Syosset High School Sings Opera with Help from The Met

Members of Syosset High School’s chamber chorus and orchestra were joined on stage in partnership with the International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI) for a special one-time performance of “The Tragedy of Carmen,” the popular opera by Georges Bizet.

Through the school’s fine and performing arts department and its 16-year opera partnership with the IVAI, the students performed an abridged version of the opera on Feb. 6. The IVAI is a program that is run through the Metropolitan Opera House that discovers and develops talented would-be opera professionals at a young age.

“This is perhaps our most advanced and significant joint endeavor,” said Michael Salzman, Syosset’s fine and performing arts coordinator. “The product was a true partnership between our school, students, and the talented artists at IVAI.”

Current members of the IVAI program performed solos, while Syosset student musicians made up the chorus and orchestra.

The conductor was Paul Nadler, who is currently in New York conducting four performances of “The Merry Widow” at the Metropolitan Opera. Maestro Nadler delayed his return home to Florida in order to direct the production of “Carmen” at Syosset.

Set in Spain, “The Tragedy of Carmen” is about a gypsy woman who suffers a terrible fate from a jilted lover. The Syosset Chamber Orchestra was directed by Stephanie Merten. The Syosset Chamber Singers were directed by Kristin Howell. Both Howell and Merten are music teachers at Syosset High School.

Photos courtesy of the Syosset School District:

Members of the Metropolitan Opera’s IVAI program performed “The Tragedy of Carmen” with Syosset High School student musicians on Feb. 6.

The Syosset High School Orchestra and Chorus rehearsed the week before its Feb. 6 performance of “Carmen” with members of the Metropolitan Opera.

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