Edythe Harrison wore many hats.

A self-described “professional volunteer,” Harrison helped establish the Virginia Opera, fought for voting rights during civil rights era, was the first woman to be nominated for statewide office by the Virginia Democratic Party and supported the establishment of the women’s studies program at Old Dominion University.

Harrison, who died Sept. 1 at 91, is the reason the Virginia Opera exists, said John-Paul Schaefer, opera general director and CEO.

“Without Edie Harrison, there is no Virginia Opera,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer said Harrison’s vision allowed the opera and the Harrison Opera House to flourish. The space was formerly the Center Theater, which hosted everything from USO shows to wrestling matches.

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NORFOLK, Va. — Edythe Harrison, who once represented Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates and whose name adorns the city’s opera house, has died at the age of 91.

An obituary reveals Harrison died on Monday, September 1.

According to the obituary, Harrison and her husband, Stanley, moved to Norfolk from Detroit in 1956. In the 1960s, she gained notoriety as a champion of the civil rights movement.

Then, in 1974, she organized the creation of the Virginia Opera Association and became its first board chair. In the 1990s, Harrison raised millions of dollars to help convert Norfolk’s Center Theater into a home for the Virginia Opera. The Harrison Opera House — named for Edythe and Stanley — still serves as a principal venue for the opera and countless other performances.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Former Virginia Delegate and Virginia Opera founder Edythe Harrison has died.

Harrison was a community leader and patron of the arts in Hampton Roads.  Originally from Detroit, Harrison met her husband, Stanley L. Harrison in 1954 and moved to Norfolk in 1956, according to her obituary.

In 1979, Harrison won to represent Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates.  She served on several committees and championed for women’s rights.  She also ran for United State Senate in 1984, the first woman to seek statewide office in Virginia.

Harrison also founded the Women’s Studies Department at Old Dominion University and became its first Chair, according to her obituary.

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His directing approach draws heavily from his experience on both sides of the camera and stage. As an actor, improviser, cinematographer, editor, and producer, Jason brings an understanding of performance together with a strong visual sensibility. Jason has worked extensively throughout the performing arts and entertainment community, including projects with Virginia Opera, Zeiders American Dream Theater, and Plan B Comedy, where he serves as Artistic Director. His production experience also includes commercial and broadcast work for organizations throughout Virginia, as well as still photography for numerous television productions.

Jason is currently the theater Director at Norfolk Academy and he is thrilled to be back directing Variations with the Virginia Opera for another season. He would like to thank the cast and crew for all of their hard work, his family and friends for their love and support and the audience for supporting the magic of live performance.  

New season pairs Met and Vienna State Opera veterans with the company’s own homegrown talent across Pagliacci, Hansel and Gretel and Turandot.

Virginia Opera has locked in the singers for its 2026-27 season, and the casting sheet reads like a study in contrasts: a soprano fresh off Vienna State Opera stages next to performers the company grew from scratch. That’s kind of the point. Across three productions, the company is leaning hard into a formula that’s worked for it before: put international names next to its own Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists and let the results speak for themselves.

“This season will feature the thrilling Virginia Opera mainstage debuts of several internationally acclaimed artists while also showcasing the exceptional up-and-coming talent represented by our Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists,” said Adam Turner, the company’s artistic director and chief conductor. “Grandeur and spectacle, a family-friendly fairytale, and a high-stakes emotional rollercoaster — audiences will experience world-class performances from some of the finest singers in opera today.”

The season runs across the company’s usual three homes: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond’s Dominion Energy Center, and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax.

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“This season will feature the thrilling Virginia Opera mainstage debuts of several internationally acclaimed artists while also showcasing the exceptional up-and-coming talent represented by our Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists,” said Adam Turner, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor. “Grandeur and spectacle, a family-friendly fairytale, and a high-stakes emotional rollercoaster — audiences will experience world-class performances from some of the finest singers in opera today.”

Opening the season in November, Pagliacci features a dynamic blend of internationally recognized artists making their Virginia Opera debuts alongside familiar faces returning to the company’s stages. Internationally acclaimed soprano Kathryn Lewek makes her Virginia Opera debut as Nedda in the Norfolk and first Richmond performances, while returning favorite Sarah Tucker, last seen as Micaela in Carmen, assumes the role for the second Richmond performance and both Fairfax performances. Tenor Zach Borichevsky returns following his acclaimed performance as Don José in Carmen, joined by baritone Kidon Choi, making his Virginia Opera debut as Tonio after appearances with leading companies including San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Opera’s prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. Former Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Hunter Enoch returns to Virginia Opera in the role of Silvio following an impressive career that has included Washington National Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, while current Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Carlos Ahrens completes the ensemble as Beppe. Together, the cast reflects Virginia Opera’s tradition of pairing internationally celebrated artists with performers who have developed lasting relationships with the company. Pagliacci will be directed by Virginia Opera favorite Kyle Lang, whose most recent company production was the acclaimed Intelligence in 2026. Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Adam Turner will conduct the production. Scenic design is by Steven C. Kemp, whose striking sets were last seen in Virginia Opera’s Intelligence.

