Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey 

The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey returns to the Bickford Theatre for the next installment of the Music Box Series. Inspired by the Morris Museum’s Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments & Automata, BONJ’s Maestro Robert Butts has selected three music boxes from the collection with which to celebrate the work of composer Guiseppi Verdi, Ludwig van Beethoven, and others.

Featuring special guests Theresa Carlomagno, Gary Pate, Daniel Colalillo, Diane Fox, Jason Adamo, Timothy Marueen Cole, and Dmitri Zigrino.

Program

• Ballet Music from Aida
• Stride la vampa (Il Trovatore) – Diane Fox, mezzo
• Dormirò sol (Don Carlo) – Jason Adamo, bass
• Parmi veder le lagrime (Rigoletto) – Gary Pate, tenor
• Caro nome (Rigoletto) – Timothy Maureen Cole, soprano
• La donna e mobile (Rigoletto) – Dmitri Zigrino, tenor
• Salce/Ave Maria (Otello) – Theresa Carlomagno, soprano
• Bella figlia dell’amore (Rigoletto) – Timothy Maureen Cole, Diane Fox, Dmitri Zigrino, Jason Adamo
• Brindisi (La Traviata) – Theresa Carlomagno, Gary Pate

INTERMISSION

• Piano Concerto #4- Ludwig van Beethoven – Daniel Colalillo, piano allegro moderato – andante con moto – rondo (vivace)

Performers

Soprano Theresa Carlomagno’s impressive repertoire includes standout roles such as Adele in Die Fledermaus and Adina in Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore. In July 2025, she sang Mimi in La Boheme in Sicily. She recently made her European debut at the Herodion Atticus in Athens, Greece, performing alongside Mario Frangoulis as Adalgisa in i. Following this, she graced the stage at the Warner Theatre with Frangoulis, further showcasing her exceptional talent. Theresa gets to the heart of each character she embodies, infusing her performances with emotional depth and musical finesse. She has also performed at Merkin Hall for the Met Young Artist Intensive Program and, in her youth, won two Governor’s Awards for her outstanding vocal abilities. Additionally, she won the International Grande Music Competition in New York, further solidifying her place as a rising star in the world of classical music. Dedicated to bringing beautiful music to audiences, Theresa passionately reignites interest in this cherished art form both locally and internationally.

Soprano Timothy Marueen Cole has performed major roles in opera and musical theater, most recently with Eastern Opera in Bound Brook and with The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey. She has sung in recitals and as soloist with orchestras on many occasions as well as singing solo arias in a special concert at The National Opera Center in New York honoring Roman composer Marco Frisina. Equally comfortable in contemporary, early, and standard operas, she has brought roles to life in Die Fledermaus (Rosalinda), L’Elisir d’amore (Adina), Bastien und Bastienne (Bastienne), Hansel and Gretel (Gretel), and the lead role in The Tell-Tale Heart, composed by Maestro Robert W. Butts. She has premiered major new works in concerts by The New Contemporary. She teaches and directs musical theater works at the Wharton Arts.

Tenor Gary Pate, originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, got his start in music more than 50 years ago performing in dinner theaters around the country. While working for Burt Reynolds in his theater in Jupiter, Florida, Gary met comedian and stage Director, Charles Nelson Riley, who encouraged Gary to move to New York City and study. Gary has since performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center as well as leading venues in San Francisco, Nashville, and Cincinnati. For over 20 years, with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. In addition, he has performed in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Japan and Italy. Gary has worked with BONJ on many projects over the past 20 years. Gary is semi retired and lives in Mount Arlington on Lake Hopatcong.

Tenor Dmitri Zigrinohas performed roles with Opera Theatre of Montclair, Eastern Opera, and The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey. His recently acclaimed interpretations include Don Jose (Carmen), Alfredo (Die Fledermaus), Acis (Acis and Galatea), Tonio (I pagliacci), Rodolfo (La boheme), and The Neighbor (Tell-Tale Heart).

Bass Jason Adamo has sung with opera companies throughout the New York/New Jersey area as well as in recitals and oratorio performances. Recent roles have included Falke (Die Fledermaus), Dulcamara (L’Elisir d’amore), Marcello (La boheme), Silvio (I pagliacci), the Detective (Tell-Tale Heart), The Father (Coffee Cantata), and Colas (Bastien und Bastienne).

Pianist Daniel Colalillo (MM Mannes, BM Purchase Conservatory of Music), a New York-based classical pianist, is renowned for his powerful performances and unique interpretations. Praised by The New York Times, he has performed as a concerto soloist with orchestras and given recitals at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, and Princeton University; and in cities such as Philadelphia, San Francisco, Nashville, Toronto and Montreal. As Founder and Artistic Director of Classical Keys Daniel oversees a concert series in NJ and NYC, now in its fifth season. Named “Top Piano Teacher” by Steinway & Sons, Daniel he has taught masterclasses at universities and operates a private studio in Manhattan.

Mezzo soprano, Diane Fox has won critics with her compelling performances in the dramatic mezzo soprano repertoire. Peter Spencer of the Newark Star Ledger writes, “gave a galvanic reading of Adieu, forets, from Tchaikovsky”s Maid of Orleans …ready to take on the most dramatic roles in the repertoire”. Art Ritchie of the Community Contributor writes of the opera, Suor Angelica, “Singing that rarely featured contralto role is Diane Fox who, as the Princess, magnificently duets with soprano Karole Lewis, … Their exquisite voices make me wish there were more fine roles for voices that great! Post Covid shutdown, Spring 2022 Ms. Fox sang the mezzo soprano role in the Beethoven 9th with the Canton Symphony. Tom Wachunas of clevelandclassical.com writes: joining the exultant proceedings were the other members of the superb vocal quartet:Their singing, crystalline and radiant was enough to make angels jealous. International performances include appearances at the Bolshoi Opera opposite the late Jerome Hines and with the Korea W Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Fox has toured the United States with the New York City Opera National Company, along with singing opera, oratorio and musical theatre regionally. Internationally telecast and webcast live, Diane was greatly honored to sing in recital on the first and fifth anniversaries of 9/11 for Trinity Church in Manhattan. Ms. Fox is also a private voice instructor. Her students have gone on to sing with Lyric Opera of Chicago, toured with Andre De Shields and been featured singing on Netflix cartoons along with acting in Primetime TV shows.

Ticket & Visitor Information

For assistance and to make purchases by phone, call the box office at 973-971-3706. The ticket price includes a non-refundable $3.00 service fee. Programs are subject to change.