NORFOLK, VA | July 21, 2015- Virginia Opera, The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, congratulates baritone Edward Parks, soon to be seen on Virginia Opera stages as Marcello in La Bohème, for placing in the Operalia International Opera Competition at the Royal Opera House in London!
Baritone Edward Parks, set to portray the role of Marcello in the 2015-2016 production of La Bohème (to be conducted by Adam Turner) placed third from a field of nearly 1,000 applicants, and secured a $10,000 prize, this past weekend in Operalia, the International Opera Competition held July 19 at the Royal Opera House in London. Operalia, founded in 1993 and hosted by Placido Domingo, aims at revealing the most promising talent in the operatic world. In review of the cast lists of the leading opera houses around the world today there is at least one Operalia laureate performing every season. Of his portrayal of the role of Marcello, Opera News said of Parks, “The most compelling performance of the night was the Marcello of Edward Parks, whose warm, velvety baritone filled the house.” Placing in Operalia’s top roster of young, upcoming artists is a significant achievement for Parks. Virginia Opera features this rising star throughout Virginia this November.
President and CEO Russell Allen states “Virginia Opera has for over forty years sought and showcased new talent on stages throughout the Commonwealth. Many will remember multiple Virginia Opera productions featuring the now world-famous Diana Soviero and Renee Fleming when they had just begun their careers. This focus on emerging talent continues as a part of Virginia Opera’s mission.”
La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini is performed by Virginia Opera at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk on November 6, 8, and 10, at GMU’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax on November 14 and 15, and at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage on November 20 and 22. Subscription tickets and information available at vaopera.org.
About Virginia Opera: Virginia Opera Association, Inc., currently in its 41st year of operation, is known and 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. Mainstage performances in three markets across the Commonwealth reach nearly 50,000 attendees annually. In March of 1994, by unanimous vote of the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Opera was named The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia in recognition of the organization’s contribution to the state as well as to the world of opera. For tickets and information visit vaopera.org or call 866.673.7282. For more information on any Virginia Opera event, please call Maggi George at 757.627.9545, ext. 3316, or e-mail maggi.george@vaopera.org