West Milford resident performing opera at William Paterson workshops

University staging opera workshops, April 22, 23 Wayne - Scenes from operas by Bizet, Puccini, Mozart, Verdi, and Donizetti will be performed by members of William Paterson University’s Opera Workshop on Wednesday, April 22, and Thursday, April 23. Stephanie Irven of West Milford will be one of the vocalists. The performances, which will be staged, costumed, and performed in the original languages, will take place in Room 101 of Shea Center for Performing Arts on campus in Wayne. Tickets are $6 standard and $5 for the William Paterson community, senior citizens, and students. Under the direction of Stephen Bryant, professor of music and director of choral activities at William Paterson, vocalists will present portions of “Carmen” by Bizet, “Tosca,” by Puccini, “Cosi Fan Tutte,” by Mozart, “Falstaff” by Verdi and “The Elixir of Love” by Donizetti. In addition to Irven, vocalists include Ashley Benson of Ringwood, Christina Boston of Monroe Township, Theron Cromer of Leonia, Elizabeth Kane of Bloomfield, Jaclyn Klein of Fair Lawn, Dawan Worsley of East Orange, and Steven Zimmerman of Ridgewood. Bryant’s distinguished career in concert and opera has taken him around the world, with acclaimed performances in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. A bass-baritone, he has received numerous oratorio and opera credits. He created the major role of Dante for the world premiere of Tan Dun’s “Marco Polo,” which he performed at the Munich Biennale, the Holland Festival in Amsterdam, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, New York City Opera, and with the Japan Philharmonic in Tokyo. Bryant has also recorded for New World Records, Sony Classical, and Teldec. Bryant received his bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and his master’s degree in voice and choral conducting from the University of Michigan. He resides in Upper Montclair. For additional information on the conce, call the Shea Center for Performing Arts box office at 973-720-2371.