| Virginia Opera - Norfolk | 26 April 2024 |
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Madama Butterfly
Sanctuary Road
Il barbiere di Siviglia
La Traviata
Fellow Travelers
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Performance reviews
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Madama ButterflyVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A dazzling and heartfelt production…sumptuous costumes, unforgettable acting, and world-class singing |
 19 Mar 24 / MD Theatre Guide |
No more ‘Girl in Every Port’: Updated ‘Madama Butterfly’ alights at Virginia Opera |
| 15 Mar 24 / The Virginian-Pilot |
La TraviataVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Viva Verdi! And Viva Violetta! |
| 10 Mar 23 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Fellow TravelersVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Trailblazing: ‘Fellow Travelers’ hacks out a new path for opera |
| 4 Feb 23 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Paranoia, fear, and gay love are at the center of the Virginia Opera's bold new production of "Fellow Travelers" |
| 2 Feb 23 / Metro Weekly |
The Pirates of PenzanceVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Hail, hail, the pirates are all here! ‘Penzance’ steals hearts at Virginia Opera |
| 6 Nov 22 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Die WalküreVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Magnificent staging, exuberant performances, and effective Wagnerian orchestral music |
| 18 Oct 22 / MD Theatre Guide |
La CenerentolaVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
An artistic and cultural treasure to cherish |
| 19 Feb 20 / MD Theatre Guide |
Il PostinoVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
A sterling debut for ‘Il Postino’ by Virginia Opera |
| 12 Nov 19 / The Virginia Gazette |
ToscaVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Exciting 'Tosca' staged by the Virginia Opera |
| 17 Oct 19 / The Sentinel |
L'elisir d'amoreVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Virginia Opera’s 'The Elixir of Love' is a jolt of refreshment |
| 26 Feb 19 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Don GiovanniVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
This production well exceeded expectations |
| 18 Nov 18 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Lillian Groag's rendition is a vibrant and youthful take on the infamous playboy |
| 12 Nov 18 / Broadway World |
Street SceneVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Weill’s Broadway opera ‘Street Scene’ shows the endurance of American stereotypes |
| 9 Oct 18 / Washington Post |
Virginia Opera masterfully brings out the affection, grit and relevance of Weill’s “Street Scene” |
| 8 Oct 18 / Classical Review |
Lucia di LammermoorVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | 
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Dark, dramatic 'Lucia' a fitting Opera finale |
| 18 Apr 18 / The Virginia Gazette |
A great end to Virginia Opera’s 2017-2018 season |
| 18 Apr 18 / Communities Digital News |
Lucia di Lammermoor delivers vocal performance of the season at Virginia Opera |
| 15 Apr 18 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
La fanciulla del WestVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
The company has fully embraced the dashing, romantic spirit of the opera, with delightful results |
| 4 Dec 17 / DC Theater Arts |
Mark Walters leads promising cast in triumphant interpretation of Puccini classic |
| 16 Nov 17 / OperaWire |
Samson et DalilaVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Samson and Delilah opera at Carpenter Theatre delivers spectacle worth waiting for |
| 15 Oct 17 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Can’t even sex sell opera? |
| 9 Oct 17 / Washington Post |
"Samson and Delilah" brings a passionate, sexual psychodrama to Norfolk |
| 1 Oct 17 / The Virginian-Pilot |
TurandotVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Voices carried soaring, emotional 'Turandot' |
| 5 Apr 17 / The Virginia Gazette |
Kelly Cae Hogan, as Turandot, emphatically embodies the legendary beauty of Turandot |
| 2 Apr 17 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
“Turandot” eschews pageantry for great singing, brilliant characterizations |
| 31 Mar 17 / Communities Digital News |
more reviews [+]
Virginia Opera's "Turandot" is a strikingly unforgettable performance |
| 19 Mar 17 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Der FreischützVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
A performance that felt vital and spontaneous throughout |
| 28 Feb 17 / Opera News |
A hit and miss production |
| 19 Feb 17 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Virginia Opera’s ‘Magic Marksman’ deserves a bigger audience |
| 8 Feb 17 / Communities Digital News |
more reviews [+]
An opera director attempts to turn German Romanticism into American Gothic |
