THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411110012
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
More than 15,000 opera fans turned out for ``La Traviata,'' the first production of Virginia Opera's 20th season. Some 7,500 attended the five performances of Verdi's masterpiece at Norfolk's handsome Harrison Opera House and 7,600 attended the four sold-out out-of-town performances, two in Richmond and two at George Mason University in Fairfax.
The multitudes who have never experienced opera first hand, as well as the considerable numbers who have and didn't like it, doubtless are puzzled by opera's fascination for those who flock to it. The incomprehension of those who shun opera perhaps equals the puzzlement of the many immune to the charms of rock music and muck at Woodstocks 1 and 2.
But different strokes for different folks: To general astonishment in Hampton Roads, a region where opera had been, at best, a sometime thing, Virginia Opera was a smashing artistic and fiscal success from its birth.
Which was at the Center Theater, half of the concrete-block structure near the Chrysler Museum that served as a USO for armed-forces personnel during World War II. The Center, following a multimillion-dollar transformation, is now the Harrison.
Puccini's ``La Boheme'' was the initial Virginia Opera offering. ``La Traviata'' was its second, with the exceptionally energetic and able Peter Mark conducting the orchestra. Maestro Mark, who is Virginia Opera's general manager, quickly became a familiar presence in the pit, where he conducted the latest ``Traviata.''
Among the company's enviable achievements are world and U.S. premieres of operas by composer Thea Musgrave, whose latest work, ``Simon Bolivar,'' will soon debut at the Harrison; presentations of Gershwin's ``Porgy and Bess'' in three Latin-American countries; and the showcasing of dazzling young singers who enhanced their careers by performing in Virginia.
Virginia Opera, its budget bigger than ever, is as ``in'' now as it was when it burst unexpectedly upon the Hampton Roads arts scene. Along with the Virginia Symphony, the Chrysler Museum and the Virginia Stage Company, it enriches that scene immensely.
More than 15,000 opera fans turned out for ``La Traviata,'' the first production of Virginia Opera's 20th season. Some 7,500 attended the five performances of Verdi's masterpiece at Norfolk's handsome Harrison Opera House and 7,600 attended the four sold-out out-of-town performances, two in Richmond and two at George Mason University in Fairfax.
Multitudes who have never experienced opera first hand, as well as considerable numbers who have and didn't like it, doubtless are puzzled by opera's fascination for the millions who flock to it. The puzzlement of those who shun opera perhaps equals the incomprehension of the many who are immune to the charms of rock music and muck at Woodstocks 1 and 2.
But different strokes for different folks: To general astonishment in Hampton Roads, a region where opera had been, at best, a sometime thing, Virginia Opera was a smashing artistic and fiscal success from its birth.
Which was at the Center Theater, half of the concrete-block structure near the Chrysler Museum that served as a USO for armed-forces personnel during World War II. The Center, following a multimillion-dollar transformation, is now the Harrison.
Puccini's ``La Boheme'' was the initial Virginia Opera offering. ``La Traviata'' was its second, with the exceptionally energetic and able Peter Mark conducting the orchestra. Maestro Mark, who is Virginia Opera's general manager, quickly became a familiar presence in the pit, where he conducted the latest ``Traviata.''
Among the company's enviable achievements are world and U.S. premieres of operas by composer Thea Musgrave, whose latest work, ``Simon Bolivar,'' will soon debut at the Harrison; presentations of Gershwin's ``Porgy and Bess'' in three Latin-American countries; and the showcasing of dazzling young singers who enhanced their careers by performing in Virginia.
Virginia Opera, its budget bigger than ever, is as ``in'' now as it was when it burst unexpectedly upon the Hampton Roads arts scene. Along with the Virginia Symphony, the Chrysler Museum and the Virginia Stage Company, it enriches that scene immensely. by CNB