Bill Text: VA HR358 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Virginia Opera.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-21 - Bill text as passed House (HR358ER) [HR358 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HR358-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Virginia Opera, declared The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth by the General Assembly in 1994, celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2019; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Opera was established in 1974 in Norfolk and held its first full season in 1975 - 1976; the organization subsequently began productions in Richmond in 1978 and in Fairfax in 1992, performing consecutive seasons in these three locations ever since; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Opera is unique for providing a main stage season of opera in three different venues in three different cities, performing at the Edythe C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax; over the years, the Virginia Opera has demonstrated a wide and impressive repertory, performing classical and contemporary opera, works of American origin, and musical theater, including five original operas that were subsequently performed by other major opera companies; and
WHEREAS, along with its productions, the Virginia Opera has presented an education program in the Hampton Roads area for over 40 years and throughout the Commonwealth since the 1980s; this outreach effort brings educational operas into the schools, teaching Virginia youth about this important art form; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Opera's productions serve over 150,000 Virginians each season, and thousands more through their radio and television broadcasts, providing accessible, affordable, and edifying entertainment to the public; for its many accomplishments, the Virginia Opera was cited as a Bedrock Institution of the Commonwealth by the Virginia Commission for the Arts in 2018, recognizing its vital importance to the state's cultural and artistic life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Virginia Opera, the Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hereby be commended on the occasion of its 45th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Elisabeth M. Wollan, chair of the Virginia Opera board of directors, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's contributions to the Commonwealth.
