Virginia Opera
Virginia Opera is the official non-profit opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, performing full-scale professional productions at three mainstage venues in Norfolk, Richmond, and Fairfax, while running the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program and statewide educational outreach.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersNorfolk, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Virginia Opera does
Virginia Opera is a non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1974 and designated as the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It produces full-scale professional opera performances at three permanent mainstage venues: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. The core product is mainstage opera repertoire spanning classics (Don Giovanni, Carmen, Aida, La Traviata, Madama Butterfly) and contemporary works, including world premieres such as Loving v. Virginia (co-commissioned with the Richmond Symphony in January 2025).
The company's technology footprint is limited to Tessitura for ticketing and payment processing, with a standard digital presence (vaopera.org, social channels) for marketing and audience engagement. Its talent pipeline is anchored by the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program, which receives over 700 national applications annually, and complemented by educational outreach including Opera in the Classroom touring productions (notably Dragon's Breath, winner of the 2024 American Prize in Composition), Student Night at the Opera, and Virtually Amazing Opera programming.
Revenue is generated through four primary streams: ticket sales (single tickets and season subscriptions starting at $75), donations and individual giving (annual fund, monthly giving, planned giving), corporate and foundation sponsorships (Altria, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Herndon Foundation, Arts Alliance, City of Norfolk, Virginia Commission for the Arts), and VAO Membership dues. The company is governed by a statewide Board of Directors with regional representation, and is led by General Director and CEO John-Paul Schaefer (effective July 1, 2025) and Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Adam Turner (contract extended through 2027-2028).
Virginia Opera firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Virginia Opera
- Legal name
- Virginia Opera
- Website
- https://vaopera.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Virginia Opera is the official non-profit opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, performing full-scale professional productions at three mainstage venues in Norfolk, Richmond, and Fairfax, while running the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program and statewide educational outreach.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Virginia Opera industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Opera and Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Opera & Operetta (MPAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG)
Keywords
Where Virginia Opera is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Norfolk
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Virginia Opera business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets and season subscriptions for opera performances across three Virginia venues
- Donations and Individual Giving: Annual fund donations, monthly giving programs, and planned giving options for individual supporters
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from organizations including Altria, Arts Alliance, Carpenter Foundation, Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Herndon Foundation, and others
- VAO Membership: Annual membership program with donor benefits including priority seating and exclusive events
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full Season Subscriptions starting at $75 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual performance tickets |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Family 4-packs with discounted pricing |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Complimentary tickets for government shutdown affected individuals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Virginia Opera product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Virginia Opera produces and presents full-scale professional opera performances at three mainstage venues across Virginia (Norfolk, Richmond, Fairfax), including classical repertoire such as Don Giovanni, Carmen, Aida, and La Traviata, alongside commissioned world premieres such as Loving v. Virginia. Its core offering is augmented by the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program for talent development, educational touring productions like Dragon's Breath, community programs (Tunes & Tales!, Virtually Amazing Opera), and season subscriptions/VAO Membership access packages.
Product overview
Virginia Opera is the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, performing regularly at three mainstage venues (Norfolk, Richmond, Fairfax). The organization operates as a unified performing arts company offering full-scale opera productions as its core product, supplemented by the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program for talent development, and comprehensive education and community outreach including Opera in the Classroom with productions like Dragon's Breath, Student Night at the Opera, and virtual programming. The company also produces commissioned world premieres including Loving v. Virginia and presents contemporary works alongside classical repertoire.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program: A prestigious training program for opera's rising stars that provides performance opportunities, mentorship, and professional development.
Products and services
- Mainstage Opera Productions Full-scale professional opera productions performed at three mainstage venues across Virginia: Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Productions include classical operas such as Don Giovanni, Carmen, Aida, La Traviata, Madama Butterfly, and contemporary works. Targeted at general opera audiences across Virginia.
- Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program Prestigious training program for opera's rising stars providing performance opportunities, mentorship, and professional development. One of the most competitive programs in the nation, receiving over 700 applicants annually. Participants appear in mainstage productions and educational programs. Sponsored by the Herndon Foundation.
- Opera in the Classroom Educational touring program bringing professional, age-appropriate opera performances to schools statewide. Includes productions like Dragon's Breath (winner of American Prize in Composition 2024) and Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, plus discussions and masterclass sessions with Virginia Opera professionals. Targeted at K-12 schools and students.
- Student Night at the Opera Program designed to enhance accessibility and community impact of live opera experiences for students, families, and community groups with discounted pricing.
