Opera New Jersey and NJ Symphony to collaborate
Opera New Jersey and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra joined forces to collaborate on three productions this July in Princeton and to co-produce a production of “Carmen” at three venues across the state next February.
The collaboration represents a cost-cutting trend in the nonprofit arts industry. “Collaboration is essential to the viability and fiscal health for smart arts organizations,” said André Gremillet, President & CEO of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. “The NJSO is thrilled to partner with ensembles of the caliber and excellence of Opera New Jersey and is pleased to have an increased artistic presence in the Princeton area and throughout the state by virtue of this collaboration.”
While many arts organizations are contracting or struggling to maintain artistic quality, officials of the Opera New Jersey and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra said that their partnership will enable both organizations to reach new audiences and demonstrate a heightened cultural relevance throughout New Jersey.
The two organizations share a common mission but are different in size and history. The7-year-old Opera New Jersey, based in Princeton, runs on an annual budget of about $1.7 million. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is in its 86th season, with an annual budget of $14 million.
Under this new partnership, Opera New Jersey will hire the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for this summer’s three productions: Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado” and Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio.”The operas run in repertory at McCarter Theatre Center July 10-26.
Next winter, both organizations and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark will co-produce Bizet’s “Carmen” featuring superstar mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves in Newark, New Brunswick, and Princeton.
”Adding an established orchestral sound enhances the grand nature of opera and will create an even better experience for our audience,” said Scott Altman, General and Artistic Director of Opera New Jersey. “And ultimately, a better experience for the audience means a better result for our institutions, donors, grantors, and everyone that helps to bring world-class opera to New Jersey.”
Talks began about 10 months ago on these projects, officials said. “The Abduction from the Seraglio” will be performed at McCarter’s Berlind Theatre, an intimate space that accommodates a chamber-sized orchestra. “The Mikado” and “Lucia di Lamermoor” will be presented in the 1,100-seat Matthews Theatre, a first for Opera New Jersey during the summer, with a full orchestra.
Opera New Jersey recently received its third straight Citation of Excellence from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA). The citation is NJSCA’s highest honor and recognizes arts organizations that “exhibit the highest standards of excellence in artistry, operations, governance, public benefit and fulfillment of areas of council priority.”
Opera New Jersey has also been honored with a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America grant, in recognition of its outstanding educational programming.
For more information on the Web, go to www.opera-NJ.org.

