I spent the day in Charlottesville, Virginia with the very talented cast of the Victory Hall Opera. I found them in a large space in an old church. The large room was furnished sparsely with a piano, a large plastic table and a lot folding chairs. The cast were sitting in a circle discussing the opera, while the pianist and stage manager waited in off to the side. Then the singing began. I cannot describe it in words or photos. I wish I had brought a audio recorder. Next time I will.
The Victory Hall Opera are based in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are a pioneering new opera company led by opera singers Miriam Gordon-Stewart (Artistic Director) and Brenda Patterson (Director of Music) and co-founded by Charlottesvillian opera director Maggie Bell. Miriam, Brenda and Maggie present a new model for what an opera company can be: not an institution, but a troupe. Please see more about them on their website Victory Hall Opera.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured from left to right: Sophie played by Janinah Burnett Pianist John Mayhood Composer Conrad Chu (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured: Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured from left to right: The Marschallin played by Miriam Gordon-Stewart Sophie played by Janinah Burnett Octavian played by Brenda Patterson (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured from left to right: Sophie played by Janinah Burnett Pianist John Mayhood (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured from left to right: Baron Ochs played by Matt Boehler Octavian played by Brenda Patterson (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured from left to right: Octavian played by Brenda Patterson Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA AUGUST 05, 2016 Victory Hall Opera rehearsal of Someone Younger (Der Rosenkavalier) on August 5, 2016. Pictured: Sophie played by Janinah Burnett (Photo by Deborah Jaffe for The Washington Post)