| 6 Feb 17 / Washington Post |
Freischütz American style |
| 4 Feb 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Amid its flaws, new Virginia Opera production has much to offer |
| 31 Jan 17 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Il barbiere di SivigliaVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Thwarting expectations with the standard repertoire |
| 6 Dec 16 / Washington Post |
Creativity abounds in Virginia Opera's "Barber of Seville" |
| 24 Nov 16 / The Virginia Gazette |
Virginia Opera’s 'Barber of Seville' goes beyond memorable |
| 20 Nov 16 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Die sieben TodsundenVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
No thrills, no chills, no memorable characters or music, and a performance that never takes flight |
| 16 Oct 16 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Virginia Opera pairs two works in unique way to look at two sides of sin |
| 4 Oct 16 / The Virginian-Pilot |
PagliacciVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Overall, Pagliacci hits its marks in every way |
| 16 Oct 16 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Virginia Opera pairs two works in unique way to look at two sides of sin |
| 4 Oct 16 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Der Fliegende HolländerVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Virginia Opera mounts a high-flying ‘Dutchman’ |
| 25 Apr 16 / Washington Post |
For the most part this “Flying Dutchman” is a triumph of design |
| 17 Apr 16 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Virginia Opera's "The Flying Dutchman" delivers plenty for the devoted Wagner fan |
| 10 Apr 16 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Roméo et JulietteVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Virginia Opera’s superb ‘Roméo et Juliette’ lives on |
| 28 Feb 16 / Communities Digital News |
The look is lavish but never fussy |
| 21 Feb 16 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Virginia Opera and Bernard Uzan’s production of Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet should not be missed |
| 15 Feb 16 / DC Theater Arts |
more reviews [+]
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| 15 Feb 16 / Washington Post |
Virginia Opera's "Romeo and Juliet" transports audience to a special place |
| 7 Feb 16 / The Virginian-Pilot |
La bohèmeVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Virginia Opera’s touching production of ‘La Bohème’ |
| 26 Nov 15 / Communities Digital News |
A somewhat dreary production |
| 19 Nov 15 / Washington City Paper |
Virginia Opera takes youthful approach to 'La Bohème' |
| 19 Nov 15 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
more reviews [+]
Elaine Alvarez takes the show away as Mimi |
| 16 Nov 15 / DC Theater Arts |
Orphée aux EnfersVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Dying is easy, comedy is hard |
| 13 Oct 15 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Virginia Opera’s amusing “Orpheus” heads for Richmond finale |
| 9 Oct 15 / Communities Digital News |
Virginia Opera’s ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ is almost heaven |
| 5 Oct 15 / Washington Post |
more reviews [+]
Virginia Opera opens season with invigorating "Orpheus in the Underworld" |
| 1 Oct 15 / The Virginian-Pilot |
La TraviataVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
'La Traviata' opens with a stunner |
| 29 Mar 15 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
A winning team for Virginia Opera’s ‘La Traviata’ |
| 23 Mar 15 / Washington Post |
Best ever: Virginia Opera’s deeply affecting ‘La Traviata’ |
| 23 Mar 15 / Communities Digital News |
SalomeVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Virginia Opera’s weirdly beautiful ‘Salome’ |
| 21 Feb 15 / Communities Digital News |
A tour de force etched in love and death |
| 16 Feb 15 / Washington Post |
It’s impossible to dismiss, much less forget |
| 9 Feb 15 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
HMS PinaforeVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Lively, funny, intelligent |
| 13 Dec 14 / Communities Digital News |
Virginia Opera puts on clever, detailed ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ |
| 8 Dec 14 / Washington Post |
Sweeney ToddVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Virginia Opera’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ rides on operatic voices, despite miking |
| 13 Oct 14 / Washington Post |
Trip to "Barber" a hair less fun |
| 28 Sep 14 / The Virginian-Pilot |
CarmenVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson cut a sexy figure in the title role |
| 14 Apr 14 / Washington Post |
Overall, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable version of a familiar tale |
| 13 Apr 14 / Washington City Paper |
Virginia Opera’s colorful ‘Carmen’ fills the house in Fairfax |
