Riverside Opera Company: History

Since 1996 the ROC (the only 501-c3 Staten Island based professional opera company) and has been consistently serving the greater SI community by performing high quality staged, costumed productions with full orchestra and English narration at low or no admission cost.

Because of this ROC attracts a large and diverse audience particularly people of lesser financial means, or who may be on fixed incomes and who simply cannot afford the - ticket price of other comparable sized productions on Staten Island.

ROC always performs in venues that are handicap accessible and to date has performed for more than 20,000 people.

ROC brings opera to students and directly involves students in the productions by having them sing and work along side seasoned professional singers, directors and dancers during ROC rehearsals and performances. Many of these professionals have sung at the Metropolitan Opera, City Opera and European companies. Our students learn much from these experiences

This past year ROC singing institute began providing young opera singers a chance to study with the worlds finest coaches, conductors, managers and directors at low tuition. In addition ROC produced Pagliacci, La Boheme (North Shore) and a children's production at Camp St. Edward in Tottenville.

Currently ROC has an Artistic Director / Librarian/ Administrator, a Stage Director/ Orchestra Contractor/ Prompter, and a Director of Development as part-time staff.
Volunteers include Board Members and Students.

ROC combines all of the Arts in every production. Literary Art in the Libretto (story narrated in English) Dramatic Art (Opera is acted out) Musical Art (Opera is sung and accompanied by orchestral musicians) Visual Art (Costumes, stage props) and Dance.

ROC shares office space with the Richmond County Orchestra and collaborates with Susan Wagner H.S. Madrigal Chorus and PS 16.Art classes.