News & Reviews
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A quilt of guilt and beauty: Civil War opera ‘Intelligence’ brings history home in Norfolk
PilotOnline.com Page Laws January 30, 2026 A white woman and a woman she enslaved joined forces to spy on the Confederate White House. It’s “I Spy” — the 1960s TV show about a Black spy partnered with a white one — but so much more historical, locally significant and...
Richmond’s hidden espionage history explored in opera ‘Intelligence’
RichmondFreePress.com Free Press Staff Report January 29, 2026 With Richmond’s Civil War past as its backdrop, a new opera brings the city’s hidden history of espionage to the forefront through music, storytelling and live performance. The Library of Virginia and...
Grammy-nominated opera about spies, war and freedom debuts this weekend
WHRO.org Vicki L. Friedman January 27, 2026 Virginia Opera is performing 'Intelligence,' which is based on two Richmond women who worked for the North during the Civil War. The opera will be performed in Norfolk, Richmond and Fairfax. Composer Jake Heggie is...
Explore Civil War spy stories at Library of Virginia’s ‘Intelligence’ event
WRIC.com Alex Roever January 26, 2026 RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Library of Virginia and Virginia Opera will be presenting a discussion panel and performance of “Intelligence.” On Jan. 26, the Library of Virginia and Virginia Opera announced that there will be a free...
VA Opera’s “Intelligence” brings Civil War espionage tale to life on Coast Live
WTKR.com Coast Live January 26, 2026 NORFOLK, Va. — Adam Turner, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor for Virginia Opera, and Jacqueline Echols McCarley, singing the role of Mary Jane Bowser, join Coast Live to discuss "Intelligence," an opera based on a true story...
A One-of-a-Kind Experience in the Arts: Virginia Opera Performs for HRA’s Lower School
January 14, 2026 On the morning of Wednesday, January 14, Hampton Roads Academy’s Lower Schoolers were treated to a special performance, the likes of which many had never experienced before. Though the students were seated in the familiar Svein J. Lassen Auditorium,...
Impacted by government shutdown? Virginia Opera offering complimentary tickets to ‘Cinderella’ production
WRIC.com Clare Gehlich Oct 31, 2025 RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Those impacted by the government shutdown have the opportunity to receive complimentary tickets to Virginia Opera’s upcoming production of the classic “Cinderella” in one of three cities in the Commonwealth...
No Slipper for This Cinderella on Coast Live
WTKR.com Coast Live October 30, 2025 HAMPTON ROADS, VA— Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, right? Well, the Virginia Opera is sharing a new take on the fairytale courtesy of Rossini. In this version, Cinderella doesn't lose a glass slipper but instead a bracelet....
Virginia Opera’s season opens next week, with shows that are timeless and new
WHRO.org Staff Report October 27, 2025 Virginia Opera's season includes a piece based on the heroics of a Civil War spy based in Richmond Virginia Opera's 51st season opens next week with a lineup that includes well-loved classics and modern productions. The...
Virginia Opera Names New General Director & CEO
David Salazar OperaWire.com July 1, 2025 Virginia Opera has named John-Paul Schaefer to the position of General Director and CEO, effective July 1, 2025. He previously served six months as Interim General Director, managing the company through the world premiere of...