‘Tis the season of giving…and we have a definitive list of items opera fans will love this season. From the aficionado to the novice, from the young to young-at-heart, we have a little something for everyone.
Give the gift of excitement, education, culture, beauty and drama -- all in one small envelope! Virginia Opera Gift Certificates are the perfect gift for all music lovers. Gift certificates for any amount are available by calling our Box Office at 1.866.OPERA.VA. (We also have Holiday Packages featuring tickets to Camelot AND Carousel on our website at www.vaopera.org!)
She wowed audiences as Adele in our recent production of Die Fledermaus, and her holiday CD is sure to do the same. ‘Freshly minted arrangements of beloved traditional carols to the sparkling Baroque brilliance of Handel and Mozart. Sarah Jane McMahon is equally at home in the lofty heights of grand opera to the big band sound of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."’
Pay tribute to the incomparable baritone Dietrich Fisher-Dieskau (who passed away earlier this year) with the recently-released recording of his Christmas album. Fisher-Dieskau was once hailed as “the most influential singer of the 20th century” by The Guardian and will forever be synonymous with the German art song.
2013 marks the bicentennial of the births of both Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi – what better opportunity to learn about these giants of the opera world? With larger-than-life productions, orchestras and storylines, it’s easy to see how some might find Wagner’s operas intimidating, but don’t let those ideas scare you away. “Wagner Without Fear” takes readers step by step through plots, characters, and music for each of Wagner’s operas. For the seasoned Wagner fan, be sure to check out The Metropolitan Opera’s recently-released box set of Wagner’s The Ring of Nibelungen. Celebrate Verdi—the man and his music—with “Verdi with a Vengeance.” Verdi’s “hits” are some of the most recognizable (and loved) in the opera repertoire, including selections from Rigoletto, Aida, Falstaff and La traviata. Another big birthday in 2013 belongs to Benjamin Britten, who turns 100. Celebrate with the London Symphony Orchestra’s recording of his War Requiem, which features tenor Ian Bostridge and bass Simon Keenlyside and was named one of the Top Ten Classical Albums of 2012 by NPR.
The beautiful feature film of Lerner & Loewe’s popular musical was re-released on DVD earlier this year. Featuring Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero, Camelot (1967) will sweep you away with both the music and the love story. Bonus: After watching, you’ll be ready for our production next month!
With a flowing blue skirt to represent the waters of Sydney harbor and a bodice that mimicks Jorn Utzon’s famous sails, Barbie’s never looked better as one of the most recognized opera houses in the world! The collector doll came out last year as part of the Dolls of the World Landmark Collection. (Other dolls in the series portray Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.)
