FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Virginia Opera Tees-Off Season at Topgolf

Bold Production of Wagner’s Epic Das Rheingold Repurposes Popular Family Entertainment Venue into Opera House

Virginia Beach, VA (September 15, 2021)— Gods, dwarves, giants, and golf were unlikely companions this past Sunday when the Virginia Opera opened its season in Virginia Beach, Virginia with an innovative production of Das Rheingold in a delightfully surprising venue, Topgolf.

Why Topgolf? “Why not Topgolf?,” said Peggy Kriha Dye, General Director and CEO of Virginia Opera. “Back in our early planning stages for this production, we knew it was important to ensure the safety of our audience and artists. Driving by Topgolf on the highway it struck us – the expansive field to perform and the amphitheater vibe of the facility gave us everything we wanted – and it was outdoors.” said Dye. “Our two performances in Virginia Beach Sunday were a hit. We are thrilled to be back doing what we do – and kudos to the team for making it an unforgettable night at the opera.”

Joshua Blue as Loge and Kyle Albertson as Wotan in Virginia Opera’s Das Rheingold at Topgolf Virginia Beach, Virginia

“Charting new territory can come with unexpected challenges. Topgolf presented a unique opportunity that our creative team and artists embraced and conquered,” said Adam Turner, Artistic Director of Virginia Opera. “The singers, the orchestra, and everyone involved made this performance an unbelievably rewarding return to live performance. We can’t wait to do it again when we arrive in Richmond next Sunday.”

Innovative production in an unexpected venue. This newly conceived production of the first installment of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle, Das Rheingold, included all the magic and power of Wagner’s epic vision. Conducted by Adam Turner and directed by Mary Birnbaum, this 110-minute adaptation was created by Johnathan Dove and Graham Vick and performed exclusively at Topgolf.  The imaginative haute couture golf wear costumes were designed by Sara Jean Tosetti. The orchestra for this production was provided by Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

Cast features Catherine Goode, Lauren Cook, and Whitney Robinson as Rhinemaidens, Aubrey Allicock as Alberich, Daryl Freedman as Fricka, Kyle Albertson as Wotan, Sarah Tucker as Freia, Hidenori Inoue as Fasolt, Ricardo L. Lugo as Fafner, Eric McConnell as Donner, Joshua Blue as Loge, and Whitney Robinson as Erda.

Audience enjoying Virginia Opera’s Das Rheingold and champagne at Topgolf Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Photographs and video of the production for editorial use can be found at: VAOpera.org/TopgolfMedia

FINAL PRODUCTION OF DAS RHEINGOLD at TOPGOLF is September 19^th, 2021 Richard Wagner—Sung in German with English Surtitles Topgolf Richmond September 19, 2021 at 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM

For more information and to obtain tickets, go to vaopera.org. Media may contact Pam Catindig at pam@mavertise.com  to arrange for onsite media coverage accommodations or comp tickets for journalists wishing to cover the show.

ABOUT VIRGINIA OPERA

Virginia Opera, the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of the finest regional opera companies in the nation and is the only company to perform regularly in three separate main stage venues: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Organized in 1974, Virginia Opera is respected nationwide for the identification and presentation of the finest young artists, for the musical and dramatic integrity of its productions, and for the ingenuity and variety of its education and outreach programs.

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