About Us
Supporting the Arts
Since 2007, we’ve been bringing the wonder, magic, and feeling of opera to Loudoun County. Through our partnerships with venues, residents, businesses, and more, we invite the community of Loudoun County to exceptional cultural events, right here at home.
our mission
Committed to excellence in the performing arts, LLO enriches the cultural climate of our community by providing exceptional productions in both traditional and innovative venues for our local performers to showcase their talents and for aspiring professional singers to launch their careers in leading opera houses. Loudoun Lyric Opera is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.
Our Story
2007
Founded
Founded by Pamela Butler, we presented our first production, Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte.
2008-2013
Opera Full-Speed Ahead!
Over the next several years, LLO produces numerous famous operas, including Don Giovanni, The Merry Widow, and Hansel & Gretel.
2014
Norton: A Civil War Opera
LLO commissions its first new operatic work, Norton: A Civil War Opera, with music by composer and pianist David Chavez and libretto by Meredith Bean McMath. DC Theatre Arts hails it as “rich and moving.”
2022
New Leadership
In the midst of the pandemic, our founder and president emeritus leads us in one more production, Carmen, before the board turns to the leadership of three local singers – Shelby Milgram, Tanya Langlois, and Ceri Gerrish Foggarty.
2023
Artistic Director
In the journey for growth and expansion, the board appoints Mark Irchai as Artistic Director, following successful performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti and Douglas Moore’s Gallantry.
2024 - present
The Magic Flute and beyond!
LLO embarks on its first production under the new artistic leadership – Die Zauberflöte! This marks the first step in an artistic and strategic 5-year plan initiated by the Artistic Director.