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, a work that explores both the lightness of innocence and the emotional depth of human experience.
“Ms.Romanwillhelpuscelebratetwo sides of Vienna,” continued Wroe “Our concert is a journey through the city’s most jubilant moments juxtaposed with more somber reflections, offering an unforgettable blend of frivolity and introspection. Ms. Roman will enable us to showcase the vibrant contrasts that make Vienna’s musical legacy so powerful.”
Can’t make Saturday evening February 22? Prefer an afternoon concert? The performance will be repeated on Sunday, February 23rd at 2:30 p.m. at the Sieminsky Theater, Fellowship Cultural Arts Center, Basking Ridge. Both concerts are presented through the generous support of The NJ State Council on the Arts.
Tickets ($45 – $85) with a special discount price of only $25 for kids (under18) are available online at www.njfestivalorchestra.org or by calling (908) 232-9400.
