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Virginia Opera: The arts bring in more than crowds, it raises the stakes
Posted February 26, 2010 NORFOLK, Va. – Yesterday, as arts advocates and supporters gathered on the Capitol to urge the House of Delegates to preserve support for the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Virginia Opera put the final touches on the “Highlights of Porgy and Bess” production to present multiple free performances at Norfolk’s Harrison Opera House for bus loads of school children from Hampton Roads. The special sneak preview performances of the mainstage production of “Porgy and Bess” are in celebration of Black History Month providing an enriching educational opportunity for the children exposed to the live performance. Joan B. Miller, President of Virginia Opera's Board of Directors firmly explains, “Live music and theater expose children to a lifetime structure of educational success.” Virginia Opera’s education and outreach program does just that by reaching more than 200,000 children and adults, providing study guides, collaborating with school teachers and administrators, and providing learning opportunities that meet the Virginia Department of Education’s Standing of Learning parameters (SOLs).
Virginia Opera, alongside all other arts organizations, rallied in support of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. The Commission does not only provide much needed funds, they provide guidance and a forum for all arts organizations regardless of size or budget. “Art in Virginia is like grass in a park. It is basic but you need it to draw people to you. The Commonwealth needs a strong community and the only way to achieve this is through an enriched arts environment, strong educational system and diverse business. To draw in business, and jobs, we need to develop a dynamic community that is attractive for corporate leadership and their staff,” says Paul A. “Gus” Stuhlreyer, III, General Director & CEO of Virginia Opera. Community, arts, business and jobs are a cyclical relationship. Tough times call for tough measures and Virginia Opera has been working hard to succeed through past and future seasons. Mrs. Miller notes, “A flourishing arts community will act as a magnet for business, which in turn enhances a community’s tax revenue. Without business relocation and tax revenue, the cities of Virginia have an even tougher, longer road to pave.”
As the final free performance of “The Highlights of Porgy and Bess” concludes today and the thousands of Hampton Roads children stand and cheer before loading back onto their yellow school buses to go back to school to discuss the history, sociology and music within the opera, Virginia Opera feels honored to be able to provide these services. “It will be heartbreaking if we can no longer complement the educational programs in Virginia. Knowing we may not be able to expose children to an exceptional educational opportunity and future success is not acceptable. We are already working to keep the best opera on stage and arts in front of our children so they will be shining stars,” stresses Mr. Stuhlreyer. In looking at the debate and the future of Virginia Opera, Mr. Stuhlreyer concludes, “Cutbacks can’t help but affect people and their jobs at a time when governmental entities, at all levels, are trying to secure and create jobs. Virginia Opera invests $3.8 million, or 80% of its total budget, in people. Choosing to shut down the Virginia Commission for the Arts will cost Virginia jobs not create jobs.”
Media may contact Director of Communications Danielle M. Canonico for more information or to arrange an interview at 757.627.9545 ext. 3316, 757.581.8589, or via e-mail at press@vaopera.org. Images are available at www.vaopera.org/press.
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Other Press Releases
> 02/22/10 - ‘Porgy and Bess’ heats up the stage
> 02/09/10 - Virginia Opera's Guild Celebrates Anniversary Gala
> 02/19/10 - 2010-2011: 36th Season Reveals Sensational Opera Favorites
> 02/15/10 - Virginia Opera Joins Statewide 2010 Arts Celebration
> 01/28/10 - ForKids and Virginia Opera Pair Up to Make a Difference
> 01/27/10 - Highlights of Porgy and Bess Heat Up Stage as Series of Free Community Events Celebrating Black History Month
> 01/20/10 - University of Richmond Alum Matthew Worth is 'Bad Boy' in Virginia Opera's Don Giovanni
> 01/04/10 - The 1st Arts in Denim: Sponsored by Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Tidewater 20
> 01/01/10 - Don Giovanni seduces his way into the hearts of Virginia Opera
> 09/24/09 - Stellar Member of Children’s Chorus Casts Leading Role
> 09/24/09 - Family in Opera Takes the Stage in Puccini’s 'La Bohème'
> 09/24/09 - Virginia Opera presents Puccini's 'La Bohème'
> 07/27/09 - Virginia Opera welcomes new Hampton Roads Director of Development
> 07/08/09 - History in Reviews (2002-2009): Peter Mark in the Spotlight
> 06/16/09 - Virginia Opera Board Elects New President
> 05/29/09 - Virginia Opera provides free ‘OPERA FOR EVERYONE’ Sunday matinee concert
> 04/16/09 - Virginia Opera’s Maestro Peter Mark and Artists Perform at Maputo International Music Festival 2009
> 03/06/08 - Virginia Opera presents Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor'
> 02/18/08 - Virginia Opera presents ‘Oh, Freedom!’ for every Richmond fourth-grader during Black History Month
> 02/18/08 - Virginia Opera presents ‘Oh, Freedom!’ to Norfolk students during Black History Month
> 01/10/08 - Virginia Opera presents Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin'
> 12/18/07 - Annual Opera gala in Norfolk will be a Russian delight
> 12/06/07 - From Russia with Love: Virginia Opera's Dazzling Northern Virginia Gala
> 10/15/07 - Virginia Opera swings into action with 'Pirates of Penzance'
> 10/08/07 - New president elected to lead Virginia Opera's Richmond board
> 10/03/07 - Student Nights return with four times the performances
> 09/06/07 - Maestro Mark issues statement on passing of Pavarotti
> 09/05/07 - Opera's lead tenor (a former Marine) to sing anthem at Freedom Walk
> 09/04/07 - Virginia Opera presents 'Tales of Hoffmann'
> 08/02/07 - Richmond company with Hollywood credits helps bring production to life
> 06/25/07 - Virginia Opera board elects first president from Richmond
> 06/20/07 - Opera tenors spread their wings on YouTube
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