- Season Subscriptions Season subscription packages providing access to all mainstage productions across the three Virginia venues, starting at $75 for the 2024-2025 season. Annual billing cadence.
- VAO Membership Membership program offering benefits to supporters of Virginia Opera, including priority access, discounts, and special events. Annual recurring program.
- Virtually Amazing Opera Virtual programming bringing opera content to remote audiences through online platforms, expanding geographic reach beyond physical venues.
- Tunes & Tales! Community program for children and families featuring musical storytelling and opera introductions. Targeted at young audiences and families.
- Variations Series Chamber music performances and intimate opera presentations featuring emerging artists from the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program.
Quantifiable outcome
- 67% first-time patrons for Commonwealth premiere of Fellow Travelers
Companies that use Virginia Opera
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Virginia Opera technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Virginia Opera partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Richmond SymphonycoreCo-commission and co-production partner for Loving v. Virginia world premiere; ongoing collaboration for orchestral performances and community programming including Building a Loving Community initiative
- Library of VirginiacoreCollaboration for Black History Month events and Civil War espionage programming around Intelligence opera, including panel discussions and educational presentations
- Virginia Symphony OrchestracoreOrchestral partner providing musicians for performances including Don Giovanni production
- Opera AmericaminorNational service organization for opera companies
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Virginia Opera competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Houston Grand Opera: One of the largest US regional opera companies, with extensive commissioning, an acclaimed resident artist program, and a broader repertoire and budget. Comparable in mission and offerings, but larger and more diversified than Virginia Opera.
Direct peers
- Florida Grand Opera: Regional opera company serving Miami and Fort Lauderdale with multi-venue seasons and artist training programs. Comparable in scale, repertoire breadth, and educational/community engagement model.
- Minnesota Opera: Regional opera company with a strong new-works commissioning track record (recent world premieres) and robust artist training program. Comparable in commissioning appetite and education-driven audience development.
- Pittsburgh Opera: Regional opera company with multiple mainstage productions, educational programs (student matinees, artist training), and a comparable mid-size operating budget. Directly comparable in scale and audience development approach.
- Opera Philadelphia: Mid-size regional opera company known for championing new works and contemporary American opera, with comparable commissioned-world-premiere activity. Similar nonprofit structure, subscription model, and educational outreach scope.
- Lyric Opera of Kansas City: Mid-size regional opera company with multiple mainstage productions per season and educational/resident artist programs. Closely comparable in scale, headcount range, and operational footprint.
- North Carolina Opera: Regional opera company serving North Carolina with a similar multi-city venue model (Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte). Comparable in scale, repertoire, and educational programming, operating in an adjacent Southeastern US state.
- Atlanta Opera: Regional opera company serving the Atlanta metro with multi-production seasons and community/education programs. Comparable in repertoire, fundraising-based nonprofit model, and emerging-artists development approach.
- Washington National Opera: Regional opera company serving the Washington DC metro area with multiple mainstage productions per season. Comparable in mission, repertoire mix, and educational outreach, and geographically adjacent to Virginia Opera's Northern Virginia catchment.
Others
- Opera America: National service organization for the US opera field, listed by Virginia Opera as an industry partner. Provides industry research, advocacy, and professional development that directly supports companies like Virginia Opera.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Virginia Opera social profiles
Digital presenceVirginia Opera compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Virginia Opera financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Virginia Opera leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Virginia Opera funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Virginia Opera M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Virginia Opera
What does Virginia Opera do?
Virginia Opera produces and presents full-scale professional opera performances at three mainstage venues across Virginia (Norfolk, Richmond, Fairfax), including classical repertoire such as Don Giovanni, Carmen, Aida, and La Traviata, alongside commissioned world premieres such as Loving v. Virginia. Its core offering is augmented by the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program for talent development, educational touring productions like Dragon's Breath, community programs (Tunes & Tales!, Virtually Amazing Opera), and season subscriptions/VAO Membership access packages.
Is Virginia Opera a public or private company?
Virginia Opera is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Virginia Opera founded?
Virginia Opera was founded in 1974. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Virginia Opera based?
Virginia Opera is headquartered in Norfolk, United States, in the North America region.
How does Virginia Opera make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Individual Giving, sponsorships and VAO Membership.
Who are Virginia Opera's main competitors?
Houston Grand Opera is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Florida Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, North Carolina Opera, Atlanta Opera and Washington National Opera. Opera America is listed as an others.
Does Virginia Opera have an API?
No public API is recorded for Virginia Opera.
What industry is Virginia Opera in?
Virginia Opera's product category is Opera and Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAF, Opera & Operetta, with a secondary code of MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking). Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.