After serving six months as Interim General Director, John-Paul Schaefer has been officially appointed General Director and CEO of Virginia Opera.
“I am honored to be entrusted with this role at such an important moment for Virginia Opera,” said Schaefer. “Our mission is more vital than ever—to bring bold, relevant, and artistically excellent opera to communities across the Commonwealth.”
Helping Schaefer achieve his vision “emphasizes long-term sustainability, growth in fundraising and education, artistic excellence and positioning Virginia Opera as a resilient and innovative cultural leader across Virginia” will be Artistic Director Adam Turner, who inked a deal to extend his contract with the Opera through the 2027-28 season.
“I’m honored to continue my work with Virginia Opera and to build on the momentum of our incredible 50th Anniversary Season,” said Turner. “The opportunity to lead this company into the next chapter—exploring bold ideas, nurturing emerging talent, and creating meaningful experiences for our audiences—is both humbling and deeply inspiring.”