Plans include newly commissioned World Premiere and a new VAOpera Brand
Hampton Roads, Richmond, Fairfax, VA – Virginia Opera, the official opera company of the commonwealth of Virginia, proudly announces its momentous 50th Anniversary Season, set to captivate audiences during the 2024-2025 Season. Established in 1974, Virginia Opera has become a cornerstone of cultural excellence, and this milestone season promises to be a celebration of artistic achievement, innovation, and the enduring power of the human voice.
In commemoration of its golden anniversary, Virginia Opera is excited to reveal a dynamic new brand, highlighted by a fresh logo and a compelling tagline: “Where Voice Rules.” This mantra reflects the company’s commitment to harnessing the profound impact of the human voice, transcending conventional boundaries, and sharing the transformative power of opera with audiences far and wide.
The essence of the “Where Voice Rules” ethos is eloquently expressed in Virginia Opera’s manifesto: “We may be an opera company based in the Old Dominion. But old thinking holds no sway here. Here, only one thing matters: The power of the human voice. To move us. Challenge us. Delight us. And connect us. Whatever we do, we do to share that power with as many people in as many beautiful, soul-stirring ways as possible. This is Virginia Opera. Where Voice Rules.”
“Celebrating 50 years is an important time to reflect” comments Virginia Opera General Director and CEO Peggy Kriha Miller. “It is even more important that we look to the future of our company, our artform, and our community, ensuring opera and the cultural arts continue to thrive across Virginia.”
The 2024-2025 Season kicks off with the highly anticipated Twilight of the Gods, marking the culmination of Virginia Opera’s first complete Ring cycle. Following this grand opening, the stage will come alive with the return of Carmen after a 10-year hiatus, followed by a captivating production of Così fan tutte in early 2025. The season crescendos to an extraordinary finale with the world premiere performance of Loving v. Virginia.
Co-Commissioned with the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Opera proudly presents the world premiere of Loving v. Virginia, a groundbreaking opera composed by Damien Geter, with a libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo. The creation of this work has been a collaborative journey, marked by workshops and engagement with the community since November 2022. The final workshop is set for May 2024, leading up to the eagerly anticipated premiere in April/May 2025. Renowned opera artist Denyce Graves is set to direct this innovative new work.
In conjunction with Loving v. Virginia, Virginia Opera and the Richmond Symphony will present special community programming throughout the 2024-2025 season under the title Building a Loving Community. This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to fostering connections, inclusivity, and dialogue within the community.
Adam Turner, Artistic Director of Virginia Opera shares his excitement for this milestone season: “As we celebrate 50 years of Virginia Opera, we embark on a transformative journey that underscores the enduring power of the human voice. ‘Where Voice Rules’ is not just a tagline: it’s a commitment to push artistic boundaries and share the beauty of opera with our community in profound and soul-stirring ways. Join us as we mark this historic occasion and continue to elevate the cultural landscape of the communities.”
Full season subscriptions for the 2024-2025 Season are now available for purchase, starting at $75. For more information and to secure your subscription, visit https://vaopera.org/subscriptions.
Virginia Opera’s 50th Anniversary Season promises to be a landmark celebration of artistic excellence, innovation, and the enduring power of the human voice. Join us as we embark on this extraordinary journey, where voice truly rules.
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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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