Hansel and Gretel showcases Virginia Opera’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of operatic talent by featuring an entirely Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist cast. Soprano Maggie Kinabrew stars as Gretel opposite mezzo-soprano Melanie Dubil as Hansel, with Lindsey Polcyn portraying both Gertrude (Mother) and the Witch, Joel Clemens as Peter (Father), and Nia Spaulding in the dual roles of the Dew Fairy and Sandman. Representing some of opera’s brightest rising talent, these young artists bring experience from prestigious training programs and companies including Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, The Glimmerglass Festival, Sarasota Opera, Central City Opera, and Boston Baroque. The production underscores Virginia Opera’s long-standing commitment to cultivating the next generation of opera performers by placing its Emerging Artists at the center of one of the repertoire’s most beloved works. Hansel and Gretel marks the Virginia Opera directorial debut of Stephanie Havey. Director of Emerging Artists, Associate Conductor, and Chorus Master Brandon Eldredge will conduct the production. Scenic design is by Steven C. Kemp.

The season concludes with Puccini’s monumental Turandot, featuring a cast that combines internationally established dramatic voices with several artists who have longstanding ties to Virginia Opera. Soprano Alexandra LoBianco makes her Virginia Opera debut in the title role after acclaimed performances with the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Seattle Opera. Tenor Samuel White, following his noteworthy appearance at last season’s Virginia Opera Gala, makes his mainstage debut as Calaf after recent success as both Calaf and Canio as well as winning the George London Award, one of the most prestigious opera competitions for young singers. Returning favorite Symone Harcum, herself a former Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist, brings her celebrated artistry to the role of Liù following acclaimed appearances with Opera Philadelphia, Minnesota Opera, and Virginia Opera. Bass Kevin Thompson returns after last season’s Intelligence to portray Timur, one of his signature roles, while former Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist David Blalock returns as Pong after more than a decade of appearances with Virginia Opera and an ongoing career with the Metropolitan Opera. Current Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Joel Clemens, Carlos Ahrens, Yichen Xue, and Xiaojie Ji round out the imperial court as Ping, Pang, A Mandarin, and Emperor Altoum, respectively, creating a cast that seamlessly blends internationally renowned performers, returning Virginia Opera artists, and exceptional emerging talent. Turandot reunites Virginia Opera with director Kyle Lang. Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Adam Turner conducts Puccini’s monumental masterpiece, with scenic design by Steven C. Kemp.

Principal Casting
Pagliacci

• Kathryn Lewek as Nedda (Nov. 6, 8 & 13)
• Sarah Tucker as Nedda (Nov. 15, 21 & 22)
• Zach Borichevsky as Canio
• Kidon Choi as Tonio
• Hunter Enoch as Silvio
• Carlos Ahrens as Beppe

Hansel and Gretel

• Maggie Kinabrew as Gretel
• Melanie Dubil as Hansel
• Lindsey Polcyn as Gertrude (Mother)/The Witch
• Joel Clemens as Peter (Father)
• Nia Spaulding as Dew Fairy/Sandman

Turandot

• Alexandra LoBianco as Turandot
• Samuel White as Calaf
• Symone Harcum as Liù
• Kevin Thompson as Timur
• David Blalock as Pong
• Joel Clemens as Ping
• Carlos Ahrens as Pang
• Yichen Xue as A Mandarin
• Xiaojie Ji as Emperor Altoum

For more information about Virginia Opera’s 2026-2027 season, visit vaopera.org.

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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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In the 2025-26 season, David returned to the Metropolitan Opera for their productions of Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Salome, joined Charlottesville Opera to make his debut as Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, returned to Carnegie Hall as tenor soloist in Schubert’s Mass in G, and joined the Indianapolis Symphony for their annual Yuletide Celebration concerts. He also joined the faculty at the University of Notre Dame as an adjunct professor of Voice, and returned to the role of Pong in Turandot with the Pacific Symphony.

