In response to the COVID-19 situation, Virginia Opera announces a variety of featured presentations and educational programming with extensive digital and limited in-person opportunities.
Words and Image courtesy of Virginia Opera.
Virginia Opera, The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, shares their performance calendar by announcing the 2021 Spring Season, a thoroughly entertaining and easily accessible program with numerous virtual and in-person Features to be presented throughout the coming months.
General Director and CEO Peggy Kriha Dye: “Making music is our passion and we are thrilled to announce our Spring Season. We are excited about new collaborations, bold plans, and to welcome talented singers to our communities. As always, all of this activity will happen with the safety of our artists and patrons at the forefront of our planning.”
Spearheading the new season is an eight-week long Masterclass Series featuring mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. Digital episodes premiere each Wednesday through March 17, 2021 as an exclusive benefit to Virginia Opera subscribers and donors. The masterclass aims to equip patrons with an-insider view of the art of opera through the teachings of the accomplished Ms. Graves.
Another digital event included in the Spring Season will be a classic experience with a virtual twist. Patrons are invited to Cabaret with Us, an evening of music with Virginia Opera’s Emerging Artists, who will transport viewers to an evening on the town. This bring-your-own-cocktail event promises to be a night to remember – cocktail recipes included!
Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, a one-act opera set in 1950s suburbia, follows a young married couple struggling to prioritize their relationship amidst the laundry list of demands in their daily lives. Audiences will love this infectiously jazzy 45-minute portrait of "domestic bliss" and find a glimmer of hope in its candid conclusion. Limited live performances will be presented in Norfolk, co-presented with the Virginia Arts Festival, at the VAF Bank Street Stage on May 7 and 8, 2021 and in Richmond at Dogwood Dell on May 1, 2021.
The Virginia Opera 2021 Spring Season cast features members of the company’s Emerging Artists Program. Returning from the Fall 2020 Stayin’ Alive initiative are soprano Symone Harcum who will sing the soprano role in the trio of Trouble in Tahiti; baritone Nicholas Martorano will join her in the trio; and bass-baritone Eric McConnell in the role of Sam. Making their Virginia Opera debut are mezzo-soprano Marissa Simmons in the role of Dinah and tenor Andrew Turner who will round out the trio.
The final Feature of Virginia Opera’s 2021 Spring Season will be a magnificent Spring Gala, a fully digital fundraising event for the benefit of Virginia Opera.
Virtually Amazing Opera, Virginia Opera’s new digital learning platform launches with The Princess and the Pea, written by Dr. Glenn Winters. A fully-staged production, The Princess and the Pea is the adventure of a young woman who, while lost on her way to a costume party, battles against the Queen’s clever quest for the ultimate prize – a happily-ever-after with the handsome prince. Virtually Amazing Opera, Virginia Opera’s initiative to enrich local school curriculum, acts to present arts-based educational content through easily accessible venues, free of charge. Educators are encouraged to opt-in at vaopera.org/learn to receive supplementary content over the year. Future features in the educational program include a full staged digital production of John Davies’ Pinocchio as well as bite sized Brain Breaks! All available online.
More information regarding Virginia Opera’s 2021 Spring Season can be found by visiting the company’s website, vaopera.org.