Step into the sultry streets of Seville, where desire and danger intertwine in Bizet’s timeless masterpiece. At its heart is the fiery Carmen, whose seductive charm ensnares the heart of a young soldier, only to lead them both toward an inevitable clash of honor, love, and tragedy. With its electrifying drama and iconic score, featuring unforgettable melodies like the “Habanera” and the “Toreador Song,” Carmen is a celebration of freedom, passion, and fate. A must-see for seasoned opera lovers and first-time attendees.

EPSG:4326

Carmen

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Get ready for an unforgettable, Picasso-esque look at Mozart’s masterpiece. Quick-witted Figaro hatches a plan to thwart the Count’s scheme to seduce his bride-to-be, Susanna. A comical riot of mistaken identities, disguises, and delightful chaos ensues. Secrets are revealed, but love triumphs with Mozart’s dazzling score and a fast-paced, brilliant exploration of class, love, and loyalty. Whether you are a seasoned opera lover or a newcomer, The Marriage of Figaro promises unending artistry, humor, and exhilaration through every note.

The Marriage of Figaro

The Barns At Wolf Trap

One of the most beloved and celebrated singers of our time, 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree and National Medal of Arts recipient Renee Fleming captivates audiences around the world with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry, and compelling stage presence. In this breathtaking performance inspired by the Grammy Award-winning album, Fleming explores humankind's evolving relationship with nature, performing works by Handel, Bjork, Faure, Puccini, and Jerome Kern, with a beautiful projected film created for the program with Nation Geographic. "Nothing short of mesmerizing... the music and the stunning film enveloped listeners... engendered awe and wonder: (The Boston Musical Intelligencer).

Renee Fleming

Harrison Opera House

"A reinvention of music theatre" – thus Klangforum Wien’s first concertante-performative meta-opera, an energetically charged foray through the operatic literature of the past 100 years, was hailed enthusiastically. Starting with Zemlinsky, via Sciarrino and Saunders, all the way to Xenakis, the spectrum covers nothing less than love in all its potentialities and impossibilities. Together with the Needcompany, the musicians present themselves as a lively collective of performers, wholeheartedly and powerfully on stage.

Amopera

Daegu Opera House

Wiener Konzerthaus

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv6htilWtI

The Artelize Podcast and Adolfo Corrado: Mediterranean flavors, opera and social media

### Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony Announce New Opera on Loving v. Virginia

The Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony have announced a groundbreaking new opera centered on the historic United States Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia. This operatic retelling will premiere as part of Virginia Opera’s 50th Anniversary Season in 2025. The opera will be composed by Damien Geter with a libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo.

**Event Highlights:**
- **Premiere Date:** 2025
- **Venues:** Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax.
- **Composer:** Damien Geter
- **Librettist:** Jessica Murphy Moo

**Background:**
Loving v. Virginia was a landmark civil rights decision by the United States Supreme Court, which invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage. The case was brought by Mildred and Richard Loving, who were sentenced to prison in 1958 for marrying each other, a union that was illegal in Virginia due to the Racial Integrity Act of 1924. Their conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1967, a decision that has had lasting impacts on civil rights and was cited in the 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage.

**Statements from Key Figures:**
- **Damien Geter, Composer:** Emphasized the personal significance of the case and the importance of telling the Lovings' story to honor their legacy and advance the art form.
- **Jessica Murphy Moo, Librettist:** Highlighted the inspirational nature of the Lovings' story and its relevance to themes of equality, home, and love in opera.
- **Adam Turner, Artistic Director of Virginia Opera:** Expressed excitement about featuring a Virginia story and a Virginia composer for the 50th Anniversary.
- **Peggy Kriha Dye, General Director and CEO of Virginia Opera:** Spoke about the opera's role in promoting equality and the collaboration with Richmond Symphony and the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU.
- **Lacey Huszcza, Executive Director of Richmond Symphony:** Stressed the importance of the Lovings' story for equality and social justice, and the alignment of missions between the Symphony and Virginia Opera.

