Virginia Opera, The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Private Bank, announce that the Opera will present its annual Opera in the Park concert in two of its homes this year. As in previous years, Opera in the Park will take place at Norfolk’s Town Point Park on Saturday, Sep. 7 in conjunction with Festevents 2013 Season. And, for the first time, the concert will also be presented in Richmond, Va., at the Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre as part of the City’s 57th Festival of Arts, on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Opera in the Park is now entering its 5th year in Hampton Roads and has attracted upwards of 5,000 attendees each year. Both events will be free and open to the public of all ages and feature a casual, picnic-style atmosphere. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Rain-dates are scheduled for the following Sunday evenings at the same time.
Virginia Opera’s Resident Conductor Adam Turner will lead the cast and chorus of the Opera’s season opening production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Falstaffin a program featuring many of opera’s most well-known and loved melodies. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra returns to provide musical accompaniment for the program at Town Point Park, while members of the Richmond Symphony will join the Opera at Dogwood Dell.
Virginia Opera is proud to once again partner with Wells Fargo Private Bank, sponsor of this year’s Opera in the Park, at both venues. Additional operational support for the events is provided by Festevents in Norfolk, and by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities in Richmond.
Attendees will be able to pre-register for the concerts this year through Virginia Opera’s website. Each registrant will receive electronic updates on activities surrounding the event as they are added and will also be entered to win prizes like reserved seating, picnic baskets, and admission for four to the Wells Fargo Private Bank VIP Tent. Those interested may register online at www.vaopera.org/park or call the Virginia Opera Box Office at 1.866.OPERA.VA (1.866.673.7282), Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to register by phone.
Details regarding the concert program, vendors, raffle prizes, and additional activities will be made available throughout the summer at the Opera’s website at www.vaopera.org/park. Additional venue information, including parking and park rules, is available by visiting www.richmondgov.com/parks or www.festevents.org.