Arts funding to support opera about Loving court case
Free Press staff report | 2/23/2023, 6 p.m.
The Virginia Commission for the Arts has announced a special recognition grant of $15,000 per year for three consecutive years that will support Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony’s newly commissioned opera, “Loving v. Virginia.”
The opera will tell the story of the 1967 United States Supreme Court case centered around the interracial marriage of Mildred and Richard Loving. Composer Damien Geter and librettist Jessica Murphy Moo have been commissioned to create the opera that will premiere in venues throughout Virginia in 2025.
“The Virginia Commission for the Arts is thrilled to invest in this story of, by and for Virginians,” VCA’s Executive Director Margaret Hancock said during a Jan. 23 award ceremony. “Through the ‘Loving v. Virginia’ opera, the Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony are innovating in the arts while bringing an important part of our history to a broad audience.”
In accepting the award, Peggy Kriha Dye, the general director and CEO of Virginia Opera, said the VCA grant was “a testament to the importance of the story, and to the artistic quality of both [Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony].”
“‘Loving v. Virginia’ promises to impact our communities in very positive ways.” Richmond Symphony Executive Director Lacey Huszcza added. “Over the course of the development of this new work, we will have the opportunity to engage the public with this important Virginia story.”
