Cesare Siepi, Ezio Pinza, Bonaldo Giaiotti, Justino Diaz, Samuel Ramey, George London, Titto Gobbi, Paul Plishka, Boris Christoff, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Robert Loyd, Sesto Bruscantini, Salvatore Baccaloni, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Kurt Moll, Aprile Millo, Maria Esther Robles, Susan Young, Mark Oswald, Leyna Gabriele.
"Two standouts within the production came from the supporting cast: Jorge Ocasio as Sarastro, High Priest of the Temple has easily one of the most powerful presences on that stage and his deep rich bass-baritone voice only secured that image. The Temple Priests had a very difficult job – here is where too many notes come in. There are long orchestral sections upon their entrances and filling the stage was the first order. Ocasio was able to do this with ease. Each stride or turn was energizing."
Erica Vasaturo and Fran Bacine- Outer Stage- May 26th, 2009L'Elisir d'Amore/ Puerto Rico
"La hilaridad del personaje de Dulcamara, magníficamente bien interpretado por Jorge Ocasio."
"The hilarity of the role of Dulcamara was magnificently portrayed by Jorge Ocasio."
Luis Hernández Mergal - El Nuevo Día - April 5, 2008
"Jorge Ocasio demostró seguridad en 'Udite, udite, o rustici.'"
"Jorge Ocasio demonstrated security in his 'Udite, udite, o rustici.'"
Víctor R. Castro - El Vocero - April 7, 2008
IL TRITTICO/ PUERTO RICO
Jorge Ocasio as Talpa is up to the task of the henpecked husband of la Frugola.
He reappears in excellent characterization as Simone in Gianni Schicchi adding to the excellent ensemble work of that operatic farce."
Peggy Ann Bliss- The San Juan Star- October 27, 2007
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA/ PUERTO RICO
Memorable “El Barbero” en Ballajá
Memorable "Barber" in Ballaja
El realizado bajo bufo Jorge Ocasio, llenó los zapatos del viejo verde y ladino “Dr. Bartolo” con gusto y desenfado. Aunque se sintió algo tibio en las primeras escenas, pronto demostró el dominio de sus capacidades de cantante y actor, y la agilidad de su instrumento.
The excel basso buffo Jorge Ocasio filled the shoes of the old grumpy and cagey "Dr. Bartolo" with taste and ease. Even though he was a little cold during his first scenes, he soon displayed the mastery of his capabilities as a singer and actor and the agility of his instrument.
Ileana Cidoncha-El Vocero-August 13th 2007
Jorge Ocasio hizo un Doctor Bartolo en la mejor tradición bufa, cantando con endemoniada rapidez.
Jorge Ocasio performed a Dottor Bartolo with an excellent buffo tradition, singing with incredible speed.
No es cuestión de chauvinismo, pero realmente da orgullo pensar que se haya podido presentar una función de tan alto nivel de una ópera tan compleja contando con un elenco totalmente puertorriqueño, cada uno digno de presentarse en las mejores salas del mundo.
It is not chauvinistic, but it is really formidable the fact that it was possible to put such a high level performance of such a difficult piece with an all puertorrican cast, each and every one worthy of performing on the best stages in the world.
Antonio Salgado especial para en Rojo-Claridad-August 23, 2007
OPERA MAGAZINE UK
"Jorge Ocasio revelled in Dulcamara's bubbly patter..."
William Albright on Opera in the Heights Elisir d'Amore-June 2007
AS LEPORELLO IN MOZART'S DON GIOVANNI
Houston, Texas/ March '07
"Andrew Nolen as Don Giovanni and Jorge Ocasio as his servant Leporelloespecially distinguished themselves, but the whole cast performed well.
Chester Rosson-Texas Monthly-July 2007
Don Giovanni - The best production to date from Opera in the Heights!
"Jorge Ocasio (toadying servant Leporello) has rich vaudevillian comic timing with voice to match -"
Lee Williams and D. L. Groover - Houston Press - March 29, 2007
"Jorge Ocasio brings a solid voice, down-to-earth air and sardonic touch to his asides as Giovanni's long-suffering servant Leporello."
Everett Evans - Houston Chronicle - March 24, 2007
AS IL COMMNENDATORE IN DON GIOVANNI
El Museo del Barrio, New York City:
"most effective alongside Jorge Ocasio's imposing and well sung Commendatore."
Vivien Schweitzer - New York Times - July 24, 2006
AS DULCAMARA AT REGINA OPERA
(New York City - April '06)
"The role of Dr. Dulcamarawas vividly brought to life by Jorge Ocasio who, like the great singing actor Tito Gobbi, could instantly grip the audience's attention. Ocasio, with his lustrous dark basso and perfect operatic stagecraft charmed us all with his 'Udite, udite, o rustici' in which he gets the attention of the country folk to sell his magical elixir, with cures for everything from warts to infertility. The sight of Dulcamara with his open black cloak with row upon row of bottles of all sorts was a sight to behold! His shenanigans with the gullible townspeople, including some amusing interplay with chorus members, was most amusing. Ocasio's Act 2 duet with Adina was great fun! Ocasio recalled the memory of the great Baccaloni, who was an unforgettable Dulcamarra. (Of course Ocasio is much slimmer.)"
Nino Pantano - The Italian Review - April 2006
"Jorge Ocasio, who sang Dulcamara in all four performances of this challenging role, proved himself a master of rythm as well as precise diction. His Dulcamara was hilarious in his effort to dupe the villagers into buying the phony elixir."
