An Evening of Opera Delights

On the evening of February 25, 2007 The Joseph and Elda Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America sponsored for the first time at Montclair State University a musical and lecture program featuring Italian opera selections free to the public “ An Evening of Opera Delights’.

Arranged and produced by Institute Director Dr. Robert Freda, the evening performance was led by conductor maestro Fernando Raucci of Princeton New Jersey and featured performing artists from the company Opera New Jersey.

Students, faculty leaders, MSU administrators, representatives from area Italian American organizations, supporters of the Coccia Foundation and Vice Consul of Italy

Andrea Barbaria attended. This event is one of others that are held annually as recognition of the founding of The Institute by a generous endowment provided by the Coccia Foundation.

The program consisted of an enlightening lecture by Raucci on the dynamic life and times of the world famous composed Giuseppe Verdi interspersed with selections from his internationally acclaimed opera La Traviata.

Raucci focused on the theme “The emergence of Verdi’s mature style” with the following Selections performed by the artists

Violetta: Scena E strano…through Sempre libera sung by.Elizabeth Claxton

Alfredo: Scena Lunge da lei…diei miei bollenti sung by Cody Austin

Violetta/Germont: Madamigella Pura siccome .Elizabeth Claxton, William Andrew Stuckey

Alfredo: Alfredo al guingervi…Di provenza Cody Austin

Violetta: Teneste la promessa…addio del passato Elizabeth Claxton

Alfredo: Parigi o cara…through Allegro: Ah non piu a un tempio, Cody Austin

Maestro Fernando Raucci has conducted professionally in the USA and internationally during his career bringing to bear his European training and culture to all his musical endeavors. He is currently Music Director of Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra, a Professor of History of Italian Opera, Rutgers University’s Department of Italian and Conductor of the Rutgers Sinfonia orchestra, Rutgers University-Mason Gross School of Music.

Recently, he spent three successful years as Assistant of American Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln Center, NYC, with Mo. Leon Botstein. He was previously Music Director of Opera International, Princeton; Principal Guest Conductor, Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra; Permanent Conductor, Nicola Amati Chamber Orchestra; Artistic Director, Armonie Notturne, Isernia, Italy; and Assistant to Mo. Maurizio Barbacini, Opera Company of Philadelphia for Don Carlo. He has conducted orchestras in Poland, Russia, Hungary, Italy, Romania, and Bulgaria. In summer, 2005, Raucci was an invited participant at the renowned Spoleto Festival in Italy. More recently, he has assisted Maestro Daniele Gatti with several orchestras.

Raucci will be conducting the full opera La Traviata at McCarter Theater in Princeton with Opera New Jersey this summer July, 11, 2008.

The Star Ledger proclaimed Opera New Jersey’s production of Verdi’s Rigoletto heard earlier this year in Princeton, New Brunswick and Morristown to be both “passionate” and “charming.” On the heels of that enormous success, Opera New Jersey is continuing its mission of bringing high quality opera performances and exceptional educational offerings throughout the state through such programs as you are witnessing today. In response to last season’s sold out run, Opera New Jersey has added additional performances to meet the demand for first-rate opera right here in New Jersey.

Each of the artists Tenor, Cody Austin Soprano, Elizabeth Claxton Baritone, William Andrew Stuckey’s Pianist, Brian DeMaris, provided the audience with vibrant and inspired performances. Each have sung for national and international audiences and more about their respective careers can be learned by visiting

More information about Opera New Jersey and the performing artists for its current and future programs throughout New Jersey can be found by visiting the website. www.opera-nj.org