Virginia Opera and the Richmond Symphony will present the world premiere of “Loving v. Virginia,” a new opera that tells the story of Mildred and Richard Loving, whose legal battle led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down laws banning interracial marriage. The production will be the final presentation of Virginia Opera’s 50th Anniversary Season.

The opera will debut in Norfolk on April 25 and 27, with additional performances in Fairfax on May 3 and 4, and in Richmond from May 9 to 11.

The opera was co-commissioned by Virginia Opera and the Richmond Symphony in May 2022. Damien Geter, a Petersburg native, is the composer, with Jessica Murphy Moo serving as the librettist.

Reflecting on the significance of the project, Geter shared that the historical importance of Loving v. Virginia has stayed with him since his teenage years.

“I’m finding there are many who are unfamiliar with this landmark case,”he said, “Coming back home to Virginia and collaborating with Virginia Opera and working with Jessica Murphy Moo to tell the story of Mildred and Richard Loving is important not only for the sake of honoring their legacy, but also for ensuring the future of the art form.”

Moo reflected on the deeper personal connection to the story, explaining that “Mildred and Richard Loving made my own family possible. What an honor and responsibility it is to be part of a team telling their story. Think for a moment about what they achieved — they were only two people and yet they stood up to legalized racism and enacted lasting change. Their story is an inspiration. And it’s also an opera!”

Virginia Opera Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Adam Turner spoke about the significance of the opera’s premiere.

“Considering how best to commemorate VA Opera’s 50th Anniversary of producing opera in the Commonwealth has been the subject of countless conversations for a number of years,” he said. With composer and Virginia-native Damien Geter, and the powerful, courageous story of Loving v. Virginia, we are thrilled to meet this incredible moment for opera in Virginia.”

The cast for the premiere includes Flora Hawk as Mildred Jeter Loving, Jonathan Michie as Richard Loving, Troy Cook as ACLU lawyer Bernard Cohen, Christian Sanders as ACLU lawyer Philip Hirschkop, and Benjamin Werley as Sheriff Brooks and Judge Leon M. Bazile. Other cast members include Adam Richardson as Raymond Green, Tesia Kwarteng as Annette Byrd, Phillip Bullock as Theoliver “Jake” Jeter, Melody Wilson as Musiel Byrd Jeter, and Alissa Anderson as Lola Allen Loving.

Performances of “Loving v. Virginia” will take place in Norfolk on April 25 and 27 at the Harrison Opera House; in Fairfax on May 3 and 4 at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University; and in Richmond from May 9 to 11 at the Dominion Energy Center.