Opera taps artistic advisor

The Virginia Opera has named Robin Thompson, former director of artistic administration at the New York City Opera, as its artistic advisor. Alan D. Albert, president-elect of the opera board, says Thompson will work with the company "for a limited time," Teresa Annas reports in The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk):

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/11/virginia-opera-hires-artistic-adviser

The Washington Post's Anne Midgette quotes a statement from Thompson, saying his role with the Virginia Opera will be "to offer a sense of stability to the casting and season planning process during the transition" following the dismissal of Peter Mark, the company's longtime artistic director:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/23/AR2010112306195.html