2008-2009 Virginia Opera Season in Review

Posted May 4, 2009

Verdi's "Il Trovatore"

Virginia Opera’s season-opening “Il Trovatore” is a milestone: 
Artistic Director Peter Mark’s 100th production in 34 seasons. As Mark’s conducting  propelled the music with feverish intensity Friday night, stage director Lillian Groag went all out to make Verdi’s over-the-top melodrama memorable... 

Jeniece Golbourne was a standout as Azucena, her mezzo-soprano having near-contralto richness in her obsessive revenge
aria, “Stride la vampa,” and charming warmth in “Ai nostri monti.”
-MARK J. ESTREN, WASHINGTON POST (Oct. 20, 2008)

The Virginia Opera’s season-opening production of “Il Trovatore” is a consistently gripping piece of Italianate musical melodrama – strikingly staged, boasting a stellar tenor in Gustavo López Manzitti and a super-stellar mezzo-soprano in Jeniece Golbourne, and conducted with gratifying turbulence and pathos by Peter Mark.
-CLARKE BUSTARD, LETTER V (RICHMOND - Oct. 25, 2008)

Lillian Groag directed the new production, which successfully brought out the work’s somber intensity and largely clarified the occasionally confusing plot.
-PAUL SAYEGH, THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT (Oct. 5, 2008)

Donizetti is well-served by Virginia Opera’s effort The Virginia Opera’s production of Gaetano Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love” brought together excellent singing and acting in a clever visual setting for a thoroughly enjoyable opening Friday at the Harrison Opera House.
-LEE TEPLY, THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT (Nov. 16, 2008)

When the curtain rises, those ubiquitous operatic happy peasants set the tone for this delightful comedy about the sweet mysteries of love. Thanks to director Dorothy Danner the stage pulses with life. She takes each and every one of those peasants and soldiers and gives him or her a specific character. Then she arranges them in compositions worthy of a master painter. She does the same with the principals...This Danner dish of delight is robust and full bodied like a good Italian red.
-EDGAR LOESSIN, LOESSIN AT LARGE, WHRO (Nov. 15, 2008)

Stealing the stage was baritone Todd Robinson in the snake oil salesman character of Dr. Dulcamara. In his third production with Virginia Opera, Robinson had a dream role that allows for a bit of drama, a lot of comedic interpretation and some pretty demanding vocalizing.
-WALT AMACKER, RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH (Nov. 30, 2008)

Joseph Walsh, the company’s associate conductor, led a nicely animated performance by members of Hampton Roads’ Virginia Symphony... 
 -CLARKE BUSTARD, LETTER V (RICHMOND - Nov. 29, 2008)

Puccini's "Tosca"

Virginia Opera’s “Tosca” is a real triumph for this company: good, old-fashioned, sumptuously costumed grand opera the way plenty of opera goers like it — not the kind of cheap, minimalist production that has become fashionable in recent years. Add this to great singing, and you have a production that’s well worth the price of admission even in these recessionary times.

The real surprise of the evening was soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams in the title role... during the opening weekend in
Norfolk, she blew the Harrison Opera House audience away with her dynamic, expressive instrument.
- T.L. PONICK, THE WASHINGTON TIMES (Feb. 13, 2009)
 
In his debut production with Virginia Opera, stage director Marc Astafan delivered a Tosca which riveted and shocked even those familiar with the show... This fresh face in the rarefied world of operatic stage direction is the future of opera.

In one of the most role-commanding debuts in recent memory, soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams became the passionate, yet devout singer Floria Tosca. With soaring notes of raw power and pianissimos which floated like petals on a pond, Williams seemed to be channeling Maria Callas....
-B. J. ATKINSON, PORT FOLIO WEEKLY (Feb. 10, 2009)

Baritone Stephen Kechulius seems born to be Scarpia. When he came on stage in Act I, even before opening his mouth, he exuded evil... He’s also got a splendid, rounded, also luxurious voice that rings in the rafters.
-JOHN SHULSON, THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE (Feb. 3, 2009)

Virginia Opera ends season on a high note
-WALT AMACKER, RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH (Feb. 22, 2009)

I found this production to be light, lively, colorful and fun, with the orchestra performing at the top of its game under conductor and artistic director Peter Mark.
- T.L. PONICK, THE WASHINGTON TIMES (Feb. 13, 2009)

Rossini's "The Barber of Seville"

The stage antics were dominated by baritone Jason Detwiler as Figaro, who sang and acted with an energy and naturalness that was as endearing as it was note-worthy. He clearly had the audience in the palm of his hand right from the start ...”
-PAUL SAYEGH, THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT (Mar. 15, 2009)

Virginia Opera finished out its 08-09 season with a very huggable production of “The Barber of Seville”...

