THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, October 20, 1994             TAG: 9410200013
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A16  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   48 lines

VIRGINIA OPERA IS SINGING INTO ITS 20TH SEASON

Opera is a timeless and universal art. It has communicated a profound sense of community and shared human experience through centuries and across national borders and with an emotional impact that only this powerful combination of music with drama can provide.

Our basic operatic repertoire has already withstood the test of time and, unlike the passing fads and fashions of more commercial theater and music, will most certainly survive and outlive even the most magnificent theaters we erect and refurbish around the world for their presentation.

Moreover, a particularly important and exciting part of our mission is to create new works for this glorious and serious tradition.

Virginia Opera's 20th season begins this fall. As my own 20-year tenure here coincides with the celebration, I am grateful to our extraordinary board and professional staff, along with our many donors and friends and the city of Norfolk, for their vital role in creating and nourishing this acclaimed and flourishing statewide company.

Together, we have built the largest and most steadily growing performing-arts organization in the commonwealth. We service multiple communities with a richly varied operatic repertory and a unique array of educational programs.

During our upcoming 20th Anniversary Season, our beautiful home, the Edythe C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House, will launch new revivals of our initial two operas presented 20 years ago, Verdi's ``La Traviata'' and Puccini's ``La Boheme,'' both masterworks from the second half of the last century, as well as our very first productions of works from the beginning and end of our own century, Strauss' ``Salome'' (1905) and Thea Musgrave's ``Simon Bolivar,'' our world premiere here in January, which is sure to draw the international opera world to our community once again.

Those who still haven't experienced what all the singing is about are welcome to join those who have for this anniversary season. We provide simultaneous translations of the text during the performances, opera guides and informative media and press features to prepare you in advance, as well as the universal language of music and a glorious new opera house!

PETER MARK

Norfolk, Oct. 14, 1994 by CNB