Jorge Ocasio signs La Calunnia 9/17/06 New Rochelle, NY
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Jorge Ocasio and Rosa Betancourt sing duet from L'elisir d'Amore 4/3/08 San Juan, Puerto Rico
With his "deep, warm bass voice and an informed musicality" Jorge Ocasio, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico; is quickly becoming a favorite of audiences and critics. Most recently, he received glowing reviews for his Dulcamara with Opera Brooklyn and The Regina Opera Company, and for his Commendatore in New York.
One critic wrote of his informed characterization as Dulcamara: "Ocasio steals the show in 'Elixir.' The role of Dr. Dulcamara was vividly brought to life by Jorge Ocasio who, like the great singing actor Tito Gobbi, could instantly grip the audience's attention. Ocasio, with his lustrous dark basso and perfect operatic stagecraft charmed us all with his 'Udite, udite, o rustici.' Ocasio's Act 2 duet with Adina was great fun! Ocasio recalled the memory of the great Baccaloni, who was an unforgettable Dulcamara. (Of course Ocasio is much slimmer.)"
Recently, he has been heard as Leporello with El Dorado Opera in Los Angeles. And made his company début with Houston's Opera in the Heights as Dulcamara in January 2007. He returned to Opera in the Heights where he reprised his appealing Leporello in March with glowing reviews. With Little Opera Company of NJ he performed his hilarious Dottor Bartolo in Barber of Seville, role he reprised for Opera al Fresco in San Juan, Puerto Rico in August receiving excellent reviews.
In San Juan he was also part of the Festival Iberoamericano de las Artes as Nuño in the opera Macias by Felipe Gutierrez y Espinosa. He returned to his home town to be part of the historic debut in Puerto Rico of Puccini'sIl Trittico where he performed the roles of Talpa in Tabarro and Simone in Gianni Schicchi with great acclaim.
Mr. Ocasio is a favorite with Manhattan's Chelsea Opera. were he has performed the role of Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors in various ocassions including performances in Los Angeles, California.
Other performance highlights include principal roles in Puerto Rico's acclaimed Puccini Gala and in New York's hugely popular Verdi Marathon, appearances with the X Festival of Music where he sang Bach's humorous "Coffee Cantata" in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and with the the Baroque Ensemble of New York; a dizzy Sacristan with Aprile Millo as Tosca at Connecticut Grand Opera, role he repreised on a television broadcasts of Tosca with Opera de Puerto Rico, and the title role in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro in Rome, Italy.
Mr. Ocasio débuted in New York City as Osmin in Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio and as Dr. Bartolo in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and was enthusiastically lauded for his appearances in Puerto Rico as guest soloist in APTEL's Annual Concert Tour singing selections from the rich traditions of Zarzuela and Latin-American Art Song throughout the island.
Jorge Ocasio has performed as concert soloist with the Camerata Choral of Puerto Rico in Haydn's Missa Santi-Nicolai and Michael Haydn's Requiem, with the Coro Sinfónico of Puerto Rico, Händel's beloved Messiah, as well as the Mozart Requiem and Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem throughout the New York area. While working with the International Vocal Arts Institute he portrayed Don Geronimo in Enzo Dara's production of Cimarosa's Il Matrimonio Segreto in Tel-Aviv, Israel conducted by Maestro Martin Issep.
Most recently he perfromed the role of Dulcamara with Opera for Humanity and with Teatro de la Opera in San Juan, Puerto Rico receiving great reviews and made his Carnegie Hall debut with Distinguished Concerts International singing Mozart's Coronation Mass and Haydn's Missa Sancti Nicolai. He returned to sing the role of Raimondo in Opera for Humanity's Lucia di Lammermmor at Symphony Space in NYC (Oct. 08). Future engagements include Beethoven 9th Symphony with Chartlotesville Consort in Mach 09, Sarastro in The Magic Flute with Bronx Opera (May 09) and Alidoro in La Cenerentola with Idaho Opera (Sept. 09)
Mr. Ocasio studies voice with Mrs. Leyna Gabriele in New York City and is represented exclusively worldwide by Mrs. Celia Novo, President and Founder of Novo Artists Inc.
I just noticed that you and Mim have kung fu night? Why was I never told? Iron Monkey? Jackie Chan? I am hurt...I just...had no idea this was going on...See ya later on the stage
Wepa Jorge como estas mano. ya estas en PR. DEJAME saber. Dile a Edna que me llame, no se si esta en casa de su mama. Ok. Espero verlos a ambos. Un abrazo
Saludos Jorge. Un placer conocerte no sabia que eras tan conocido en el ámbito de las artes. Edna me había contado algo de tí, pero no tan detallado. Yo por mi parte trabajo en Abbott Puerto Rico Operations como pintor y comienzo la maestría en geografia espacial en enero 2009 en Ohio. Cualquier cosa ya sabes que puedes comunicarte por aquí. Cuentame cuando vienes a P.R. pa' conversar en familia.
Un placer supremo, poder escucharte cantar con una VOZ tan bella, como masculina y expresiva. Me gustaría saber de tí, porque seguro llegarás muy lejos y espero ese día no te olvides de mí.
Gracias por agregarme, y gracias a Dios porque eres tan talentoso, eso es un verdadero milagro.
(En Inglés) Thank you so much for adding me to your friend list. For me, it's and Honor to be a part of your group of friends. I'm pleased to meet you; it is a real pleasure. Best Wishes for You. With love and respect, LEONIDAS MIKLOS
Hey Jorge: Muchas gracias por añadirme por aca. Me encantó tu perfil, tienes una voz hermosa. Mucho éxito siempre, sigue adelante y recibe muchas bendiciones. Un abrazo, Nathan
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