THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 13, 1994 TAG: 9410130523
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK MOBLEY, MUSIC CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Peter Mark's new right-hand man is from the orchestral world, not the operatic one. The new general manager of Virginia Opera is Russell P. Allen, vice president and general manager of the Phoenix Symphony.
Allen, 42, is second in command at the $5.2 million orchestra, overseeing daily operations, marketing and long-range planning. He will join the opera company Dec. 5.
Mark, Virginia Opera's general director, said Allen was chosen ``after a very careful search and screening out hundreds of candidates. . . . He is an outstanding individual and a talented administrator.''
Allen replaces Kenneth Freeman, who has been Virginia Opera's general manager since 1991. He has been appointed general director of Opera Hamilton in Ontario, Canada.
``What impressed me,'' Allen said Wednesday, ``was I found Virginia Opera to be fiscally sound, with good budget controls already in place.
``What really impressed me was the outreach, the fact that it is a regional company that performs regularly in other parts of the state.'' Allen said he and Mark had discussed long-range plans for adding performances in the region and abroad.
Allen joined the Phoenix Symphony as orchestra manager - an operations position - and artistic administrator in 1986. He became vice president in 1989. He said his accomplishments include increasing ticket sales and public funding.
``His management style is one of quiet efficiency and is backed by knowledge and an uncanny ability to avoid confrontation through compromise,'' The Arizona Republic newspaper said last year.
Allen was born in Washington and grew up in McLean, Va. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in music and English from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. He has also served as orchestra manager of the San Antonio Symphony and the Houston Symphony. In Houston, he developed close ties with administrators of Houston Grand Opera and ``a lasting love for opera.''
Allen is also involved in a number of civic projects, ranging from the arts to business. He chairs a citizens board for a historic area in Phoenix. His hobbies include bridge and bicycling.
He is arriving in Norfolk today for the opening of ``La traviata'' and plans to attend a lecture by literary critic Toril Moi at 7:30 p.m. at the Harrison Opera House. MEMO: Virginia Opera opens its 20th season with "La traviata"/E1
ILLUSTRATION: Allen
by CNB