The Virginia Arts Festival opened its 16th season last night at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk with the glorious Renée Fleming, in her only US recital this season. The Festival, which runs through June 28, presents a spectacular array of events, presenting more than 58 performances in venues throughout southeastern Virginia. Offering an unparalleled breadth of performances, from a rare stage performance by iconic actor Al Pacino and the matchless grace of American Ballet Theatre‘s Giselle to the unforgettable spectacle of the Virginia International Tattoo, the Festival is an enticing cultural destination for visitors from across the United States and around the world.
Also this season is Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand” with over 500 musicians under the under the baton of Virginia Symphony Music Director JoAnn Falletta; banjo legend Béla Fleck, reunited with the original Flecktones; while Randy Jackson and the Virginia Symphony join forces for a spectacular Music Of Pink Floyd, complete with laser light show. Only at the Virginia Arts Festival will you also find the Flying Proms Symphonic Air Show Spectacular, merging symphonic music with amazing maneuvers by vintage airplanes, and, in a magical day out for the whole family, Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals overtakes the Virginia Zoo, with music as the guide across 53 acres of enchanting zoo exhibits.
For a complete schedule and information about many more featured artists and performances, please see: www.vafest.org