Editing Norfolk, Virginia (section)

=== Performing arts ===
[[File:Harrison operahouse.jpg|right|thumb|[[Harrison Opera House]]]]
Norfolk has a variety of performing groups with regular seasons and which also make appearances in the city's annual festivals. The [[Virginia Symphony Orchestra]], founded in 1920, has been leader in the regional arts scene. Directed by [[JoAnn Falletta]] from 1991 until 2020, the orchestra's music director is now [[Eric Jacobsen (conductor)|Erik Jacobsen]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Denise |last2=Martin |first2=Saleen |last3=Parker |first3=Stacey |title=From Chesapeake native's 'Tina,' to Missy and Pharrell: An arts and culture review of 2021 |date=December 26, 2021 |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/entertainment/arts/vp-db-arts-cultural-year-in-review-122621-20211226-hlo34panynhqfoxxzgdnzqlgqi-story.html |publisher=The Virginian Pilot}}</ref> Most Norfolk performances take place at [[Chrysler Hall]] in the [[Norfolk Scope|Scope]] complex downtown. The orchestra provides musicians for many other performing arts organizations in the area.<ref name="Virginia Symphony">{{cite web |url=http://www.virginiasymphony.org/ |title=Virginia Symphony |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Symphony |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611100831/http://www.virginiasymphony.org/ |archive-date=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Virginia Stage Company, founded in 1968, is one of the country's leading regional theaters and produces a full season of plays in the [[Wells Theatre]] downtown. The company shares facilities with the [[Governor's School for the Arts]].<ref name="Virginia Stage Company">{{cite web |url=http://www.vastage.com/ |title=Virginia Stage Company |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Stage Company}}</ref>'

The [[Virginia Opera]] was founded in Norfolk in 1974. Its artistic director since its inception has been Peter Mark,<ref>{{cite web |author=Virginia Opera at www.vaopera.org |url=http://www.vaopera.org/html/companyinfo/staff.cfm |title=Virginia Opera Website |publisher=Vaopera.org |access-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312192832/http://www.vaopera.org/html/companyinfo/staff.cfm |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> who conducted his 100th opera production for the VOA in 2008. Though performances are staged statewide, the company's principal venue is the [[Harrison Opera House]] in the [[Ghent district]].<ref name="Virginia Opera">{{cite web |url=http://www.vaopera.org/ |title=Virginia Opera |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Opera}}</ref>

Large-scale concerts are held at either the [[Norfolk Scope]] arena or the [[Ted Constant Convocation Center]] at [[Old Dominion University|ODU]], while [[Norva Theatre|The Norva]] provides a more intimate atmosphere for smaller groups. Other Norfolk cultural venues include the [[Attucks Theatre]], the Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center (formerly the Loew's State Theater) and the Naro Expanded Cinema.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}