Hampton Roads, Richmond, Fairfax, VA (October 23, 2024) – Virginia Opera is thrilled to announce its second opera of the 2024-2025 50th Anniversary Season, Carmen, returning to the stage after a ten-year absence. This production will open at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk on November 8, 2024, with subsequent performances in Richmond and Fairfax.
Set against a vibrant new design by acclaimed scenic designer Steven Kemp, this traditional staging of Carmen will be conducted by Virginia Opera’s Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, Adam Turner, and directed by Kyle Lang, who is also helming this season’s first production, Don Giovanni.
“This production of Carmen is particularly special as it marks the return of a beloved opera that has captivated audiences for generations,” said Adam Turner. “After a gap of ten years, we are excited to bring this passionate story back to the Virginia Opera stage, featuring a host of emerging talent, and offering our audiences an unforgettable experience.”
The cast features a host of Virginia Opera mainstage debuts, led by mezzo soprano Lisa Marie Rogali in the title role of Carmen. Also appearing in a notable role debut, Ms. Rogali receives praise for her “warm, nuanced voice” and “spontaneity” on the stage, with Opera News describing her debut performance with Minnesota Opera as “…a tour de force of diction, precision and pizzazz.” Starring in the role of Don José, tenor Zach Borichevsky is considered one of the most sought-after singers of his generation. Mr. Borichevsky is known as a “star-level tenor” with “precise, nuanced high-register singing and agile acting,” paired with a “magical sense of complete spontaneity that comes from being in total command of the instrument.” Filipino-American baritone Rolfe Dauz, debuting in the role of Escamillo, is quickly becoming recognized for his beautiful voice, sensitive artistry, and compelling stage presence and has garnered international acclaim for his “focused baritone, perfect diction, and dramatic acting” and “warm, flexible singing made for rewarding listening.” Soprano Alicia Russell Tagert, who made her mainstage debut as Woodbird in last season’s Siegfried, will portray Micaëla. A resident of Richmond, VA, Ms. Tagert has received praise for a “voice and singing [that] was rapturous, a perfect fit, and a total delight.”
The rising talent in this production includes current Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists soprano Chase Sanders as Frasquita, mezzo-soprano Aria Minasian making her mainstage debut as Mercédès, tenor Daniel Lugo as Remendado, and baritone Patrick Wilhelm as Dancaire. Former Emerging Artist bass-baritone Jeremy Harr will take on the role of Zuniga, while Suffolk-native baritone Brandon Bell makes his mainstage debut as Moralès. The orchestra will feature the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, enhancing the operatic experience with its rich, powerful sound.
Kyle Lang commented on the production’s unique staging approach, “Transitioning from a contemporary interpretation of Don Giovanni to a more traditional Carmen allows us to explore the essence of both operas in distinct ways. Each production brings its own set of challenges and artistic opportunities that I’m excited to delve into with our talented cast.”
Performances of Carmen will take place in three locations:
- Norfolk: November 8 and 10, 2024, at the Harrison Opera House
- Richmond: November 22 and 24, 2024, at the Dominion Energy Center
- Fairfax: November 16 and 17, 2024, at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University
Peggy Kriha Miller, General Director and CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for the production, stating, “Carmen is often a gateway opera for many first-time attendees. We are excited to share this compelling story and its unforgettable music with our community, inviting new audiences to experience the magic of opera.”
Tickets for Carmen and Virginia Opera’s 50th Anniversary Season are now available for purchase. For more information, visit www.vaopera.org or contact the Virginia Opera Box Office at 866-673-7282.
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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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