Virginia Opera unveils its 2026-27 lineup, from a doomed clown to a fire-breathing dragon

Virginia Opera has locked in the singers for its 2026-27 season, and the casting sheet reads like a study in contrasts: a soprano fresh off Vienna State Opera stages next to performers the company grew from scratch. That’s kind of the point. Across three productions, the company is leaning hard into a formula that’s worked for it before: put international names next to its own Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists and let the results speak for themselves.

“This season will feature the thrilling Virginia Opera mainstage debuts of several internationally acclaimed artists while also showcasing the exceptional up-and-coming talent represented by our Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists,” said Adam Turner, the company’s artistic director and chief conductor. “Grandeur and spectacle, a family-friendly fairytale, and a high-stakes emotional rollercoaster — audiences will experience world-class performances from some of the finest singers in opera today.”

The season runs across the company’s usual three homes: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond’s Dominion Energy Center, and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax.

Pagliacci opens the season in November

Leoncavallo’s tragedy about a traveling theater troupe kicks things off, and the role of Nedda is splitting between two sopranos depending on the night. Kathryn Lewek, an internationally recognized name making her Virginia Opera debut, sings Nedda for the Norfolk run and the first Richmond performance (Nov. 6, 8 and 13). Sarah Tucker, who audiences here will remember as Micaela in Carmen, picks it up for the second Richmond show and both Fairfax dates (Nov. 15, 21 and 22).

Tenor Zach Borichevsky, coming off a well-received turn as Don José in Carmen, returns as Canio. Baritone Kidon Choi makes his company debut as Tonio, bringing a resume that includes San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. Hunter Enoch, once a Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist himself, comes back as Silvio after building a career that’s included Washington National Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Current Emerging Artist Carlos Ahrens rounds out the cast as Beppe.

Kyle Lang, whose most recent Virginia Opera production was 2026’s Intelligence, directs, with Turner conducting and Steven C. Kemp — also carrying over from Intelligence — handling scenic design.

An all-emerging-artist cast for Hansel and Gretel

This one’s a statement piece for the company’s development program: every principal role goes to a current Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist. Soprano Maggie Kinabrew stars as Gretel opposite mezzo-soprano Melanie Dubil as Hansel. Lindsey Polcyn takes on the double duty of Gertrude and the Witch, Joel Clemens sings Peter, and Nia Spaulding covers both the Dew Fairy and the Sandman.

These are singers who’ve already spent time at places like Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the Glimmerglass Festival, Sarasota Opera, Central City Opera and Boston Baroque — so “emerging” doesn’t mean untested. It’s a smart pairing of a beloved, family-friendly opera with performers the company is actively investing in.

Stephanie Havey makes her Virginia Opera directing debut with this production. Brandon Eldredge, who serves as the company’s director of emerging artists, associate conductor and chorus master, conducts. Kemp again designs the sets.

Turandot closes things out with the big voices

Puccini’s Turandot is the kind of opera that demands sheer vocal firepower, and the casting reflects that. Alexandra LoBianco makes her Virginia Opera debut in the title role, arriving with credits from the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Seattle Opera. Tenor Samuel White, who impressed at last season’s company gala, makes his mainstage debut as Calaf — he’s fresh off winning the George London Award, one of opera’s more prestigious prizes for young singers, and has already sung both Calaf and Canio elsewhere.

Symone Harcum takes on Liù. She’s a former Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist herself, and she’s built a career since then with Opera Philadelphia and Minnesota Opera. Bass Kevin Thompson, back after last season’s Intelligence, sings Timur, a role he’s known for. David Blalock, another former Emerging Artist, returns as Pong after more than a decade of appearances with the company alongside an ongoing career at the Met. The imperial court rounds out with current Emerging Artists Joel Clemens as Ping, Carlos Ahrens as Pang, Yichen Xue as A Mandarin and Xiaojie Ji as Emperor Altoum.

Kyle Lang returns to direct, reuniting with the company after Pagliacci earlier in the season. Turner conducts, and Kemp designs the sets for a third production this season.

More details on the 2026-27 season, including tickets and full performance schedules, are available at vaopera.org.