**Development and Support:**
The project will be supported by a series of workshops starting in November 2022, focusing on the libretto, vocal writing, orchestral score, and production design. Early support has been received from OPERA America’s 2022 Repertoire Development Grant, with additional funding from corporations, foundations, and government agencies. Individuals can support the project by joining the Commissioning Club, which offers special access to workshops and the creative team.

**Contact Information:**
- **Virginia Opera:** Amanda J. Ely, Director of Marketing, amanda.ely@vaopera.org, 757-627-9545 ext. 3322
- **Richmond Symphony:** Sara Hunt, Public Relations, sarahuntpr@gmail.com

This new opera aims to celebrate the Lovings' contribution to racial justice and ensure their story resonates with future generations.

Loving v. Virginia

George Mason University

Dominion Energy Center

**Event Description: Così fan tutte by Virginia Opera**

Experience the comedic brilliance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Così fan tutte" with the Virginia Opera. This delightful opera, sung in Italian with English surtitles, explores the many faces of love as two friends don disguises to test the loyalty of their fiancées. With clever concealment and wily determination, the characters engage in a comic battle of the sexes, leaving the audience to wonder who will come out on top.

**Performance Details:**
- **Conductor:** Adam Turner
- **Orchestra:** Virginia Symphony Orchestra
- **Cast:**
  - Keely Futterer as Fiordiligi
  - Kristen Choi as Dorabella
  - Terrence Chin-Loy as Ferrando
  - Ethan Vincent as Guglielmo
  - Joseph Barron as Don Alfonso
  - Ashley Fabian as Despina

**Performance Dates and Venues:**
- **Norfolk at the Harrison Opera House:**
  - Friday, February 21, 7:30 PM
  - Sunday, February 23, 2:30 PM
- **Richmond at the Dominion Energy Center:**
  - Friday, February 28, 7:30 PM
  - Sunday, March 2, 2:30 PM

**Ticket Information:**
- Tickets will go on sale Monday, August 5, 2024.
- Purchase as part of a season package now on the Virginia Opera's subscriptions page.

Don't miss this enchanting production that promises to entertain and delight audiences with its timeless humor and beautiful music.

Così fan tutte

### Event Description: Carmen by Virginia Opera

**Event Overview:**
Experience the bold and passionate world of "Carmen," presented by the Virginia Opera. This timeless opera, composed by Georges Bizet, tells the story of Carmen, a fiercely independent and strong-willed woman who lives life on her own terms. Her beauty and bravery captivate those around her, but her tumultuous love life leads to a tragic end when her obsessed ex-lover violently rejects her decision to move on.

**Performance Details:**
- **Sung in:** French with English Surtitles
- **Conducted by:** Adam Turner
- **Directed by:** Kyle Lang
- **Orchestra:** Virginia Symphony Orchestra

**Ticket Information:**
- **On Sale Date:** Monday, August 5, 2024
- **Subscription Packages:** Available now on the Virginia Opera's subscriptions page

**Performance Schedule:**
- **Norfolk:**
  - Friday, November 8, 7:30 PM
  - Sunday, November 10, 2:30 PM
- **Fairfax:**
  - Saturday, November 16, 7:30 PM
  - Sunday, November 17, 2:00 PM
- **Richmond:**
  - Friday, November 22, 7:30 PM
  - Sunday, November 24, 2:30 PM

**Cast:**
- **Carmen:** Lisa Marie Rogali
- **Don José:** Zach Borichevsky
- **Escamillo:** Rolfe Dauz
- **Micaëla:** Alicia Russell Tagert
- **Frasquita:** Chase Sanders
- **Mercédès:** Aria Minasian
- **Remendado:** Daniel Lugo
- **Dancairo:** TBA
- **Zuniga:** TBA
- **Moralès:** TBA

Join us for an unforgettable evening of drama, passion, and exquisite music as we bring "Carmen" to life on stage. Secure your tickets early and be part of this extraordinary operatic experience.