Soprano Manon Strauss Evrard again swept us away with her beauty, ease of stage and vocal movement, and brilliant coloratura as the coquette Rosina.

Bass-baritone Steven Condy was pure joy to watch – and listen to – as Dr. Bartolo...
-B.J. ATKINSON, PORTFOLIOWEEKLY.COM (Mar. 18, 2009)

Manon Strauss Evrard, a soprano with a wonderfully operatic name and commanding stage presence, can be so fizzy that she effervesces. As Rosina, she practically bubbled over in Virginia Opera’s vibrant “Barber of Seville”...
-MARK J. ESTREN, WASHINGTON POST (Apr. 9, 2009)

Download and print the 2008-2009 Virginia Opera Season in Review

Other News Items

> 09/09/10 - Sat 9/11: Opera in the Park
> 09/02/10 - ABC's on Operagasm
> 08/26/10 - [Video] Opera in the Park on TV-48
> 08/18/10 - Tickets on Sale Today!
> 08/18/10 - Opera in the Park on Sept 11
> 08/14/10 - Opera in the Park on TV-48
> 08/13/10 - Bravissimo Society's 1st Vocal Competition
> 08/10/10 - Better Seats @ Better Prices: Buy Early!
> 08/09/10 - Doc Opera is Back but still Bloggy
> 08/05/10 - Ticket Sales Update
> 06/29/10 - July 4th Weekend: Offices Closed
> 06/24/10 - We Can't Stop Him!
> 06/22/10 - The Music Never Stops
> 06/16/10 - Blog: Dr. Glenn Winters' Roman Adventure
> 05/28/10 - Memorial Day Hours
> 05/25/10 - 2010-2011 Brochure Download
> 05/11/10 - Tweet all day long!
> 05/11/10 - You're Invited: Opera America Wagner Course
> 05/03/10 - Porgy and Bess: Pre-opera Chat
> 04/27/10 - Carpenter Theatre Box Office Hours
> 04/07/10 - Podcast Dr. Glenn - It's So Cool!
> 04/01/10 - Porgy and Bess on Another View
> 03/12/10 - Porgy and Bess Sunday Matinee Added
> 02/12/10 - The Don offers Hot Ticket!
> 02/05/10 - Cabin Fever? Get WINTERized!
> 02/05/10 - Be a Facebook Fan!
> 02/04/10 - Kevin Paasch on 850AM WTAR
> 01/20/10 - Vissi D'arte - Feb 14th
> 01/15/10 - Don Giovanni in Veer
> 01/15/10 - Dr. MLK Jr Ticket Sale!
> 01/15/10 - Arts in Denim: Tonight
> 01/12/10 - Glenn Winters on WTAR - Wed Night!
> 01/05/10 - Arts in Denim: Party on Stage
> 12/30/09 - New Years Day (1/1/10): Offices Closed, Buy Tickets & Donate Online
> 12/23/09 - Glenn Winters & Jeff Corriveau on 970AM WNIS
> 12/23/09 - Offices Closed for Holiday: 12/24 - 12/27
> 12/14/09 - The Gift of Opera: Gift Certificates
> 12/02/09 - WCVE-FM 'Daughter' Opera Talk online
> 11/25/09 - Thanksgiving (11/26/09): Offices Closed but Tickets available Online
> 11/24/09 - Black Friday Savings
> 11/24/09 - Virginians for the Arts on YouTube feat. Va. Opera
> 11/20/09 - Reminder: Membership Cards for Donors
> 11/14/09 - The Daughter of the Regiment opens Saturday in Norfolk
> 11/13/09 - Virginia Opera is open!
> 11/13/09 - RESCHEDULED: SNATO Dress Rehearsal for The Daughter of the Regiment
> 11/12/09 - CANCELLED: SNATO Dress Rehearsal for The Daughter of the Regiment
> 11/11/09 - Ask Our Experts! Glenn & Diane on WTAR (Norfolk)
> 11/10/09 - Voices from Backstage - Daughter Artists & Directors
> 11/06/09 - Virginia Opera & Cirque du Soleil's Alegria: Operatic Perfection
> 10/28/09 - Membership Cards for Donors
