Following a landmark 50th Anniversary Season, Turner’s visionary leadership continues to shape the company’s future
Hampton Roads, Richmond, Fairfax, VA (June 30, 2025) – Following an artistically acclaimed 50th Anniversary Season, highlighted by the widely celebrated world premiere of Loving v. Virginia, Virginia Opera is thrilled to announce the contract extension of Adam Turner as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor through the 2027-2028 season. In this role, Turner continues to oversee and manage all artistic aspects of the company, including programming and casting.
Turner, who has served as Artistic Director since 2018, has been a driving force behind Virginia Opera’s continued artistic growth and national recognition. Through his vision and direction, the company has expanded its repertoire, strengthened and renewed community engagement, and championed new works that reflect the richness and diversity of the Commonwealth.
“Adam’s leadership has positioned Virginia Opera as a dynamic and artistically vibrant company,” said Mike Lott, Chair of the Board. “His passion for opera, commitment to excellence, and genuine rapport with our artists, boards, patrons, and audiences have been essential to our success, and we look forward to what’s ahead.”
The 50th Anniversary Season marked a high point in Turner’s tenure, culminating in Loving v. Virginia, a world premiere that received critical acclaim and national attention. The opera, composed by Damien Geter with a libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo, explored the landmark civil rights case through a powerful musical lens—earning praise for its emotional resonance and timely relevance.
“I’m honored to continue my work with Virginia Opera and to build on the momentum of our incredible 50th Anniversary Season,” said Turner. “The opportunity to lead this company into the next chapter—exploring bold ideas, nurturing emerging talent, and creating meaningful experiences for our audiences—is both humbling and deeply inspiring.”
Turner will continue to serve as both Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, overseeing artistic programming and conducting multiple productions each season. Plans for upcoming seasons include a mix of classic masterworks, contemporary titles, and continued investment in new commissions.
Highlights of Turner’s Tenure: Artistic Achievements
Turner made his Virginia Opera mainstage conducting debut in 2012, leading a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado. He has been on the podium in every season since, conducting more than 200 performances of 30+ different operas, operettas, and musicals, as well as a number of concerts and special events featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Virginia Opera Chorus, and Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists. Highlights of his tenure as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor include the world premiere of Loving v. Virginia by Damien Geter with libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo; the Commonwealth premieres of Sanctuary Road by Paul Moravec with libretto by Mark Campbell, Fellow Travelers by Gregory Spears with libretto by Greg Pierce, Il Postino by Daniel Catán, and An American Dream by Jack Perla with libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo; introducing the company premieres of canonical works: Wagner’s Siegfried and Das Rheingold, Weber’s Der Freischütz, Saint-Saëns’ Samson and Delilah, Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, Weill’s Street Scene and The Seven Deadly Sins, and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd; inaugurating the Variations series, side-stage programming dedicated to featuring new works, new stories, and new voices.
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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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