Special Underwriting For "Agrippina"

Virginia Opera offers its sincere appreciation to the family of Richmond's Anna Lauder Garner, which is honoring her memory by underwriting the company's current production of G.F. Handel's Agrippina, a statewide premiere that is being performed in Virginia for the first time in the nearly 300 years since its composition.

Mrs. Garner, a local philanthropist and arts patron, was instrumental in bringing Virginia Opera to Richmond and continued her support of the Opera and other organizations until her death in October 2005. According to members of her family, Mrs. Garner's fondness for baroque opera is part of the reason the Handel comedy was chosen to honor her.

The production, which includes among its cast members Richmond native Matthew Burns in the bass-baritone role of Pallante, will be performed at the Landmark Theater Feb. 16 and 18, following its performances in Norfolk and Fairfax. -- www.dc-opera.org