Long Beach Opera - Long Beach | 23 January 2021 |
You've been granted free access to this page.
Take a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL or SUBSCRIBE today to access the full content of theoperacritic.com.
Free access
Performance reviews
Key | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
King ArthurLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() ![]() |
Pow! Zap! Zowie! Wowie! -or- Arthur, King of Long Beach |
![]() |
Presto change-o: he’s King Arthur in his own head |
![]() |
Hang onto your crowns! |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
King Arthur meets Trump and Superman in Long Beach |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera pairs Purcell with agitprop |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera reimagines legend of King Arthur |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s cartoon treatment of Purcell’s ‘King Arthur’ is an ill fit |
![]() |
The twenty-twenty season is off to a rollicking start |
![]() |
The Central Park FiveLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Central Park Five as opera pulls no punches |
![]() |
‘The Central Park Five,’ now an astounding world premiere opera |
![]() |
In the Penal ColonyLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
Long Beach Opera gets political with in the Penal Colony |
![]() |
The Black CatLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() ![]() |
Government shutdown hits the Long Beach Opera stage, but ‘The Black Cat’ goes on |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s ‘Black Cat’ overcomes government shutdown to prowl on stage |
![]() |
It was the Baroque instrumentalists who stole the most honors |
![]() |
Le vin herbéLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
Love a potion for success at LBO |
![]() |
'The Love Potion': Tristan and Isolde, the Long Beach Opera way |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera intoxicates with The Love Potion |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Romance and tragedy mix in The Love Potion |
![]() |
Bernard Holcomb and Jamie Chamberlin were romantic lovers who held onlookers’ interest |
![]() |
The Invention of MorelLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
A new operatic sci-fi take on eternal life |
![]() |
Moody, mysterious Morel |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s ‘Invention of Morel’ offers a fascinating journey |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Mysterious Invention of Morel haunts Long Beach Opera |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera raises life's questions, loudly, in Stewart Copeland's 'Invention of Morel' |
![]() |
The ConsulLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Patricia Racette made her role debut here as Magda Sorel |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera makes statement with "Consul" |
![]() |
Bureaucratic nightmare; operatic dream |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
1950 opera still a powerful affirmation of humanity |
![]() |
FridaLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | ![]() |
A worthy night out at the opera |
![]() |
Rodriguez’s score is eclectic, sprinkled with plenty of Latin-based rhythms and styles |
![]() |
Small cast, big performances and beautiful pictures make LBO’s ‘Frida’ a can’t-miss treat |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Long Beach Opera's presentation of Robert Xavier Rodríguez's bio-opera about Frida Kahlo is often delightful |
![]() |
The acting and singing was consistently excellent from the small cast |
![]() |
‘Frida’ se despidió, pero no será fácilmente olvidada |
![]() |
A real life opera |
![]() |
Bio-op brings revolutionary artists alive |
![]() |
Sensuality and sorrow |
![]() |
The life of Frida Kahlo, an opera waiting to happen |
![]() |
Mexico’s Wonder Woman: Long Beach Opera tells the tale of Frida Kahlo |
![]() |
Death haunts Frida Kahlo's long and clumsily winding road to the lyric stage |
![]() |
As OneLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
"As One" harmonizes |
![]() |
Transgender opera “As One” gets transcendent Southern California premiere |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s thoughtful “As One” |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
As One strips away the showy conventions of classic opera |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s ‘As One’ takes on the issue of transgender metamorphosis |
![]() |
'As One,' the every(wo)man transgender opera |
![]() |
As One is not what you generally get at a night at the opera |
![]() |
The Perfect AmericanLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Long Beach Opera premieres Glass opera |
![]() |
An opera about Walt Disney, in commuting distance of Disneyland |
![]() |
The mouse that roared: Philip Glass takes on Walt Disney |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Long Beach Opera’s ‘Perfect American’ examines the life of Walt Disney |
![]() |
The Fairy QueenLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
A gamble pays off: Long Beach Opera transports 1692 'Fairy Queen' to modern-day Vegas |
![]() |
The NewsLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
There’s no getting around the fact that The News is a one-trick pony |
![]() |
Is it news or entertainment? |
![]() |
La voix humaineLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
Hanging on the telephone (literally) |
![]() |
Definitely not your run-of-the-mill night at the opera |
![]() |
Soprano Suzan Hanson dials up a masterful performance in Long Beach Opera’s ‘La Voix Humaine’ |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Simple enough and simply, effectively delivered |
![]() |
Suzan Hanson brings immediacy, authenticity to Long Beach Opera's 'La Voix Humaine' |
![]() |
FallujahLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() |
Blood, sand and tears: A foreign correspondent's view of the opera 'Fallujah' |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera goes to war |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera's 'Fallujah' tackles the Iraq war with authentic anguish |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Fallujah the opera viscerally exposes the casualties of war |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s ‘Fallujah’ is a powerful return to the battlefield |
![]() |
On the emotional front, Fallujah is effective enough |
![]() |
An Iraq war vet with PTSD turned turmoil into art |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera gives premiere of Iraq War opera 'Fallujah' |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
Long Beach Opera premieres 'Fallujah'
World premiere of opera 'Fallujah' in Long Beach may be among former Marine's most difficult missions.
World premiere of opera 'Fallujah' in Long Beach may be among former Marine's most difficult missions.
CandideLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() |
Forgive LBO any errors, because mostly it's on target |
![]() |
Spirited and sloppy |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera delivers a brisk, stylish 'Candide' |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Long Beach Opera's "Candide" solves notorious problem |
![]() |
Tragedy with a smile at Long Beach Opera |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s clever new ‘Candide’ |
![]() |
LBO’s Candide lives or dies almost entirely on its performances |
![]() |
'Candide' is revisited in a playfully imaginative staging by Long Beach Opera |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera opens with a hit |
![]() |
Hydrogen JukeboxLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() ![]() |
LBO once again demonstrates its resourcefulness and originality |
![]() |
The simple beauty of the final unaccompanied chorale is the musical heart of the work |
![]() |
LBO’s modern song cycle brings ’60s back to life |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
What happens when Allen Ginsberg and Philip Glass create an opera about America? |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera produces an unsettling dark journey into a neon American apocalypse |
![]() |
In Hydrogen Jukebox, the most stunning moments feature either vocalise or spoken text |
![]() |
A timely illumination of the American experience |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera makes warehouse sing with Philip Glass' 'Hydrogen Jukebox' |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
A man of many voices
Roberto Perlas Gomez in “Hydrogen Jukebox”.
Roberto Perlas Gomez in “Hydrogen Jukebox”.
Marilyn ForeverLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
Fifty-three years following her death, Marilyn continues to fascinate us |
![]() |
Why is this Marilyn Monroe opera so un-sexy? |
![]() |
Starlets and bible black |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Long Beach Opera unveils intriguing, passionate ‘Marilyn Forever’ |
![]() |
In 'Marilyn Forever,' Monroe yearns to be merely herself |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera offers a brooding 'Marilyn Forever' |
![]() |
Thérèse RaquinLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() ![]() |
Oui, elle regrette tout |
![]() |
A mostly smashing evening of musical theater, intelligent and involving |
![]() |
Nasty people make great opera for LBO |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Thérèse Raquin lives again at Long Beach Opera |
![]() |
This is an opera that is a feast for the ears |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera delivers a bloodless Thérèse Raquin |
![]() |
Carnal crisis at Long Beach Opera |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera revives 'Thérèse Raquin' |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera puts its own spin on 'Thérèse Raquin' |
![]() |
The Difficulty of Crossing a FieldLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() ![]() |
Where what is, is not |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera revives David Lang’s ‘The Difficulty of Crossing a Field’ |
![]() |
Superior recent opera, suffused with imponderable mystery, receives an extraordinary production |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Nothing is as it disappears |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera finds no difficulty with ‘Crossing a Field’ |
![]() |
A Fiddler's TaleLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
Long Beach Opera shines in double bill |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s inspired take on ‘A Solider’s Tale’ may not be everyone’s taste |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera offers a provocative Stravinsky/Wynton Marsalis pairing |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
A prismatic reinvention of the original as contemporary theater |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera stretches Stravinsky with two makeovers |
![]() |
An American Soldier's TaleLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
Long Beach Opera shines in double bill |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera’s inspired take on ‘A Solider’s Tale’ may not be everyone’s taste |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera offers a provocative Stravinsky/Wynton Marsalis pairing |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
A prismatic reinvention of the original as contemporary theater |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera stretches Stravinsky with two makeovers |
![]() |
The Death of KlinghofferLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Klinghoffer ode packs powerful drama |
![]() |
Controversy dominates 'The Death of Klinghoffer' |
![]() |
A scintillating production that brings out surprising subtleties as well as intractable issues |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
A powerful rendition of a difficult score |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera's 'Death of Klinghoffer' illuminates world |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera shows courage, passion with ‘The Death of Klinghoffer’ |
![]() |
Klinghoffer sings again at Long Beach Opera |
![]() |
Queenie PieLong Beach OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() ![]() |
Long Beach Opera's expert cast, historic venue round out Duke Ellington's unfinished 'Queenie Pie' |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera spins up Ellington scrap Queenie Pie |
![]() |
'Queenie Pie' picks up where Duke Ellington left off |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Long Beach Opera’s ‘Queenie Pie’ should be appreciated for what it is |
![]() |

Reviews search
Performance schedule
Glass
20 to 28 Mar 2021
Soper
17 to 18 Apr 2021
Schönberg
17 to 18 Apr 2021
Maxwell Davies
15 to 23 May 2021
Lewis
20 to 27 Jun 2021
News & Articles
Long Beach Opera announces fall 2020 programming |
Long Beach Opera has announced three programs for its fall 2020 season. All performances and events will be presented virtually. |
![]() |
An astonishing and brave 2021 season from Long Beach Opera |
Long Beach Opera will be entering an interesting interim season in the winter and spring of 2021, and not just because the schedule will be at the mercy of a pandemic. |
![]() |
A Long Beach Opera coup |
Star director Yuval Sharon will plan 2021 season. |
![]() |
Andreas Mitisek will leave Long Beach Opera after 2020 season |
Longtime Long Beach Opera artistic and general director, Andreas Mitisek, will leave the company September 2020 following its 2020 season. |
![]() |
Long Beach Opera announces 2018-2019 season |
Long Beach Opera celebrates two milestones in the 2018-2019 season - its fortieth anniversary and the 20th anniversary of Andreas Mitisek leading the company as artistic director. |
![]() |