The Victorian Lyric Opera Company & The Forgotten Opera Company
P.O. Box 10391 | Rockville, MD 20849-0391 | 301-576-5672 | victorianlyricopera@gmail.com
History of The Victorian Lyric Opera Company and The Forgotten Opera Company
VLOC was founded in 1978 to perform musical works of the Victorian era. Their first show was Trial By Jury paired with The Sorcerer. Since that time they have performed all but two of the Gilbert & Sullivan canon many times over. They have also branched out into other European operettas and even grand opera, Mozart's The Magic Flute & Donezetti's The Elixir of Love. The mission of the company has been and continues to be to provide high quality performances of light operatic works, providing educational and performance opportunities to our community.
The Forgotten Opera Company (FOC) was spawned in 2004 by a ragtag group of creative artists in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Our goal is to connect the community to opera by providing quality productions that are both affordable and accessible to our audiences. FOC celebrates fresh interpretations of the classics and innovative explorations of lesser known works. We promote non-traditional casting and the use of local talent. FOC is committed to connecting opera back to the community through a variety of service projects and educational outreach programs.
In 2011, The Victorian Lyric Opera Company merged with The Forgotten Opera Company, in order to strengthen both companies, and continue to bring quality operetta and opera to the Greater Washington Metropolitan era.
Critical acclaim
"Regional theatre is not supposed to be crisp, polished, and professional, but that is exactly what VLOC delivers." -Montgomery Gazette
"The Victorian Lyric Oopera Company over the years has brought wonderfully energetic and entertaining productions of Gilbert and Sullivan's best to the area." -The Washington Post
"The Victorian Lyric Opera Company mounts solid productions of the Savoy operas of Gilbert and Sullivan with great attention to recreating the original approaches...they succeed in bringing these marvelous pieces to vibrant, enjoyable life." -Potomac Stages
"VLOC has many talented singers/actors, perfectly tailored to the G&S mode." -Montgomery Gazette
"...avoids the traps of over-familiarity by presenting a high-quality cast, well-rehearsed orchestra, and beautifully appointed set." -Montgomery Gazette