> 10/20/09 - Glenn Winters on WCVE-FM (Richmond)
> 10/12/09 - Carpenter Theatre: "La Bohème" Doors Open Early
> 10/11/09 - SOLD OUT: Norfolk's Sunday of La Bohème
> 10/09/09 - [Video] See the Success of Puccini's La Bohème
> 10/05/09 - Taste of Opera - Tonight at Fellini's (Norfolk, Va)
> 10/01/09 - Maestro Mark's Musings Blog
> 09/30/09 - SNATO for La Bohème in Norfolk is Sold Out!
> 09/29/09 - Meet the Experts! on 850AM WTAR (Norfolk)
> 09/23/09 - Peter Mark on WVEC-TV
> 08/25/09 - Richmond CenterStage Grand Opening!
> 06/16/09 - Virginia Opera Board Elects New President
> 06/08/09 - Virginia Opera's ‘OPERA FOR EVERYONE!’ free June 14th concert
> 04/17/09 - Maestro Peter Mark & Artists Perform at Maputo International Music Festival 2009
> 03/06/09 - The Barber of Seville is selling FAST!!!
> 02/25/09 - Special Note for The Barber of Seville postcard recipients
> 02/18/09 - Tosca is Hot, Hot, Hot!!!
> 02/06/09 - Valentine's Day Special through February 16th
> 02/22/08 - [VIDEO] Educating students during Black History Month ... through Opera
> 02/07/08 - A REAL love story at Virginia Opera!
> 01/30/08 - [VIDEO] Voices from 'Eugene Onegin'
> 01/23/08 - Our first Russian Opera
> 01/01/08 - [VIDEO] Interview with our Tatiana
> 12/02/07 - Give the gift of Opera for the holidays
> 11/20/07 - Pirates of Penzance: performances of hilarious production are selling out
> 11/07/07 - [VIDEO] Pirates of Penzance
> 11/05/07 - Extended box office hours make buying 'Pirates' tickets even easier
> 11/01/07 - Tonight in Norfolk: L'OPera at La Galleria
> 10/22/07 - Pirates have taken over Norfolk!
> 10/16/07 - Final performances of 'Hoffmann' in Richmond this weekend, see what the critics are saying!
> 10/04/07 - Virginia Opera ... on The Simpsons?
> 10/03/07 - An interview with Hoffmann
> 09/27/07 - Tales of Hoffmann: video and more
> 09/21/07 - Listen to Virginia Opera for free
> 09/13/07 - Swashbuckling @ the Opera (Friday, September 14 in Norfolk)
> 09/06/07 - The passing of an opera legend
> 08/08/07 - 'Hoffmann' soprano getting rave reviews
> 08/06/07 - New 'Hoffmann' set gets a Hollywood touch
> 07/28/07 - Summer listening suggestions
> 07/26/07 - Beat the seating rush!
> 06/25/07 - Virginia Opera board elects first president from Richmond
> 06/20/07 - Opera tenors spread wings on YouTube
> 05/02/07 - Listen to Virginia Opera's newest discovery (Sunday, May 6)!
> 04/23/07 - Pirates at Family Day this weekend!
> 04/02/07 - THE 2007-2008 SEASON
> 03/07/07 - [VIDEO] Sneak preview of Cav/Pag!
> 02/09/07 - NEWS & REVIEWS: Agrippina
> 02/05/07 - New children's opera brings Virginia history to life through music
> 01/25/07 - Agrippina makes the MOST WANTED list
> 01/24/07 - [VIDEO] Sneak preview of Agrippina!
> 11/09/06 - [VIDEO] Sneak preview of Susannah
> 10/18/06 - First Student Night at the Opera in Richmond is a smash-hit!
> 09/28/06 - [VIDEO] Sneak preview of Carmen!
> 07/12/06 - Major step forward for Virgnia Opera's new associate conductor
> 02/03/06 - [VIDEO] Figar-WHOA! Kids enjoy opera?