During the 2023-24 season, Mr. Blalock made an exciting return to Madison Opera where he sang the title role in The Anonymous Lover by Chevalier de Saint-Georges. He then returned to the Metropolitan Opera to cover Pong in Turandot, and joined MidAmerica Productions as the tenor soloist in Schubert’s Mass in G and Forrest’s The Dawn from on High at Carnegie Hall. Other engagements during the season included L’elisir d’amore  with Opera Grand Rapids, and Bruckner’s Te Deum with Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.

In 2023, Mr. Blalock began with a reprisal of Ferrando in Così fan Tutte with the Newport Music Festival and returned to Madison Opera to sing Second Jew in Salome. He then debuted the role of the Duke in Rigoletto with Opera Columbus, covered Anthony in Sweeney Todd with Opera Tampa, performed Macduff in Working for the Macbeths with American Lyric Theatre, and returned to the Metropolitan Opera where he sang Gastone in La Traviata and covered Thierry and Chaplain in Dialogues des Carmélites. Mr. Blalock also reprised Alfredo in La Traviata with Opera Columbus, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with Indianapolis Opera, and was scheduled to reprise Young Thompson in Glory Denied with Permian Basin Opera (cancelled due to COVID).

In 2021-22, Mr. Blalock returned to the Metropolitan Opera for productions of Ariadne auf Naxos and Turandot. Other engagements during the season included Ferrando with Bar Harbor Music Festival, Tamino with Pensacola Opera, a recording of Glory Denied with Atlanta Opera, and a residency at Texas Tech University with Jeni Houser. He ended his season by reprising Tamino with the Northern Lights Music Festival and singing a concert of opera arias and highlights with St. Croix Valley Opera.

In addition to his Metropolitan Opera debut as Pong in Turandot, Mr. Blalock’s 2019-20 season included Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Pensacola Opera, his debut with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra for Messiah, and a concert of Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra. Scheduled 2020 performances that were cancelled due to COVID-19 include a return to Madison Opera as the title character in Orpheus in the Underworld, a return to Virginia Opera as Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, and a reprisal of Count Almaviva in On Site Opera’s highly acclaimed production of Paisiello’s Barber of Seville at Caramoor.

Mr. Blalock began the 2018-19 season as Pelléas in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande with West Edge Opera, followed by a return to Virginia Opera as Sam in Street Scene, Alfredo in La Traviata with Arizona Opera, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore with Piedmont Opera, Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang with the Duluth Symphony, and a return to Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Opera Hong Kong. He also joined Madison Opera for their summer Opera in the Park celebration, a concert of arias and opera highlights.

Highlights of the 2017-18 season included a debut with Opera San Jose as Ferrando in Così fan tutte, a concert of arias and opera highlights with the San Francisco Symphony, a role debut as the title character in La Clemenza di Tito with the Maryland Opera Studio, a return to Virginia Opera as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Messiah with Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and Virginia Symphony.

Performances in the 2016-17 season include his debut with Washington National Opera, performing the Ring Announcer in Champion, Roderigo in Otello with the Minnesota Orchestra, Nikolaus Sprink in Silent Night with Atlanta Opera, Rodolfo in La Bohème with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony,  the Second Jew in Salome with Minnesota Orchestra, and Count Almaviva in the North American premiere of Portugal’s The Marriage of Figaro with On Site Opera.  Mr. Blalock spent the summer of 2015 as Ricky in the world premiere of Jeremy Howard Beck’s The Long Walk at Opera Saratoga. His busy 2015-16 season included both Handel’s Messiah and Pong (Turandot) with the Pacific Symphony, Toby in Sweeney Todd with Mill City Summer Opera, a Viennese Operetta concert with the Richmond Symphony, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy at UN Assembley Hall with the Shanghai Symphony, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well in Paris with Performance Santa Fe, and a return to Virginia Opera as the Steersman in The Flying Dutchman.

In the 2014-15 season, Mr. Blalock sang Jaquino in Beethoven’s Fidelio with Madison Opera, Don Ottavio in North Carolina Opera’s production of Don Giovanni, Jonathan Dale in Silent Night with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Toby in Sweeney Todd at Virginia Opera, Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Paisiello) with On Site Opera, and debuted as Rodolfo in La Bohème with Greenville Lyric Opera. As a Virginia Opera Emerging Artist during the 2013-14 season, Mr. Blalock was seen as First Priest in The Magic Flute, Brighella in Ariadne auf Naxos and Le Remendado in Carmen. From 2012-13, Mr. Blalock spent two summers as an apprentice with The Santa Fe Opera, singing Bertram in Rossini’s La Donna del Lago, Infirmary Patient in the world premiere of Theodore Morrison’s Oscar, and covering Welko and Jankel in Strauss’ Arabella. In the spring of 2013, Mr. Blalock made his Fort Worth Opera debut as Young Thompson in Tom Cipullo’s Glory Denied, while also covering Rodolfo in La bohème. He spent the summer of 2011 as a studio artist with Central City Opera, singing Morales in their family performance of Carmen.

