Virginia Opera 2007-08

The Virginia Opera will stage Tchaikovsky’s "Eugene Onegin," its first production of the work and its first Russian opera, next season. Also scheduled are Offenbach’s "The Tales of Hoffmann," Donizetti’s "Lucia di Lammermoor" and the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta "The Pirates of Penzance."

"The Tales of Hoffmann," starring the French soprano Manon Strauss Evrard and the Turkish bass Burak Bilgili and directed by Lillian Groag, runs Sept. 28-Oct. 7 (five performances) at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, Oct. 12 and 14 at the Center for the Arts, George Mason University, in Fairfax, and Oct. 19 and 21 at the Landmark Theater in Richmond.

"The Pirates of Penzance," directed by William Theisen with a cast to be announced, runs Nov. 9-18 in Norfolk, Nov. 23 and 25 in Richmond and Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 in Fairfax.

"Eugene Onegin," starring the Russian soprano Veronica Mitina and the American baritone Michael Todd Simpson and directed by Julia Pevzner, runs Feb. 8-17 in Norfolk, Feb. 22 and 24 in Fairfax and Feb. 29 and March 2 in Richmond.

"Lucia di Lammermoor," starring Evrard and the Spanish tenor Israel Lozano and directed by Dorothy Danner, runs March 28-April 6 in Norfolk, April 11 and 13 in Richmond and April 18 and 20 in Fairfax.

Peter Mark, the Virginia Opera’s artistic director, will conduct all but "Pirates," which will be led by Joseph Walsh, the company’s associate conductor.

Subscriptions are $99-$351 in Norfolk, $81-$297 in Richmond.

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www.vaopera.org