Mozart’s masterpiece tells the story of a handsome playboy, Don Giovanni, as he blazes a path to his own destruction in a single day. He’s loved by women as much as he loves them, but his disregard for decency catches up with him. In the end, supernatural forces exact the final punishment and, for the first time, the Don cannot outwit fate.

Don Giovanni

One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s romantic depiction of Parisian bohemians captivates audiences with soaring arias and glorious melodies. Wolf Trap Opera’s bright cast will embody the relatable, endearing characters in this heart-wrenching tale.

NSO at Wolf Trap Opera: Puccini’s La bohème

Considered one of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s romantic depiction of Parisian bohemians captivates audiences. Soaring arias and glorious melodies collide with harsh realities. Wolf Trap Opera’s bright cast will embody the relatable and endearing characters in this heart-wrenching tale, leaving no one unmoved.

La bohème

Così fan tutte is Mozart’s most polarizing opera. Often considered the perfect ensemble opera, Così features ravishing melodies and glorious arias, duets, and sextets. The emotionally complex and quick-fire comedy offers an examination of sexual attitudes and the battle between love, reason, and human fallibility.

Virginia Opera’s season comes to a stunning close with Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, one of opera’s most beloved works. Bound by tradition and honor, a young Japanese maiden is left to face an unspeakable aftermath when abandoned by a reckless American naval officer. Puccini’s haunting score is filled with unforgettable music of unparalleled beauty that will stay with you forever.

Madama Butterfly

Bound by tradition and honor, a young Japanese maiden is left to face an unspeakable aftermath when abandoned by a reckless American naval officer. Puccini’s haunting score is filled with unforgettable music of unparalleled beauty that will stay with you forever. Productions in Norfolk, Fairfax, and Richmond.

Virginia Opera continues our partnership with Hampton Roads Pride for a second season. You’ll enjoy socializing with an exciting mix of people while supporting the arts. Membership options are $125 for an individual and $250 for a couple.

Hampton Roads Pride Out At The Opera

Sanctuary Road is based on the remarkable writings of William Still – an abolitionist, historian, and conductor of the Underground Railroad who helped nearly 800 enslaved African Americans escape to freedom. This moving piece tells the stories of Clarissa Davis, who fled Portsmouth, VA, Henry “Box” Brown, who fled Richmond, VA, along with the account of several other men and women who risked it all in pursuit of freedom.

Sanctuary Road

Harriet Tubman may be the best-known conductor of the Underground Railroad, but there were others including William Still. An abolitionist and historian, as well as a conductor for the Underground Railroad, he is credited with helping nearly 800 enslaved African Americans escape to freedom. Sanctuary Road by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec, is based on the remarkable writings of William Still.



Sanctuary Road In Norfolk

Julia Roberts would never have wooed Richard Gere, and Nicole Kidman wouldn’t have rocked the Moulin Rouge without La Traviata! Prepare to be swept away by one of opera’s most tragic love stories and the inspiration for these two iconic films: Pretty Woman and Moulin Rouge! The tale of the stunning courtesan Violetta and the hopelessly romantic Alfredo is woven with some of the best-known music in the repertoire. La Traviata’s high points are matched with tears in the tragic end. See for yourself why this story endures!

Opera events in Vienna, VA

Carmen

Wolf Trap Opera

The Marriage of Figaro

Wolf Trap Opera

Renee Fleming

Spoleto Festival USA

Amopera

Klangforum Wien

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Loving v. Virginia

Virginia Opera

Così fan tutte

Virginia Opera

Carmen

Virginia Opera

Don Giovanni

Virginia Opera

NSO at Wolf Trap Opera: P...

National Symphony Orchestra

La bohème

Wolf Trap Opera

Così fan tutte

Wolf Trap Opera

Madama Butterfly

Virginia Opera

Madama Butterfly

Richmond Symphony

Hampton Roads Pride Out A...

Virginia Opera

Sanctuary Road

Virginia Opera

Sanctuary Road In Norfolk...

Virginia Symphony Orchestra

La Traviata

Virginia Opera