$1.25M Donation Ignites Artistic Expansion at LBO

Photo from THE FEAST, a remarkable collaboration with the Martha Graham Dance Company, LBO presented in 2023.

Long Beach Opera is thrilled to announce a monumental moment in its history with the reception of a $1.25 million gift from the late long-time Board member Carol Richards. Serving on LBO's Board since its inception in 1979 until her passing in 2021, Richards bequeathed this historic gift through her estate plans, and it has recently come to fruition.

This unprecedented gift will empower LBO to make strategic investments, gradually expanding its artistic offerings over the next five years. The company plans to celebrate its 50th-anniversary season with enhanced capabilities, thanks to Richards' visionary contribution.

In tandem with this transformative donation, LBO has received a $100,000 capacity-building grant from the Perenchio Foundation of Los Angeles. This grant has been instrumental in upgrading LBO's ticketing and database platform, launching in conjunction with the sale of single tickets for the much-anticipated 2024 season, which begins today.

General Director and CEO Jennifer Rivera stated, “We are so grateful to both Carol Richards and the Perenchio Foundation for their belief that LBO, as a hub for artistic innovation and expression that supports emerging artists and adventurous programming, warrants major support. We plan to utilize these gifts to make important investments in the future of LBO, allowing the company to thrive and grow, while continuing to focus on changing the artistic landscape with non-traditional programming like our 2024 season.”

Single tickets for this exciting season are now on sale, utilizing LBO's new ticketing platform. Two and Three-Opera Subscriptions also remain available for those seeking an immersive operatic experience.