2024-25 Long Beach OperaAll Oliveros
On December 15, 2024, our audience embarked on a transformative journey with us as we launched our year-long celebration of revolutionary composer, Pauline Oliveros. This exclusive daytime event offered an intimate introduction to her bold, ritualistic works, centered around Earth Ears: A Sonic Ritual—a meditative, interactive text score that invited performers and audience members to engage in a profound act of communal Deep Listening. This special one-time-only performance was a uniquely immersive experience that set the stage for an exploration of sound, listening, and daring new ideas
Earth Ears: A Sonic ritual
Experience El Relicario De Los Animales (1979) — one of Oliveros’ most emotional scores, exploring the interconnectedness of humans and animals through improvisational sound. Renowned mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton takes on the dual role of singer and leader, challenging operatic tradition while delving into themes of human instinct and the evocative power of the voice. Featuring staged sequences, a grand orchestral ensemble, and brilliant soprano Brenda Rae as both singer and percussionist. Set in a historic indoor-outdoor venue rich with the legacy of Los Angeles County, this event reveals the evocative depth of Oliveros' inventive sonic landscapes.
El Relicario De Los Animales
The Library of MapsStep aboard the iconic RMS Queen Mary for the landmark premiere of a new performance edition of Oliveros and Roth’s groundbreaking opera—only the second presentation since its debut in 2001. Audiences will have the chance to experience one of Oliveros’ most inventive, improvisational and poetic operas set against the ocean liner’s storied 1960s backdrop. This new production pays tribute to Pauline Oliveros' experimental spirit, bringing together actors, singers, visual art, dance and deep poetic meaning with a rare orchestral ensemble featuring a diverse chamber ensemble of common and unusual sounds. The two performances, each slightly distinct, offer an immersive encounter with Oliveros' decades of boundary-dissolving musical innovation, all within one of Long Beach’s most treasured historic venues.