| 13 Apr 14 / Communities Digital News |
more reviews [+]
Virginia Opera seduces with cast, production values |
| 26 Mar 14 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Ariadne auf NaxosVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Strong and ambitious, if not world-class |
| 17 Feb 14 / Washington Post |
Die ZauberflöteVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Virginia Opera's 'Magic Flute' a delight |
| 14 Dec 13 / Washington Times |
Virginia Opera’s whimsical but faithful ‘Magic Flute’ |
| 9 Dec 13 / Washington Post |
FalstaffVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Virginia Opera production of Verdi's 'Falstaff' is great fun |
| 14 Oct 13 / Washington Times |
Virginia Opera’s ‘Falstaff’ has everything necessary for great opera buffa |
| 14 Oct 13 / Washington Post |
With all this folly and jest on stage, Virginia Opera’s 2013-14 season is off to a zesty start |
| 6 Oct 13 / Richmond.com |
Le nozze di FigaroVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Everything works in this ‘Figaro’ |
| 28 Apr 13 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
Virginia Opera has all the elements of a great ‘Marriage of Figaro’ |
| 22 Apr 13 / Washington Post |
Virginia Opera 'Marriage of Figaro' an adventure in total delight |
| 21 Apr 13 / Washington Times |
more reviews [+]
Virginia Opera marries dramatic and musical in "Figaro" |
| 8 Apr 13 / The Virginian-Pilot |
A Streetcar Named DesireVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
‘Streetcar Named Desire’ unable to surmount staging challenges |
| 4 Mar 13 / Washington Post |
Fine performances, oddly staged |
| 26 Feb 13 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Die FledermausVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Virginia Opera’s ‘Die Fledermaus’ marks return to familiar |
| 4 Dec 12 / Washington Post |
Mark returns to the Virginia Opera, bringing a satisfactory ‘Die Fledermaus’ with him |
| 3 Dec 12 / Washington Post |
Holy cornballs, Batman! |
| 2 Dec 12 / Washington City Paper |
more reviews [+]
Comic operetta “Die Fledermaus” hits the right notes |
| 13 Nov 12 / The Virginian-Pilot |
Les pêcheurs de perlesVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Virginia Opera's bright, affecting 'Pearl Fishers' at GMU |
| 16 Oct 12 / Washington Times |
Virginia Opera’s ‘The Pearl Fishers’ may signal a turn to the conventional |
| 16 Oct 12 / Washington Post |
Bros before throes |
| 14 Oct 12 / Washington City Paper |
The MikadoVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Virginia Opera ends season with delightful 'Mikado' |
| 6 Apr 12 / Washington Times |
Virginia Opera's "Mikado" is all dressed up but, alas, has nowhere to go |
| 2 Apr 12 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
A rollickingly funny, energetic and cheerful production |
| 26 Mar 12 / Washington Post |
OrphéeVirginia OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Virginia Opera captures spirit of Philip Glass' 'Orphee' |
| 14 Feb 12 / Baltimore Sun |
It may be a chamber opera, but minimal it ain’t |
| 13 Feb 12 / Washington Post |
Virginia Opera's robust staging of Philip Glass' 'Orphee' |
| 13 Feb 12 / Washington Times |
more reviews [+]
Director Sam Helfrich keeps things light, even trippy |
| 12 Feb 12 / Washington City Paper |
Virginia Opera's 'Orphée' powerful, haunting |
| 2 Feb 12 / The Virginian-Pilot |
associated articles [+]
For Virginia opera lovers, it’s a whole new scene
When Robin Thompson sat down to see a performance of Philip Glass’s opera “Orphée” at the Glimmerglass Opera in 2007, he had low expectations.
When Robin Thompson sat down to see a performance of Philip Glass’s opera “Orphée” at the Glimmerglass Opera in 2007, he had low expectations.
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News & Articles
| Virginia Opera announces new General Director & CEO |
The Virginia Opera has announced the appointment of Peggy Kriha Dye as the organization’s new General Director and CEO. |
| 11 Sep 2020 / OperaWire |
| Virginia Opera announces its 2016-17 season |
From productions rarely seen in this country to beloved opera classics, Virginia Opera’s 2016-17 repertoire pushes artistic boundaries both in scope and talent. |
| 20 Mar 2016 / Richmond Times-Dispatch |
| Virginia Opera announces 2016-2017 season |
Virginia Opera's recently announced 2016-2017 season will blend tradition and innovation in four scheduled performances. |
| 9 Jan 2016 / The Virginia Gazette |
| Virginia Opera names two artistic heads |
Virginia Opera has promoted two of its artistic staff members to lead positions, effective immediately. |
| 29 Apr 2014 / The Virginian-Pilot |
| Virginia Opera announces 2014-15 lineup |
The 40th anniversary season of the Virginia Opera promises to be dynamic – with performances flirting with darkness, murder and forbidden love. |
| 12 Jan 2014 / The Virginian-Pilot |
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