In this month when thoughts turn to romance, enjoy a romantic cabaret. Two outstanding vocalists, soprano Aurelie Veruni and mezzo soprano Deborah Martínez Rosengaus, sing their hearts out in this unique mix of popular, musical theater and operatic selections that will have you laughing, crying and singing along as they explore "love" in all its forms.
Artists:
Aurelie Veruni, soprano
Deborah Martinez Rosengaus, mezzo soprano
Jonathan Erman, pianist
French soprano
Aurelie Veruni has been hailed for her "pristine sound" by
Opera News and her "considerable top power note." She has performed across the US and in such prestigious international venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Beijing Center for the Performing Arts, and Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory among other venues.
Ms. Veruni has most recently joined Opera San Jose covering the role of First Lady in Mozart's
Magic Flute, Ars Minerva to sing the role of Alinda in their production of Freschi's
Olimpia Vendicata and West Edge Opera to sing the role of Eritea in their production of Cavalli's
Eliogabalo. In recent seasons, Ms. Veruni has performed with Ars Minerva in the title roles of Ifigenia in
Aulide and
Messalina.
In the 2019/20 season, Ms. Veruni joined the Mendocino Music Festival with a role debut as Adina in L'elisir D'Amore. She also joined the prestigious Ensemble of Sarasota Opera singing the role of Peppa in Eugene D'Albert's
Tiefland, as well as covering the title role of Bellini's
Norma. In previous seasons, Ms.Veruni covered Hamlet's Ophelia with West Edge Opera. She also sang Marie in Donizetti's
La Fille du Régiment with the San Francisco Opera Guild. She covered the title role of
Manon with Des Moines Metro Opera, sang excerpts as Cleopatra from Handel's
Giulio Cesare, and from the title role in
Lucia di Lammermoor. She also joined the roster of Ars Minerva singing the role of Scilla in the world premiere of
La Circe by Andrea Ziani.
Ms.Veruni made her international debut with iSing! International Festival in China where she was featured in a gala concert broadcast on CCTV and Hunan TV, then went on to perform her debut as Nanetta with Cinnabar Theater in Verdi's
Falstaff.
A recipient of numerous awards, Ms. Veruni was twice the winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Kansas City District and Washington District; has been awarded top prize from the Cooper Bing International Vocal Competition; second prize at the East Bay Opera League Competition; the Thelma Dry Award—Henri and Maria Holt Memorial Scholarship Competition; and the prestigious Palm Springs Opera Guild Competition.
Ms. Veruni holds a B.F.A in music performance from Gnessin College in Moscow, Russia where she received the Tchaikovsky Award for Excellence in Music Performance. She holds a master's degree in music and a Certificate of Professional Studies in Opera Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is fluent in French, English, Russian, Spanish and Italian.
Deborah Martínez Rosengaus is a versatile mezzo soprano, having studied opera, theater, music and dance. She is known for her exciting, high-energy performances and for creating memorable and endearing characters. With a uniquely flexible voice, as comfortable in Verdi as it is in Rossini, she has delighted audiences around the world with her rich timbre and sparkling coloratura.
Ms. Rosengaus has toured internationally, with a variety of musical ensembles in concert halls such as: Santori Hall in Tokyo, The Center for Performing Arts in Beijing with the People's Liberation Army Orchestra, Disney Hall with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. She has given recitals in Mexico City and across the United States, giving voice to her research into the lesser-known art songs of great classical composers.
This April she covered the role of Paula in the Bay Area premiere of the opera in Spanish,
Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catan for Opera San Jose, with additional concert performances around the Bay Area. Ms. Rosengaus received critical acclaim for her interpretation of leading lady Jo in Mark Adamo's
Little Women. With Ars Minerva, she has re-premiered four operas that haven't been seen since their performances back in the Baroque Era. In 2018 she was nominated for a Theater Bay Area Award for the role of Ruth in
Pirates of Penzance.
Other favorite opera credits include
Cendrillon, Die Fledermaus, Hansel and Gretel, Candide, The Consul, Griffelkin by the late great Lucas Foss and West Coast premiere of the new opera
Miss Lonelyhearts. With full orchestras she has performed Handel's
Messiah and
Brockes Passion, Durufle's
Requiem and a variety of Handel operas with Pocket Opera of San Francisco. In the summer of 2008, she created the role of Principessa Louling under the baton of Bruno Riggacci in the world premiere of his one-act opera
Dodici personaggi in cerca di voce.
Ms. Rosengaus is the recipient of several awards including the Schoenfeld Award from the Holt Memorial Scholarship Competition and first place in the Pacific Musical Society Competition made famous by its first winner, violinist Yehudi Menuhin. She holds a master's degree in music from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with international opera diva Mignon Dunn. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. Ms. Rosengaus performed in Masterclasses with Karen Morrow and Luana Devol and is also a featured vocalist on several independent film soundtracks.
Jonathan Erman is a composer, conductor and pianist. He regularly accompanies theater groups throughout the Bay Area, including TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, West Bay Opera and Foothill Music Theatre. His work encompasses all types of theater, as well as choral and orchestral music. Mr. Erman has taken part in conducting workshops throughout the United States. His piece "Take Flight Anyway" was performed by flutist Sara Andon as part of the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive's 2020 New Music Project.
Senior Programs are made possible in part by generous contributions from the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, the John R. Schwabacher Family, as well as many other individual donors. We are grateful for their generous support.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
1:00–2:00 PM | Doors open at 12:30 PM
The Nourish Cafe by Tony Caters on campus is open for lunch before the concert. Linger after the concert for free snacks and beverages in the lobby.
Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall (Bldg. F)
$15 purchased online until February 17 | $25 after February 17 and at the door
Contact: Michelle Rosengaus |
[email protected]