From 2009-11, Mr. Blalock was a member of the Maryland Opera Studio in College Park, MD, as a baritone. He sang several roles with the Studio, including Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Riolobo in Daniel Catan’s Florencia en el Amazonas, and The Ring Announcer in the world premiere of Shadowboxer, an opera detailing the life of boxer Joe Louis. Mr. Blalock has performed as a young artist with the Seagle Music Colony and Ash Lawn Opera, singing roles in La Cenerentola, La bohème, The Magic Flute, and Brigadoon. He received his undergraduate degree from UNC Greensboro in 2009, where his credits include roles in La Vida Breve, The Ballad of Baby Doe, and The Tender Land.

Mr. White is a 2024 recipient of the George London Award from the George and Nora London Foundation Competition, and recently joined San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola Opera Program as an apprentice artist. As young artist with Santa Fe Opera, he covered The Prince in Rusalka, while also singing scenes in concert as Walther von Stolzing in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and the False Prince in Boris Godunov. He also covered the role of Licinio in Teatro Grattacielo’s production of La Vestale celebrating 100 years of Maria Callas. He has covered the roles of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Tulsa Opera and Count Loris Ipanov in Fedora with Teatro Grattacielo. His other performance credits include Matthew Gurney in Tobias Picker’s Emmeline, Aeneas in Dido & Aeneas, and Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus.

He has completed training in such institutions as The Aspen Opera Center, The Glimmerglass Festival, Opera in the Ozarks, and  Lyric Opera Studio Weimar, and holds a Bachelor and Masters of Music from The Florida State University and a Postgraduate Certificate from Manhattan School of Music.

Recently, Mr. Enoch made his début with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as Scarpia in their production of Tosca and returned to Pacific Northwest Opera as Iago in Otello after joining them for La Traviata in his role début as Germont. He joined Maryland Lyric Opera to sing the title role in Le nozze di Figaro, the Mandarin in Turandot, and Flemish Deputy in Don Carlo, and he performed Scarpia with Anchorage Opera, and Donner in Das Rheingold with Miami Music Festival, both in productions which were postponed from 2020 due to COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, he returned to Washington National Opera as Montano in Otello, sang the role of Kurwenal in Act 2 of Tristan und Isolde with the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gianandrea Noseda at both the Kennedy Center and at Lincoln Center, and sang Palémon in Thaïs with Maryland Lyric Opera.

Mr. Enoch is an alum of the prestigious Cafritz Young Artist program at Washington National Opera. During his time with the company, he was engaged as Count Almaviva and Sharpless in the Cafritz performances of Le nozze di Figaro and Madama Butterfly, a Corporal in The Daughter of the Regiment, ADC in The Dictator’s Wife, and cover for Joseph De Rocher in Dead Man Walking. His WNO début was as Moralès in Carmen, and he was later heard as James Miller in the world premiere of Better Gods. While at WNO Mr. Enoch returned to The Glimmerglass Festival as a guest artist, singing Marcello in La bohème and covering the role of John Proctor in The Crucible, following his festival début as Sharpless in the Young Artist performance of Madama Butterfly the previous summer. After leaving the Cafritz program, he was heard as Zuniga in Carmen with Rochester Philharmonic, Escamillo in Carmen with The Washington Chorus at The Kennedy Center, and in Bernstein’s Songfest with National Symphony Orchestra. He made his Detroit Symphony Orchestra début as Ping in Turandot, followed by his role début as the Four Villains in Les contes d’Hoffmann at the Aspen Music Festival. Mr. Enoch then went on to sing the role of William Dale in Silent Night with WNO, make his company and role début as Scarpia for Opera Birmingham, and sing Happy in La Fanciulla del West and Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor for Maryland Lyric Opera.

Other training includes an artist residency with the Academy of Vocal Arts, where he appeared as Taddeo in L’italiana in Algeri, Marcello in La bohème, and Valentin in Faust; the Emerging Artist program at Virginia Opera where he sang Moralès in Carmen and Wig Maker in Ariadne auf Naxos; Seattle Opera’s young artist program, where he sang Il Cavaliere di Belfiore in Un giorno di regno; Chautauqua Opera as a Studio Artist; and two seasons in the Studio Artist program at Wolf Trap Opera. He earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Mr. Enoch appeared as a semifinalist in The Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition and is the recipient of the Sullivan Foundation’s Career Development Award.