Two BHM Events Related To VA Opera’s “Loving v. Virginia”

RICHMOND

In celebration of Black History Month, the Library of Virginia will present two free events in support of Virginia Opera’s world-premiere production of “Loving v. Virginia.” A legal panel discussion on Feb. 26 and a performance on March 5.  The opera premieres in Norfolk, Apr. 25 and 27; in Fairfax, May 3 and 4; and in Richmond, May 9, 10, and 11.

“Loving v. Virginia” is based on the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving, a young couple from Central Point, Virginia, who were criminally charged for their interracial marriage in 1958 and forced to leave the state to avoid prison sentences. The Lovings took their case to the Supreme Court and won a landmark victory for Civil Rights in the United States. Co-commissioned by Virginia Opera and the Richmond Symphony and directed by Denyce Graves, “Loving v. Virginia” features music by Damien Geter and libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo.

“We are proud to partner with Virginia Opera  to present important Black History events in support of this ground breaking production,” said Librarian of Virginia Dennis T. Clark.

“Virginia Opera is excited to be partnering with such a prestigious institution as the Library of Virginia this season to help promote this world-premiere production and showcase the intersectionality of art and history,” said Karen T. Federing, Virginia Opera’s director of civic engagement. “The Library is the perfect venue to encourage audiences to engage in these important conversations about Black history in the state and the nation.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m., the Library and Virginia Opera will present “The Constitution and ‘Loving v. Virginia,’” a legal panel discussion exploring the origins, challenges and significance of the 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruling that struck down state laws banning marriage between individuals of different races. Danielle Wingfield, assistant professor of law at the University of Richmond, will moderate a discussion with Mary Bauer, executive director of ACLU-VA; Kim Forde-Mazrui, Professor, University of Virginia; and author Peter Wallenstein, a Professor, Virginia Tech. A brief Q&A session will follow the discussion. Registration is required at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/13375580.

The Library of Virginia continues its Black History Month celebration on March 5 at 2 p.m. with a performance of “A Loving Community,” an educational touring program commissioned by Virginia Opera featuring music and history relevant to the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

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Excerpts from the world-premiere opera “Loving v. Virginia,” co-commissioned by the Richmond Symphony, will be performed by Virginia Opera’s four Emerging Artists with piano accompaniment.

A set of traveling display panels created by the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will accompany the production to enhance the understanding of the historical context that led to this significant decision and its impact on the larger 20th- and 21st-century American Civil Rights landscape.

Registration for the Library of Virginia events is required at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/13801161.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.vaopera.org or contact the Virginia Opera Box Office at (866) 673-7282.