By Teresa Annas
The Virginian-Pilot
©April 29, 2014
NORFOLK
Virginia Opera has promoted two of its artistic staff members to lead positions, effective immediately.
Adam Turner, formerly resident conductor, has been bumped up to principal conductor and artistic adviser. He signed a two-year agreement to help select the operas and performers for each season and to conduct at least two productions each year.
Also, David Smith, previously the technical director, is now both production and technical director. He is in charge of stage operations, including sets, costumes, props and lighting.
“I’m very excited about the team going forward,” said Russell Allen, president and CEO of the statewide opera company.
Turner first conducted for Virginia Opera in 2012 in Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic operetta “The Mikado.” He has prepared choruses or assisted in over 20 productions for the company.
His national credits include assistant conductor last summer for Seattle Opera’s production of Richard Wagner’s “Ring” cycle and assistant conductor for Florida Grand Opera in Miami.
He also has been resident conductor for Ash Lawn Opera Festival in Charlottesville.
Next season he will conduct Stephen Sondheim’s musical thriller “Sweeney Todd,” which opens the company’s 40th season in September, as well as Gilbert & Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” in November. Guest conductors will lead the other productions.
He replaces Robin Thompson, artistic adviser from 2010 to 2013, who left when his agreement ran out, Allen said. The contract for Thompson, a former artistic administrator for New York City Opera, was not renewed for financial reasons, Allen said.
After Thompson’s departure, Allen and remaining artistic staff members made artistic decisions.
Smith has been production director with New Jersey State Opera and for the national tours of Broadway musicals “Avenue Q” and “Sweeney Todd.”
He was assistant technical director for Virginia Opera from 2001 to 2005, and returned to Norfolk in 2012 as technical director.
Smith takes over from Nancy Kritikos, the previous production director who left in mid-April, Allen said.