Damien Geter
Suite from Loving v. Virginia
Duration: 20'
Instrumentation: Orchestra
Suite from Loving v. Virginia, Damien Geter (2025) 20'
from the opera Loving v. Virginia
for orchestra
The opera Loving v. Virginia, commissioned by Virginia Opera and The Richmond Symphony, tells the harrowing story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who married in 1958. Although they wed in Washington, D.C., their marriage was considered illegal in their home state of Virginia at the time. Their case ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967, which ruled that laws banning interracial marriage were unconstitutional.
The Suite from Loving v. Virginia preserves the opera’s central musical themes and dramatic arc. These include the home theme; the music of the law—encompassing the Supreme Court (m. 22), the Sheriff/Judge (m. 194), and the monotonous “law chorus” (m. 201); as well as the love theme (m. 93) and the dream theme (m. 488). To me, the longing for home lies at the heart of the story. The suite opens with the home theme and follows many winding paths and challenges until Richard and Mildred finally return home in the end.
Orchestral instrumentation: 2.2.3.2/4.3.3.1/timp.3 perc/strings
Orchestral performance parts are available via rental.
Shipping & Returns
Physical copies ship in 2-3 business days.
Digital copies delivered to customer email upon checkout.
Returns accepted for physical copies within 30 days of delivery.
Returns are not accepted for digital products.
About the Work
Duration: 20'
Instrumentation: Orchestra
Commissioned by: Commissioned by the Richmond Symphony
Pages: 89
