A Bit of This & That: Janara Kellerman

Mezzo Soprano Janara Kellerman presents a journey across centuries of vocal music, beginning with opera arias in a variety of languages and styles, followed by art songs that explore diverse poetic and musical traditions. The program will conclude with select sacred music, to offer a contemplative and uplifting end to the evening.

Cash donations will be accepted at the door to support the ALS ASSOCIATION

*Doors open at 6:30 pm

*The Sanctuary is handicapped accessible.

*Hearing assist devices are available upon request.

“Sultry,” “elegant,” and “compelling” Lebanese-American mezzo-soprano Janara Kellerman has made a name for herself among opera lovers and critics alike. Hailed by Opera News for her “keen dramatic instincts” and “voluptuous tone,” Ms. Kellerman is delighting audiences worldwide in a broad range of repertoire.
Recent highlights include the roles of Baba (THE MEDIUM) with Fort Worth Opera and Elle (LA VOIX HUMAINE) with Cedar Rapids Opera. Role debuts as Rosina (IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA), Dame Quickly (FALSTAFF) and Mrs. Herring (ALBERT HERRING) with Union Avenue Opera Theater, as well as the title role in Massenet’s HÉRODIADE with New Amsterdam Opera. She also reprised Suzuki (MADAMA BUTTEFLY) in her company debut with the Princeton Festival, debuted at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall as the Alto Soloist in BEETHOVEN NINTH SYMPHONY and VAUGHAN WILLIAMS SERENADE TO MUSIC., and joined the Lima Symphony as the Alto Soloist in MAHLER 2ND SYMPHONY, Mineola Choral Society as the Alto Soloist in MOZART CORONATION MASS, MENDELSSOHN ELIJAH and DVORAK STABAT MATER, Orchestra Iowa as the Alto Soloist in BEETHOVEN NINTH SYMPHONY, and the Taghkanic Chorale and Maestro Steven Fox as the Alto Soloist in ROSSINI PETIT MESSE SOLENNELLE.
Also with Cedar Rapids Opera, her hometown company, she appeared as Amneris (AÏDA), Mamma Lucia (CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA), and the title role in CARMEN. Carmen has become her signature role since her role debut Des Moines Metro Opera, to vast critical acclaim. She has since performed the role with Northern Lights Music Festival, Ballet Tucson, August Opera and Opera Columbus, and covered the role for New York City Opera. The Des Moines Register writes: “When Janara Kellerman struts on stage and launches into the famous Habanera’s slinky chromatic descent, it’s easy to forget everyone else. Her voice is simultaneously agile and strong…With her thick black hair, smoldering gaze and brazen swagger, Kellerman casts a spell more potent than any cloud of smoke. She deftly combines her character’s dramatic sense of abandon with the score’s demand for vocal control.”
Other favorite operatic engagements include SANTUZZA (CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA) with Musica Viva Hong Kong, AMNERIS (AÏDA) and FENENA (NABUCCO) with New Jersey State Opera, PREZIOSILLA (LA FORZA DEL DESTINO) with New Amsterdam Opera, LITTLE BUTTERCUP (HMS PINAFORE) with Opera Saratoga and Lyric Opera San Antonio, AZUCENA (IL TROVATORE) with the Westfield Symphony, MidAtlantic Opera in the title role in DIDO AND AENEAS, Fresno Grand Opera as the OLD LADY (CANDIDE) and New York City Opera covering IRAS (ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA) and MALCOLM (LA DONNA DEL LAGO).
A sought-after concert artist, Ms. Kellerman made her Carnegie Hall debut as the Mezzo Soloist in the New York première of PAULUS TO BE CERTAIN OF THE DAWN. With the Topeka Symphony she was the Alto Soloist in the world première of Robert Aldridge’s grand oratorio PARABLES, and later reprised it with Montclair State University, where she also stepped in last minute to sing SHARON FALCONER (ELMER GANTRY). She was the Alto Soloist for the New Jersey Symphony’s VERDI REQUIEM under the baton of Maestro Jacques LaCombe with soloists Marianne Fiset, Russell Thomas and Peter Volpe, which was released as a commercial recording in 2015. Other New York City area concert performances include the Alto Soloist in DURUFLÉ REQUIEM, BACH B MINOR MASS, and BACH MAGNIFICAT.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Rutgers Presbyterian Church & Tuesdays@Rutgers